OpenClaw System Requirements

Why Node.js 22+ is required

The runtime depends on modern Node features and up-to-date dependencies. Using an older Node version often leads to install failures or a gateway process that crashes under load.

Supported operating systems

macOS and Linux are supported natively. Windows users should run OpenClaw via WSL2 for a stable Unix-like environment. If you host on a server, Linux is the most predictable option.

Hardware guidance by use case

If you use cloud models only, CPU and memory requirements stay modest. If you plan to run local models or multiple channels at once, more RAM and storage help. Keep enough disk space for logs, caches, and skill data.

Minimum vs recommended

A modern laptop with 8 GB of RAM is usually enough for cloud models and light automation. For heavier workloads, 16 GB or more is a safer baseline. SSD storage is strongly recommended for faster logs, cache access, and model downloads.

Network considerations

OpenClaw can run entirely local, but many users connect to external model APIs. Make sure outbound HTTPS access is allowed and stable. If your network is locked down, plan for proxy settings and confirm that gateway ports are not exposed publicly.

User permissions and daemon mode

Install and run OpenClaw under a normal user account, not a privileged system account. If you use the daemon mode, verify that the service starts on boot and that its working directory is readable and writable. Incorrect permissions are a common cause of silent failures.

Quick environment checks

Check your Node version first, then run openclaw doctor after install. Fixing missing dependencies early saves hours of debugging later.

Official reference

Use the official install requirements as the authoritative source: Install requirements.