How to Install & Set Up ClawdBot: Complete Step-by-Step Guide
A practical setup guide: requirements, installation paths, model provider choice, onboarding, and connecting your first messaging channel.
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ClawdBot Field Guide is an independent, third‑party site that curates practical explanations from the included article set. This page is a topic hub built from multiple focused write-ups, so you can read end-to-end or jump directly to the subsection you need.
If you’re new, skim the table of contents first. If you’re evaluating an implementation or making a purchase decision, pay attention to the tradeoffs and check the references at the end of each subsection.
Below: 5 subsections that make up “How to Install & Set Up ClawdBot: Complete Step-by-Step Guide”.
System Requirements for ClawdBot
ClawdBot is designed to be approachable: if you can run a modern Node.js environment, you can run the gateway and start chatting. The “right” system requirements depend on whether you’re running locally for personal use or on a VPS for 24/7 uptime.
Baseline requirements (good for first-time setup)
- A modern OS (macOS, Linux, or Windows via WSL2)
- Current Node.js runtime (newer versions tend to work best for the CLI/gateway)
- Internet access if you’re using hosted model providers (OpenAI/Anthropic/etc.)
Hardware considerations
ClawdBot itself can run on modest hardware, but your workload determines needs:
- More automation + browser control: more RAM/CPU helps
- More concurrent chats/agents: CPU and network stability matter
- Local models: GPU/VRAM becomes the dominant constraint
Operational requirements (for 24/7 hosting)
- a stable machine/VPS
- a way to keep the gateway running (service manager / supervisor)
- secure remote access (VPN) if you manage it from elsewhere
References
ClawdBot Installation Options
ClawdBot can be installed in a few different ways depending on your environment and how opinionated you want the setup to be. The best option is usually the one that gets you to “first working chat” fastest—then you can harden and customize from there.
Common installation paths
1) Official quick install (recommended)
The quickest path is typically the official installer script, which sets up the CLI and helps you bootstrap configuration.
2) Manual install via Node.js package tooling
If you prefer explicit control (or you’re in a locked-down environment), you can install the CLI via standard Node.js package tooling and manage updates yourself.
3) Nix-based installation
If your infrastructure already uses Nix/NixOS, a Nix packaging approach can make installs reproducible across machines.
After installation: what to do next
- Run the onboarding/wizard flow.
- Choose a model provider and set credentials.
- Start the gateway and connect one messaging channel.
- Enable only the tools you actually need.
References
Choosing Your AI Model Provider
ClawdBot is an orchestration layer: you can swap the “brain” (model provider + model) without throwing away your workflows. Choosing a provider is less about “which model is smartest?” and more about matching the model to your cost, latency, and privacy constraints.
The selection criteria that matter
- Reliability: fewer errors and timeouts under your expected load.
- Cost predictability: scheduled jobs can surprise you if token usage drifts.
- Context length: long-running assistants often benefit from larger context windows.
- Tool-use quality: some models follow tool constraints more reliably than others.
- Data posture: are you comfortable sending prompts/content to the provider?
A pragmatic strategy
Many users end up with a two-tier setup:
- a higher-end model for complex workflows (planning, debugging, multi-step tasks)
- a cheaper model for routine summaries, classification, and daily digests
If you later move parts of your stack local (or through a gateway), ClawdBot’s architecture makes that transition easier.
References
Onboarding Wizard & Initial Configuration
The first 30 minutes with ClawdBot determine whether it feels like “another toy” or a real assistant. The onboarding wizard exists to reduce setup friction and guide you toward a secure, working baseline before you start adding power features.
What you should aim to configure first
1) Model access
Pick a model provider and set credentials. Don’t over-optimize—choose something you can easily change later once workflows are proven.
2) Workspace and memory boundaries
Decide where agent state and “memory” will live. Keep personal and work contexts separate early; it prevents cross-contamination and makes security simpler.
3) Gateway security posture
Treat the gateway as a control plane:
- keep it private by default
- use allowlists/pairing flows
- enable approvals for sensitive tools
A good first milestone
Your goal isn’t to configure everything. It’s to reach:
- one agent
- one messaging channel
- one useful workflow (e.g., a daily digest or a simple web check)
Once that works, you can expand safely.
References
Connecting Your First Messaging Channel
Connecting the first chat channel is the moment ClawdBot stops being “a CLI project” and becomes “an assistant you can actually use.” The most important part isn’t the mechanics of pairing—it’s doing it with the right security defaults so you don’t accidentally create a public automation endpoint.
Pick the fastest path to success
For a first channel, choose the one with:
- the simplest authentication flow for you
- the least risk if you misconfigure (test in a private chat)
- the highest likelihood you’ll use it daily
Pairing and access control basics
Treat pairing like SSH keys for your assistant:
- only approve chats/users you explicitly trust
- don’t reuse “test” configs for production
- keep the gateway private if possible (VPN/localhost)
Common setup problems
- pairing succeeds, but messages don’t route (wrong channel or agent mapping)
- tool calls fail because the agent lacks permissions/approvals
- connection drops because the gateway isn’t running as a persistent service
References
Related guides
These pages cover adjacent questions you’ll likely run into while exploring ClawdBot:
- Features & capabilities — What ClawdBot can do day-to-day.
- Security & privacy — Hardening and threat model.
- Pricing & costs — Budgeting for model + hosting.
- Troubleshooting — Fix common problems fast.