Getting started · 6 min read · Updated 29 September 2026
How to get started with OpenClaw: a plain-English guide
OpenClaw lets you run your own private AI agent on a computer you own. Unlike a chatbot in a browser tab, an OpenClaw agent can read your files, use apps, run tasks and stay working in the background, all on your own machine, under your control.
What you need before you start
- •A Mac or PC you control (a Mac mini or spare laptop is ideal if you want it always on).
- •An internet connection.
- •An AI model provider account (for example an Anthropic or OpenAI key), or a local model.
- •About an hour of setup time, and a little comfort with the terminal, or someone to do it for you.
The high-level steps
- 1.Install OpenClaw on your computer.
- 2.Add a model provider so your agent can think.
- 3.Configure a chat channel so you can talk to it (web, or a messaging app).
- 4.Give it skills and connect the apps you want it to help with.
- 5.Set it to stay running so it is there whenever you need it.
What can it actually do once it is running?
A well set-up agent can manage your inbox and calendar, draft replies, run daily briefings, track projects, take notes, search the web, automate repetitive tasks and much more. The value comes from the setup: connecting the right apps and defining the right routines.
Frequently asked
Do I need to be technical to use OpenClaw?
To install it yourself, a little terminal comfort helps. To use it once it is set up, no. Services like Clawbuild exist so non-technical people can skip the setup entirely.
Does OpenClaw run in the cloud or on my computer?
It runs on a computer you control. That keeps your data with you rather than on a third party's servers.
How long does setup take?
A basic setup takes about an hour. More connected apps and automations take longer.
Rather have it done for you?
Clawbuild sets up your OpenClaw agent remotely in about an hour, then our access self-destructs. From AUD $149.