1# Getting Started with OpenClaw
2
3> From zero to your first AI conversation in 15 minutes.
4
5## Prerequisites
6
7- Node.js 18+ installed
8- An API key from Anthropic, OpenAI, or Google
9
10## Step 1: Install
11
12
13npm install -g openclaw
14
15
16## Step 2: Initialize
17
18
19openclaw init
20
21
22This creates a `~/.openclaw/` directory with:
23- `openclaw.json` — main configuration
24- `workspace/` — your agent's persistent workspace
25
26## Step 3: Configure
27
28Edit `~/.openclaw/openclaw.json`:
29
30
31{
32 "gateway": {
33 "models": {
34 "default": "anthropic/claude-sonnet-4-5"
35 }
36 }
37}
38
39
40Set your API key:
41
42
43export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=sk-ant-...
44
45
46## Step 4: Start
47
48
49openclaw start
50
51
52## Step 5: Connect a Channel
53
54Add Telegram, Discord, or another chat platform.
55See the [channel setup guide](https://docs.openclaw.ai/channels).
56
57## What's Next?
58
59- Browse [skills](#skills/) to extend your agent
60- Read [Build a Skill](#guides/build-a-skill) to create your own
61- Join [Discord](https://discord.com/invite/clawd)
62
63---
64
65*Welcome to the pack. 🐾*
66