Guide

Start from zero and move through OpenClaw in the right order

This page is not an article archive. It is the main path. Read the intro to build the map, then move through the five stages until models, channels, identity, and automation all click together.

This path gets you to

01

A working first conversation

02

A clean mental model for auth and models

03

Telegram or another channel connected

04

Identity and long-term memory that change behavior

05

Skills installed and automation started

Episode 0

Use the intro to build the map before the stage path begins

Stop thinking of OpenClaw as another chat box. First understand why it is closer to a permanently online personal AI assistant platform.

Read the intro
OpenClaw from Scratch 01 | What It Really Is, Not Just Another Chatbot

Episode

Episode 01

OpenClaw from Scratch 01 | What It Really Is, Not Just Another Chatbot

5 min read

Stage path

Five stages and one path that avoids unnecessary loops

Each stage keeps the goal, core lesson, and support links in one place so the sequence is easier to hold in your head.

Phase 1

Install and Launch

Explain environment setup, installation, Gateway, and the first conversation in one pass.

Enter stage

Stage goals

  • Prepare the environment
  • Install OpenClaw successfully
  • Confirm Gateway is healthy
  • Finish the first conversation in Dashboard

Core lesson

OpenClaw from Scratch 02 | Get It Running First: Install, Onboard, Dashboard, Gateway

On day one, do not aim to configure everything. Get OpenClaw truly running and finish your first conversation in the Dashboard.

5 min readOpen lesson

Phase 2

Models and Authentication

Untangle Provider, Model, and Auth so the most common confusion stops feeling mysterious.

Enter stage

Stage goals

  • Understand the difference between Provider and Model
  • Clarify login and authentication paths
  • Pick one default model path
  • Reduce first-time debugging cost

Core lesson

OpenClaw from Scratch 03 | Hook Up the Brain: Models, Providers, and Auth

Separate Provider, Model, and Auth clearly, and take a stable default-model path the first time.

5 min readOpen lesson

Phase 3

Channels and Connections

Connect chat channels so the assistant leaves the browser and enters your real workflow entry points.

Enter stage

Stage goals

  • Understand the relationship between Gateway and Channel
  • Configure the first external channel
  • Complete Telegram pairing
  • Fix the common case where the bot is online but silent

Core lesson

OpenClaw from Scratch 04 | Make It Speak for Real: Telegram and Chat Channels

Connect Telegram as the first external chat entry point, and understand the real relationship between Gateway, Channel, and pairing.

5 min readOpen lesson

Phase 4

Identity and Memory

Use identity files and long-term memory to turn a generic AI into something that feels like your own teammate.

Enter stage

Stage goals

  • Understand the responsibilities of SOUL, USER, IDENTITY, and AGENTS
  • Write settings that actually change behavior
  • Define boundaries for long-term memory
  • Make the assistant feel more like a teammate than support staff

Core lesson

OpenClaw from Scratch 05 | Make It Feel Like Your Assistant: SOUL, USER, IDENTITY, AGENTS

The key to turning a template-flavored generic AI into something that feels like your assistant is writing SOUL, USER, IDENTITY, and AGENTS clearly.

6 min readOpen lesson

Phase 5

Automation

Install Skills, understand ClawHub, turn on Heartbeat and Cron, and let the assistant start doing work proactively.

Enter stage

Stage goals

  • Understand how Skills relate to tool implementations
  • Browse and install Skills confidently
  • Separate the jobs of Heartbeat and Cron
  • Build a minimal automation skeleton

Core lesson

OpenClaw from Scratch 06 | Get It Working: Skills, ClawHub, Heartbeat, Cron

Move OpenClaw from being able to chat to being able to act proactively, with a clear understanding of how Skills, Heartbeat, and Cron divide the work.

6 min readOpen lesson