---
summary: "OpenClaw is a multi-channel gateway for AI agents that runs on any OS."
read_when:
- Introducing OpenClaw to newcomers
title: "OpenClaw"
---
# OpenClaw 🦞
> _"EXFOLIATE! EXFOLIATE!"_ — A space lobster, probably
Any OS gateway for AI agents across WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, iMessage, and more.
Send a message, get an agent response from your pocket. Plugins add Mattermost and more.
Install OpenClaw and bring up the Gateway in minutes.
Guided setup with `openclaw onboard` and pairing flows.
Launch the browser dashboard for chat, config, and sessions.
## What is OpenClaw?
OpenClaw is a **self-hosted gateway** that connects your favorite chat apps — WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, iMessage, and more — to AI coding agents like Pi. You run a single Gateway process on your own machine (or a server), and it becomes the bridge between your messaging apps and an always-available AI assistant.
**Who is it for?** Developers and power users who want a personal AI assistant they can message from anywhere — without giving up control of their data or relying on a hosted service.
**What makes it different?**
- **Self-hosted**: runs on your hardware, your rules
- **Multi-channel**: one Gateway serves WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, and more simultaneously
- **Agent-native**: built for coding agents with tool use, sessions, memory, and multi-agent routing
- **Open source**: MIT licensed, community-driven
**What do you need?** Node 24 (recommended), or Node 22 LTS (`22.16+`) for compatibility, an API key from your chosen provider, and 5 minutes. For best quality and security, use the strongest latest-generation model available.
## How it works
```mermaid
flowchart LR
A["Chat apps + plugins"] --> B["Gateway"]
B --> C["Pi agent"]
B --> D["CLI"]
B --> E["Web Control UI"]
B --> F["macOS app"]
B --> G["iOS and Android nodes"]
```
The Gateway is the single source of truth for sessions, routing, and channel connections.
## Key capabilities
WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, and iMessage with a single Gateway process.
Add Mattermost and more with extension packages.
Isolated sessions per agent, workspace, or sender.
Send and receive images, audio, and documents.
Browser dashboard for chat, config, sessions, and nodes.
Pair iOS and Android nodes for Canvas, camera, and voice-enabled workflows.
## Quick start
```bash
npm install -g openclaw@latest
```
```bash
openclaw onboard --install-daemon
```
```bash
openclaw channels login
openclaw gateway --port 18789
```
Need the full install and dev setup? See [Quick start](/start/quickstart).
## Dashboard
Open the browser Control UI after the Gateway starts.
- Local default: [http://127.0.0.1:18789/](http://127.0.0.1:18789/)
- Remote access: [Web surfaces](/web) and [Tailscale](/gateway/tailscale)
## Configuration (optional)
Config lives at `~/.openclaw/openclaw.json`.
- If you **do nothing**, OpenClaw uses the bundled Pi binary in RPC mode with per-sender sessions.
- If you want to lock it down, start with `channels.whatsapp.allowFrom` and (for groups) mention rules.
Example:
```json5
{
channels: {
whatsapp: {
allowFrom: ["+15555550123"],
groups: { "*": { requireMention: true } },
},
},
messages: { groupChat: { mentionPatterns: ["@openclaw"] } },
}
```
## Start here
All docs and guides, organized by use case.
Core Gateway settings, tokens, and provider config.
SSH and tailnet access patterns.
Channel-specific setup for WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, and more.
iOS and Android nodes with pairing, Canvas, camera, and device actions.
Common fixes and troubleshooting entry point.
## Learn more
Complete channel, routing, and media capabilities.
Workspace isolation and per-agent sessions.
Tokens, allowlists, and safety controls.
Gateway diagnostics and common errors.
Project origins, contributors, and license.