Getting Started with OpenClaw

OpenClaw is an open-source AI coding assistant that brings Claude Code-like capabilities with full model flexibility.

Installation

```bash

npm install -g openclaw

or

pipx install openclaw

```

Configure Your Backend

OpenClaw supports multiple LLM providers:

```bash

Use Anthropic Claude

export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=sk-ant-...

openclaw --model claude-sonnet-4

Use OpenAI

export OPENAI_API_KEY=sk-...

openclaw --model gpt-4o

Use local models via Ollama

ollama serve

openclaw --model ollama/deepseek-coder-v2

```

Basic Usage

```bash

Start interactive mode in your project

cd my-project

openclaw

Non-interactive mode

openclaw --prompt "Add error handling to all API routes"

With specific files

openclaw --files src/api/*.ts --prompt "Add input validation"

```

Key Differences from Claude Code

| Feature | Claude Code | OpenClaw |

|---------|------------|----------|

| Model Lock-in | Claude only | Any LLM |

| Source Code | Closed | MIT Open Source |

| Local Models | No | Yes (Ollama) |

| Official Support | Anthropic | Community |

| Security Audit | Anthropic team | Community review |

| Price | $20/mo (Pro) | Free (BYOK) |