Node.js

OpenClaw requires Node 22.14 or newer. Node 24 is the default and recommended runtime for installs, CI, and release workflows. Node 22 remains supported via the active LTS line. The installer script will detect and install Node automatically — this page is for when you want to set up Node yourself and make sure everything is wired up correctly (versions, PATH, global installs).

Check your version

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node -v

If this prints

Install Node

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```bash}
brew install node
```

Or download the macOS installer from [nodejs.org](https://nodejs.org/).

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```bash}
curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_24.x | sudo -E bash -
sudo apt-get install -y nodejs
```

**Fedora / RHEL:**

```bash}
sudo dnf install nodejs
```

Or use a version manager (see below).

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```powershell}
winget install OpenJS.NodeJS.LTS
```

**Chocolatey:**

```powershell}
choco install nodejs-lts
```

Or download the Windows installer from [nodejs.org](https://nodejs.org/).

Troubleshooting

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openclaw: command not found

This almost always means npm's global bin directory isn't on your PATH.

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Look for `<npm-prefix>/bin` (macOS/Linux) or `<npm-prefix>` (Windows) in the output.

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    ```bash}
    export PATH="$(npm prefix -g)/bin:$PATH"
    ```

    Then open a new terminal (or run `rehash` in zsh / `hash -r` in bash).
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Windows">
    Add the output of `npm prefix -g` to your system PATH via Settings → System → Environment Variables.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

Permission errors on

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npm install -g

(Linux)

If you see

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mkdir -p "$HOME/.npm-global"
npm config set prefix "$HOME/.npm-global"
export PATH="$HOME/.npm-global/bin:$PATH"

Add the

Related

• Install Overview — all installation methods
• Updating — keeping OpenClaw up to date
• Getting Started — first steps after install