Quick Start

0. Prerequisites (Read First)

NextClaw requires Node.js and npm.

1. Install Node.js (LTS recommended): nodejs.org
2. After installation, open a terminal and run:

node -v
npm -v

If you see versions (for example v20.x and 10.x), your environment is ready.

1. Open a Terminal

• Windows:
  • Press Win + R, type cmd, then press Enter;
  • or open PowerShell from search.
• macOS: Press Command + Space, type Terminal, then press Enter.
• Linux: Usually Ctrl + Alt + T, or open Terminal from the app menu.

2. Install NextClaw

npm i -g nextclaw

If you are installing the Linux desktop app on Debian / Ubuntu instead of the CLI, use:

• Linux Desktop Install (.deb + APT)

3. Start the Service

Start the gateway + config UI in the background:

nextclaw start

4. Open the UI and Complete First-Time Setup

Open http://127.0.0.1:55667 in your browser, then:

1. Add a provider (such as Qwen Portal / MiniMax / OpenRouter / OpenAI)
   • If you are unsure which path to choose after install, follow: First Step After Install: Choose Provider Path (Qwen Portal or API Key)
2. Select a default model
3. Save and send your first message

5. Useful Verification and Stop Commands

nextclaw --version
nextclaw status
nextclaw stop

6. Common Issues

npm / node command not found

Node.js is not installed correctly, or the terminal session was not restarted. Reinstall Node.js and reopen the terminal.

EACCES on macOS/Linux (global npm install permission)

Try reinstalling Node.js using the official installer first. If it persists, follow npm official docs to configure a user-level global directory.

http://127.0.0.1:55667 cannot be opened

1. Run nextclaw status to confirm the service is running.
2. If it is not running, start it:

nextclaw start

3. If it still does not open, restart:

nextclaw stop
nextclaw start

What's Next?

• What To Do After Setup — First actions after configuration
• Resource Hub — OpenClaw ecosystem projects and curated lists
• Configuration — Set up providers, models, and workspace
• Secrets Management — Keep keys out of config and rotate safely
• Channels — Connect to Discord, Telegram, Slack, and more
• Commands — Full CLI reference