<h1>The Ultimate OpenClaw CLI Cheat Sheet (2026 Edition)</h1> <p>The OpenClaw Command Line Interface (CLI) is the control center for your AI agent. While you can interact with your agent through Telegram, WhatsApp, or the Chrome Extension, the CLI is where you manage the underlying infrastructure.</p> <p>Bookmark this cheat sheet to master the essential <code>openclaw</code> commands.</p> <hr> <h2>1. Gateway Management</h2> <p>The Gateway is the core WebSocket server that handles all agent logic, routing, and tool execution. Understanding the Gateway commands will allow you to keep your agent functional and optimize performance.</p> <pre><code># Start the gateway in the background openclaw gateway start # Check gateway status and uptime openclaw gateway status # Stop the gateway openclaw gateway stop # Restart the gateway (useful after config changes) openclaw gateway restart # Open the Web Control UI in your browser openclaw dashboard # View live logs from the gateway openclaw logs</code></pre> <p>These commands ensure that your agent's core systems are up and running smoothly. Common scenarios for using these commands:</p> <ul> <li>If your agent suddenly stops responding, try <code>openclaw gateway status</code> to check for any issues.</li> <li>After applying configuration changes (described in Section 5), use <code>openclaw gateway restart</code> to apply them seamlessly.</li> <li>Want to monitor real-time activities? Launch live logs with <code>openclaw logs</code>.</li> </ul> <hr> <h2>2. Cron & Automation</h2> <p>OpenClaw isn't just a chatbot; it's an autonomous worker. With powerful automation capabilities, you can delegate repetitive or time-sensitive tasks to your intelligent agent.</p> <pre><code># List all active cron jobs openclaw cron list # Add a new scheduled task (Interactive) openclaw cron add # Example: Schedule a daily 9 AM email summary openclaw cron add --schedule "0 9 * * *" --task "Summarize my unread emails and send to Telegram" # Remove a specific cron job by ID openclaw cron remove <job_id></code></pre> <p>Automation capabilities, like <code>cron</code>, are critical for getting the most out of your agent. Here are more advanced use cases to explore:</p> <ul> <li>Triggering data backups to Google Drive every night at midnight.</li> <li>Automatically summarizing and sharing the day's top news to your Slack channel.</li> <li>Running system health checks every Sunday to ensure your agent operates smoothly throughout the week.</li> </ul> <p>When scheduling tasks, make sure to test them thoroughly using interactive execution. For instance:</p> <pre><code># Execute and test the task logic directly without scheduling openclaw cron run --task "Summarize my unread emails"</code></pre> <p>Well-configured automation can transform OpenClaw into a reliable personal or organizational assistant.</p> <hr> <h2>3. Chat Channels & Messaging</h2> <p>Connecting OpenClaw to your preferred communication platforms ensures you stay informed and in control. Whether broadcasting updates, sending alerts, or managing channels, the following commands are essential:</p> <pre><code># Check the health of connected channels (Telegram, Discord, etc.) openclaw status # Send a message directly from the CLI openclaw message send --channel telegram --target @username --message "Hello from the terminal!" # Re-authenticate or add a new chat channel openclaw channels login # List all paired devices (like the Chrome Extension) openclaw devices list</code></pre> <p>Practical use cases include:</p> <ul> <li>Notifying your team about deployments directly from the CLI with a Slack message.</li> <li>Using <code>openclaw message send</code> to send urgent updates across multiple platforms simultaneously.</li> <li>Regularly auditing paired devices with <code>openclaw devices list</code> to ensure integration security.</li> </ul> <hr> <h2>4. Skills & Capabilities</h2> <p>Skills are modular plugins that allow your agent to adapt to specific tasks. From automation scripts to deep integrations, skills unlock the full potential of OpenClaw.</p> <pre><code># List all installed skills openclaw skills list # Audit your skills for missing dependencies openclaw skills audit</code></pre> <p>Skills can be managed and modified dynamically. For example:</p> <ul> <li>Discover new skills available on ClawHub and integrate them for specialized tasks.</li> <li>Use <code>openclaw skills audit</code> to check for dependency issues after adding new CI/CD capabilities.</li> <li>Add a skill that enables your agent to transcribe audio on demand using AI models.</li> </ul> <p>You can also write custom Python-based agent skills to solve niche problems specific to your project or organization.</p> <hr> <h2>5. Configuration & Setup</h2> <p>Proper configuration is crucial for securing and tailoring your OpenClaw instance. The CLI provides straightforward commands for managing and updating your configurations.</p> <pre><code># Run the interactive setup wizard openclaw configure # Set a specific config value (e.g., enable Tailscale mode) openclaw config set gateway.tailscale.mode on # Read a specific config value openclaw config get gateway.port # Run a system health check and auto-fix config errors openclaw doctor --fix</code></pre> <p>When configuring your instance, consider using environment-specific setups (e.g., dev/prod modes), and always perform health checks after applying new configurations to catch potential issues early.</p> <p>You can export your <code>openclaw.json</code> configuration for version control or backup:</p> <pre><code># Export current config to a file openclaw config export > backup-config.json</code></pre> <hr> <h2>6. Agent Workspace & Memory</h2> <p>Your OpenClaw agent's memory system is the foundation for its adaptability. Memory enables context retention, decision tracking, and self-improvement.</p> <pre><code># Reindex the agent's memory files (useful after manual edits) openclaw memory reindex # Search the agent's memory from the terminal openclaw memory search "What is my API key?"</code></pre> <p>Memory management tips:</p> <ul> <li>Use <code>openclaw memory reindex</code> if you manually edit memory files inside <code>~/.openclaw/workspace/</code>.</li> <li>To improve your agent's responses, review and curate entries in <code>memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md</code>.</li> </ul> <p>Curated memory is especially vital for organizations using OpenClaw across multiple scenarios, ensuring continuity and operational learning.</p> <hr> <h2>7. Security & Best Practices</h2> <p>As OpenClaw integrates deeply into your digital environment, keeping it secure is paramount.</p> <ul> <li>Always operate your gateway behind a firewall and avoid exposing default ports to the internet.</li> <li>Use the CLI to rotate keys and authenticate integrations securely.</li> <li>Enable permission checks on mission-critical skills to prevent unauthorized execution.</li> </ul> <p>Perform periodic audits with:</p> <pre><code># Identify potential security issues openclaw audit --security</code></pre> <p>This will scan your configuration, skills, and memory for common vulnerabilities.</p> <hr> <h2>FAQs</h2> <p><strong>Q1: How do I reset my OpenClaw installation?</strong></p> <p>A: First, back up your configuration and memory. Then run:</p> <pre><code># Reset all OpenClaw files, including Gateway data openclaw reset --hard</code></pre> <p>This command wipes your instance to its initial state.</p> <p><strong>Q2: Can OpenClaw send recurring reminders?</strong></p> <p>A: Yes. Use cron automation:</p> <pre><code>openclaw cron add --schedule "0 8 * * MON" --task "Remind me about weekly team meetings"</code></pre> <p>Replace the schedule and task according to your needs.</p> <p><strong>Q3: My Gateway won't start — what should I do?</strong></p> <p>A: Check for log errors:</p> <pre><code>openclaw logs</code></pre> <p>If logs reveal nothing, reconfigure your Gateway and restart:</p> <pre><code>openclaw configure openclaw gateway restart</code></pre> <p><strong>Q4: How do I know which skills are officially supported?</strong></p> <p>A: Use <code>openclaw skills list</code> to see installed skills and reference ClawHub for curated modules.</p> <p><strong>Q5: Can I import memory from another source?</strong></p> <p>A: Yes, but the structure must match OpenClaw's format. After importing, run:</p> <pre><code>openclaw memory reindex</code></pre> <hr> <h2>Takeaways</h2> <p>The OpenClaw CLI is not just a set of commands but a gateway to a modular, highly adaptable AI system. By mastering these tools, you can control your agent with precision, automate workflows, and extend your digital capabilities.</p> <p>From Gateway management to skill customization, OpenClaw empowers you to build, manage, and streamline your AI assistant infrastructure without friction. Keep experimenting, and remember: every powerful system starts with a well-understood foundation.</p> <h2>8. Advanced Debugging and Troubleshooting</h2> <p>As with any advanced software system, there will be times when debugging becomes necessary to ensure your OpenClaw setup operates as expected. The CLI provides granular tools for identifying and resolving issues.</p> <pre><code># Check for errors in real-time system logs openclaw logs --follow # Debug skill failures openclaw skills debug --name <skill_name> # Restart the agent with verbose logging enabled openclaw gateway restart --verbose </code></pre> <p>For instance, if you encounter errors during skill execution, use the debug command with the specific skill name:</p> <pre><code>openclaw skills debug --name transcribe-audio</code></pre> <p>This will provide detailed stack traces and environment-related information, helping you isolate the issue. Additionally, checking the agent logs is invaluable if your Gateway refuses to load specific configurations or integrations. You can combine log output with environment filtering:</p> <pre><code># Isolate logs for a specific task or tool openclaw logs | grep "TASK_NAME"</code></pre> <p>For persistent issues, exporting a diagnostic report can be helpful:</p> <pre><code># Generate a detailed diagnostic report to share with support openclaw support report --path diagnostic-report.zip</code></pre> <p>These debugging tools are indispensable for maintaining operational continuity, especially in production setups.</p> <hr> <h2>9. OpenClaw in Team Environments</h2> <p>While OpenClaw is excellent for individual use, it truly shines when deployed in collaborative team settings. The CLI offers features specifically designed to support multi-user workflows and shared resources.</p> <pre><code># Share a Gateway instance with team members openclaw users add --name "Alice" --role "developer" # Manage permissions for specific skills or tasks openclaw permissions set --user "Alice" --skill "use-database" --allow </code></pre> <p>For teams managing complex workflows, OpenClaw's permissions system allows you to define access levels for designated users. For example:</p> <pre><code># View permissions for a specific user openclaw permissions list --user Bob</code></pre> <p>You can also monitor team activity directly via logs to identify who initiated key tasks:</p> <pre><code># Filter logs by user openclaw logs | grep "User: @Alice"</code></pre> <p>Additionally, tools like webhook integrations ensure that changes made through the CLI are automatically communicated across channels like Slack or Discord. This promotes transparency in teams managing critical OpenClaw workflows.</p> <p>Use team-related commands effectively to foster collaboration while maintaining secure and focused workflows.</p> <hr> <h2>10. Comparison with Other Intelligent Agent Platforms</h2> <p>OpenClaw stands out not just for its modularity but also for its integration options and robust CLI support. How does it compare against competitors such as BotPress or Rasa?</p> <ul> <li><strong>BotPress:</strong> While BotPress provides a strong low-code platform, its reliance on GUI frameworks can make it cumbersome for fast, backend-only operations. OpenClaw excels with its CLI-driven setup, especially for developers comfortable with terminal workflows.</li> <li><strong>Rasa:</strong> Rasa is a leader in natural language processing, but its framework is narrowly focused on building conversational AI. OpenClaw offers broader automation possibilities, integrating tools, workflows, and memory-service capabilities in addition to messaging.</li> <li><strong>Zapier:</strong> Zapier simplifies automation for non-technical users. However, the lack of robust scripting or on-premise options makes it less suitable for developers needing tight control over automation logic.</li> </ul> <p>In summary, OpenClaw's customization, self-hosted gateway, and CLI capabilities cater to power users and developers aiming for maximum control over their automation networks.</p> <hr> <h2>A Step-by-Step Guide: Setting Up Skills</h2> <p>OpenClaw's Skills platform enables you to extend your agent’s functionalities using both built-in and custom modules. Here’s a detailed walkthrough for setting up a new skill:</p> <ol> <li><strong>Choose a Skill: </strong>Start by listing available skills.</li> </ol> <pre><code># List all available downloadable skills from ClawHub openclaw skills browse</code></pre> <p>Select a skill based on your requirements or proceed to create a custom module.</p> <ol start="2"> <li><strong>Install the Skill: </strong>Search and install the selected module.</li> </ol> <pre><code># Install an audio transcription skill openclaw skills install transcription-audio</code></pre> <ol start="3"> <li><strong>Audit Dependencies: </strong>Check for missing libraries required by the skill.</li> </ol> <pre><code># Ensure all dependencies are met openclaw skills audit</code></pre> <p>Resolve any flagged dependencies using provided instructions.</p> <ol start="4"> <li><strong>Test the Skill: </strong>Once installed, verify functionality.</li> </ol> <pre><code># Run a dry test to ensure proper functionality openclaw skills test transcription-audio</code></pre> <ol start="5"> <li><strong>Integrate it: </strong>Assign the skill into production workflows or schedule.</li> </ol> <pre><code># Schedule the skill every Monday openclaw cron add --schedule "0 10 * * MON" --task "Use transcription-audio"</code></pre> <p>By carefully testing and integrating, you can continuously expand OpenClaw's capabilities and streamline complex workflows with advanced custom logic.</p>