diff --git a/docs/cli/setup.md b/docs/cli/setup.md
index b1fbfcc2338..74c7c8854ac 100644
--- a/docs/cli/setup.md
+++ b/docs/cli/setup.md
@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@ openclaw setup --wizard
 Notes:
 
 - Plain `openclaw setup` initializes config + workspace without the full onboarding flow.
+- After plain setup, run `openclaw configure` to choose models, channels, Gateway, plugins, skills, or health checks.
 - Onboarding auto-runs when any onboarding flags are present (`--wizard`, `--non-interactive`, `--mode`, `--import-from`, `--import-source`, `--import-secrets`, `--remote-url`, `--remote-token`).
 - If Hermes state is detected, interactive onboarding can offer migration automatically. Import onboarding requires a fresh setup; use [Migrate](/cli/migrate) for dry-run plans, backups, and overwrite mode outside onboarding.
 
diff --git a/src/commands/setup.test.ts b/src/commands/setup.test.ts
index 64e835c820e..6bbc3d10ec6 100644
--- a/src/commands/setup.test.ts
+++ b/src/commands/setup.test.ts
@@ -48,6 +48,26 @@ describe("setupCommand", () => {
     });
   });
 
+  it("explains that plain setup only initializes local files", async () => {
+    await withTempHome(async (home) => {
+      const runtime = {
+        log: vi.fn(),
+        error: vi.fn(),
+        exit: vi.fn(),
+      };
+      const deps = createSetupDeps(home);
+
+      await setupCommand(undefined, runtime, deps);
+
+      const logs = runtime.log.mock.calls.map((call) => String(call[0])).join("\n");
+      expect(logs).toContain(
+        "Setup complete: local config, workspace, and session directories are ready.",
+      );
+      expect(logs).toContain("openclaw configure");
+      expect(logs).toContain("openclaw setup --wizard");
+    });
+  });
+
   it("adds gateway.mode=local to an existing config without overwriting workspace", async () => {
     await withTempHome(async (home) => {
       const runtime = {
diff --git a/src/commands/setup.ts b/src/commands/setup.ts
index 6e113165692..0f84d052fb9 100644
--- a/src/commands/setup.ts
+++ b/src/commands/setup.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import fs from "node:fs/promises";
 import JSON5 from "json5";
 import { z } from "zod";
+import { formatCliCommand } from "../cli/command-format.js";
 import type { OptionalBootstrapFileName } from "../config/types.agent-defaults.js";
 import type { OpenClawConfig } from "../config/types.js";
 import type { RuntimeEnv } from "../runtime.js";
@@ -206,4 +207,10 @@ export async function setupCommand(
   )();
   await (deps.mkdir ?? fs.mkdir)(sessionsDir, { recursive: true });
   runtime.log(`Sessions OK: ${shortenHomePath(sessionsDir)}`);
+  runtime.log("");
+  runtime.log("Setup complete: local config, workspace, and session directories are ready.");
+  runtime.log(
+    `Next: run ${formatCliCommand("openclaw configure")} to choose models, channels, Gateway, plugins, skills, and health checks.`,
+  );
+  runtime.log(`For full first-run onboarding, run ${formatCliCommand("openclaw setup --wizard")}.`);
 }