openclaw/docs/start/onboarding-overview.md

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Overview of OpenClaw onboarding options and flows	Choosing an onboarding path Setting up a new environment	Onboarding Overview	Onboarding Overview

Onboarding Overview

OpenClaw supports multiple onboarding paths depending on where the Gateway runs and how you prefer to configure providers.

Choose your onboarding path

• CLI onboarding for macOS, Linux, and Windows (via WSL2).
• macOS app for a guided first run on Apple silicon or Intel Macs.

CLI onboarding

Run onboarding in a terminal:

openclaw onboard

Use CLI onboarding when you want full control of the Gateway, workspace, channels, and skills. Docs:

• Onboarding (CLI)
• openclaw onboard command

macOS app onboarding

Use the OpenClaw app when you want a fully guided setup on macOS. Docs:

• Onboarding (macOS App)

Custom Provider

If you need an endpoint that is not listed, including hosted providers that expose standard OpenAI or Anthropic APIs, choose Custom Provider in the CLI onboarding. You will be asked to:

• Pick OpenAI-compatible, Anthropic-compatible, or Unknown (auto-detect).
• Enter a base URL and API key (if required by the provider).
• Provide a model ID and optional alias.
• Choose an Endpoint ID so multiple custom endpoints can coexist.

For detailed steps, follow the CLI onboarding docs above.