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Install OpenClaw

This guide walks you through installing OpenClaw from the nilbox Store and completing the initial setup after installation. You only need to click one button — nilbox takes care of the rest.

Before You Start​

  • The nilbox desktop app must be installed and ready to launch.
  • Linux for nilbox must be set up on first launch.
  • A nilbox account is required to install apps from the Store.

If any of the above is missing, complete Installation first.

Step 1: Open the Store​

  1. Click the Start button in the upper right of the nilbox screen to start the runtime.

    Start VM

  2. Once the runtime is ready, select the Store menu from the left sidebar.

    Store Menu

Step 2: Select OpenClaw​

Find and select OpenClaw from the Store list to open its detail page.

Store OpenClaw

The detail page shows a description of OpenClaw, its version, and the Install button.

Step 3: Click the Install Button​

  1. Click the Install button on the OpenClaw detail page.
  2. If you are not signed in, you will be prompted to sign up or log in with a nilbox account.
  3. Once authenticated, the installation begins automatically.

What nilbox does behind the scenes:

  • Prepares all Linux dependencies required to run OpenClaw.
  • Downloads the official OpenClaw installation file directly from the OpenClaw provider's website.
  • Launches the installer automatically inside Linux for nilbox.
Where does the installer come from?

The nilbox Store does not host OpenClaw installation files. It only provides a verified installation script; the actual file is downloaded from the OpenClaw provider's website. See nilbox Store for details.

Step 4: Run the Installer​

The OpenClaw installer screen appears automatically inside nilbox. Follow the on-screen instructions.

  1. Confirm that the installer is running. Setup OpenClaw

  2. Accept the license agreement when prompted. License OpenClaw

  3. Select Quick Start. Quick start

  4. As an example, select OpenAI Codex. OpenAI OpenAI OAuth OpenAI OAuth Complete

  5. Skip Channel selection / skip Search Provider / skip Skill / skip Hook.

  6. After finishing, open the Dashboard. Dashboard Dashboard URL

  7. Register the Dashboard access URL — in the Private Browser screen, click the Plus (+) button to add it. Private Browser Add Dashboard

  8. Select the Dashboard to open the OpenClaw admin screen. Select Dashboard Private Dashboard

No host OS changes

OpenClaw is installed inside Linux for nilbox. No files are written to your Windows, macOS, or Linux host. Removing nilbox removes OpenClaw with it.

About your API token

The API token you enter is protected by nilbox's Zero Token Architecture. The real token value is stored encrypted only in nilbox, and OpenClaw running inside Linux for nilbox only sees a placeholder value. See Running OpenClaw Safely for how this works.

Verify the Installation​

You can confirm OpenClaw was installed and set up correctly if:

  1. You can open the OpenClaw admin screen from the Private Browser menu and sign in.
  2. Running a simple command or prompt returns a response from the connected LLM.

Troubleshooting​

  • The Install button is disabled — Make sure you are signed in to nilbox and that the runtime is running (Start button clicked).
  • Installer download fails — Check your internet connection. The installer file is downloaded from the OpenClaw provider, so the host network must be able to reach it.
  • Out of disk space during installation — Increase the Linux for nilbox disk size. See the disk size guidance in Installation.
  • Setup screen does not appear — Close and relaunch OpenClaw from nilbox. The initial setup screen is only shown the first time OpenClaw starts.