Check Your Prerequisites
Confirm you have Node 24 (or 22.19+ minimum), a supported OS, and an API key from your chosen LLM provider before installing.
Check Your Prerequisites is a free OpenClaw Academy lesson on CoddyKit — lesson 1 of 4. You can read the complete lesson below for free — then practise it hands-on in the browser with a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor. It is part of the OpenClaw Academy learning path, one of 4 lessons in the course, and your progress syncs across the web and the CoddyKit app.
Before You Install
OpenClaw runs on your own machine, so a quick prerequisites check saves you trouble later. Three things matter: Node, your OS, and an LLM API key.
Node Is the Engine
OpenClaw is a CLI built on Node.js, so Node must be installed first. It is the runtime that actually executes OpenClaw on your computer.
Which Node Version
The recommended version is Node 24. Node 22 LTS also works, but only at 22.19 or newer, which is the minimum OpenClaw supports.
Check Your Node Version
Run this in your terminal to see what you have. The node --version command prints the installed version so you can compare it.
node --versionYour Operating System
OpenClaw works on any major OS: macOS 15 or newer, Windows 10 20H2+ or 11, and Linux. You are not locked into one platform.
You Bring the AI
OpenClaw does not ship its own model, so you need an API key from your chosen LLM provider. That key is what powers the assistant's thinking.
Why You Pick the Provider
Because OpenClaw is local-first, the provider choice is yours. You connect your own key, so you stay in control of cost and which model runs.
Keep the Key Safe
Treat your API key like a password. A secret key grants access to a paid account, so never paste it into chats or commit it to a public repo. 🔑
Local Means Your Hardware
Everything runs on your hardware, so make sure the machine you choose will stay on when you want the assistant available. No cloud server is involved.
A Terminal You Trust
Since OpenClaw is a CLI, you install and run it from a terminal. Any standard shell works, on macOS, Windows, or Linux alike.
Your Pre-Flight List
You are ready when three boxes are ticked: a checklist of Node 24 (or 22.19+), a supported OS, and an LLM API key in hand. Then install can begin.
Quick Check
Let us confirm the minimum Node requirement.
Recap
You now know the three prerequisites: Node 24 (or 22.19+), a supported OS, and your own LLM API key kept safe. With those ready, you can install OpenClaw. ✅
Frequently asked questions
Is the “Check Your Prerequisites” lesson free?
Yes — the full text of “Check Your Prerequisites” is free to read here on the web, and the OpenClaw Academy course includes 4 lessons in total. To practise it interactively (a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor) and unlock the rest of the OpenClaw Academy course, upgrade to CoddyKit PRO.
What will I learn in “Check Your Prerequisites”?
Confirm you have Node 24 (or 22.19+ minimum), a supported OS, and an API key from your chosen LLM provider before installing. You practise OpenClaw Academy with hands-on code you run directly in the browser, and a 24/7 AI tutor answers your questions as you work through the lesson.
Do I need any experience to start OpenClaw Academy?
No prior experience is required. OpenClaw Academy on CoddyKit is structured for beginners through advanced learners; this is — lesson 1 of 4, so you can start here or from the beginning and move at your own pace.
How long does the “Check Your Prerequisites” lesson take?
Most CoddyKit lessons take about 5–10 minutes. Each one is bite-sized and interactive, so you make steady progress and pick up exactly where you left off across the web and the app.
Can I write and run code in this OpenClaw Academy lesson?
Yes. Every OpenClaw Academy lesson includes a built-in code editor, so you write and run real code right in your browser and get instant AI feedback — no local setup required.
All lessons in this course
- Check Your Prerequisites
- Install the OpenClaw CLI
- Run the Onboarding Wizard
- Open the Local Dashboard