Run the Onboarding Wizard
Launch openclaw onboard --install-daemon to walk through the guided setup and pairing flows and register the persistent daemon.
Run the Onboarding Wizard is a free OpenClaw Academy lesson on CoddyKit — lesson 3 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.
Meet the Wizard
Installing gave you the command; now the onboarding wizard sets everything up. It is a guided flow that walks you through the first-time configuration.
The Onboard Command
Start the wizard with this command. The onboard subcommand launches the guided setup right inside your terminal.
openclaw onboard --install-daemonWhat --install-daemon Does
The --install-daemon flag registers the Gateway as a persistent background service, so OpenClaw can keep running after you close the terminal.
Why a Daemon
A daemon is a long-lived background process. Installing it during onboarding means your assistant stays available without you re-launching it each time.
It Is Guided
You do not edit files by hand here. The wizard asks questions in a guided sequence and applies your answers for you, step by step.
Pairing Flows
Onboarding includes pairing flows that help you connect a chat channel, so your phone or app can talk to the Gateway when setup finishes.
Your API Key Comes In Here
This is where the API key you prepared earlier gets connected. The wizard wires your chosen LLM provider into OpenClaw during setup.
Follow the Prompts
Just read each step and answer. Following the prompts in order is all it takes; the wizard handles the wiring behind the scenes.
The Gateway Goes Live
By the end, the Gateway is installed and running as the core daemon. It becomes the single hub that manages your sessions and channels.
Run It Once
Onboarding is mostly a one-time step. Once the daemon is registered and a channel is paired, you normally do not repeat the full wizard.
What Comes Next
After the wizard finishes, the natural next move is to open the dashboard and confirm everything is running locally. That is the final check.
Quick Check
What does the --install-daemon flag set up?
Recap
You ran openclaw onboard --install-daemon, followed the guided prompts, connected your key, and brought the Gateway daemon online. Time to open the dashboard. 🚀
Frequently asked questions
Is the “Run the Onboarding Wizard” lesson free?
Yes — the full text of “Run the Onboarding Wizard” 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 “Run the Onboarding Wizard”?
Launch openclaw onboard --install-daemon to walk through the guided setup and pairing flows and register the persistent daemon. 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 3 of 4, so you can start here or from the beginning and move at your own pace.
How long does the “Run the Onboarding Wizard” 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