OpenClaw Cheat Sheet 2026: Complete Command Reference Guide

🎯 Core Takeaways (TL;DR)

• OpenClaw cheat sheet provides 100+ CLI commands for managing your personal AI assistant, from basic setup to advanced automation • Master essential commands like openclaw gateway status, skills list, and channels add to streamline your workflow • The OpenClaw cheat sheet covers all major categories: Gateway, Channels, Skills, Models, Nodes, Browser automation, and System management • Most users need only 10-15 core commands—this guide highlights the most impactful ones with practical examples

Table of Contents

1. What is OpenClaw and Why Do You Need This Cheat Sheet?
2. Essential Setup & Configuration Commands
3. Gateway Management Commands
4. Channel Integration Commands
5. Skills & Plugins Management
6. Models & Authentication
7. Browser Automation Commands
8. Node & Device Management
9. System & Cron Commands
10. Frequently Asked Questions
11. Conclusion & Next Steps

What is OpenClaw and Why Do You Need This Cheat Sheet?

OpenClaw (formerly known as Clawdbot and Moltbot) is a powerful, self-hosted personal AI assistant that runs directly on your machine. Unlike cloud-only chatbots, OpenClaw executes shell commands, controls browsers, manages files, and integrates with messaging platforms—all through a comprehensive command-line interface.

This OpenClaw cheat sheet serves as your go-to reference for the 100+ commands available in the CLI. Whether you're just getting started or automating complex workflows, mastering these commands will dramatically boost your productivity.

Key Capabilities Covered in This OpenClaw Cheat Sheet:

💡 Pro Tip: Save this OpenClaw cheat sheet as a browser bookmark or print it for quick reference. Most developers use only 15-20 commands regularly—focus on those first.

Essential Setup & Configuration Commands

Every OpenClaw journey begins with proper setup. These commands initialize your environment and prepare your system for AI-assisted workflows.

Core Setup Commands

# Initialize OpenClaw with interactive wizard
openclaw setup --wizard

# Quick onboarding for gateway, workspace, and skills
openclaw onboard

# Configure models, channels, and settings interactively
openclaw configure

# Run health checks and apply fixes
openclaw doctor

# Full security audit with auto-fix
openclaw security audit --fix

Configuration Management

The OpenClaw cheat sheet emphasizes config commands because they're your primary tool for customizing behavior:

# Get a config value
openclaw config get agents.defaults.model.primary

# Set a value (JSON5 or string)
openclaw config set agents.defaults.timeoutSeconds 300

# Remove a config entry
openclaw config unset agents.defaults.timeoutSeconds

Common Configuration Targets:

• agents.defaults.model.primary - Default AI model
• agents.defaults.timeoutSeconds - Request timeout
• gateway.port - Gateway service port
• skills.nodeManager - Package manager (npm, pnpm)

⚠️ Important: Always run openclaw doctor after configuration changes to validate your setup. The OpenClaw cheat sheet recommends this as a best practice.

Global Flags

These flags work with any command in OpenClaw cheat sheet:

Gateway Management Commands

The Gateway is OpenClaw's central service—managing it effectively is crucial for stability.

Basic Gateway Operations

# Check Gateway status (RPC probe)
openclaw gateway status

# Start Gateway service
openclaw gateway start

# Stop the Gateway
openclaw gateway stop

# Restart Gateway (common troubleshooting step)
openclaw gateway restart

Gateway Installation & Service Management

# Install Gateway as a system service (launchd/systemd)
openclaw gateway install

# Uninstall the service
openclaw gateway uninstall

# Run Gateway directly (foreground, for testing)
openclaw gateway run

Gateway RPC Commands (Advanced)

These allow remote control via the OpenClaw cheat sheet:

# Call a specific RPC method
openclaw gateway call --method config.patch --params '{"skills.enabled":["notion"]}'

# Probe Gateway health with custom timeout
openclaw gateway probe --timeout 5000

# Discover running Gateways on network
openclaw gateway discover

Critical Gateway RPC Methods:

Gateway Logs

# Tail Gateway logs (follow mode)
openclaw logs --follow

# Show last 200 lines
openclaw logs --limit 200

# Get plain text output (no styling)
openclaw logs --plain

# Export as JSON for parsing
openclaw logs --json

✅ Best Practice: Use openclaw logs --follow --limit 100 during troubleshooting to see real-time errors without scrolling through history.

Channel Integration Commands

OpenClaw integrates with 8+ messaging platforms. This section of the OpenClaw cheat sheet covers channel management.

Listing Channel Status

# Show all configured channels
openclaw channels list

# Check channel health and connectivity
openclaw channels status --probe

# View recent channel logs
openclaw channels logs --channel telegram --lines 50

Adding New Channels

# Add Telegram bot (most common)
openclaw channels add --channel telegram --account alerts --name "Alerts Bot" --token $TELEGRAM_BOT_TOKEN

# Add Discord bot
openclaw channels add --channel discord --account work --name "Work Bot" --token $DISCORD_BOT_TOKEN

# Add WhatsApp (interactive mode)
openclaw channels add --channel whatsapp

# Add Google Chat
openclaw channels add --channel googlechat --account default --name "GChat Bot"

Removing Channels

# Disable a channel (keeps config)
openclaw channels remove --channel discord --account work

# Permanently delete channel config
openclaw channels remove --channel discord --account work --delete

Channel Login/Logout

# Interactive login (WhatsApp Web QR)
openclaw channels login --channel whatsapp

# Log out of a channel session
openclaw channels logout --channel whatsapp --account default

Supported Channels (OpenClaw Cheat Sheet Reference):

💡 Professional Tip: Use openclaw channels status --probe after adding a new channel to verify connectivity. The OpenClaw cheat sheet recommends this as your first troubleshooting step.

Skills & Plugins Management

Skills are OpenClaw's superpower—extending capabilities for email, calendar, web automation, and more.

Listing and Inspecting Skills

# List all available skills
openclaw skills list

# Show only skills ready to use
openclaw skills list --eligible

# Get detailed info about a skill
openclaw skills info seo-blog-generator

# Check which skills have missing requirements
openclaw skills check

Installing Skills (via npx clawhub)

While not in the core OpenClaw cheat sheet, this is the recommended method:

# Search for skills
npx clawhub search email

# Install a skill
npx clawhub install email

# Sync skills with latest versions
npx clawhub sync

Plugin Management

# List installed plugins
openclaw plugins list

# Get plugin details
openclaw plugins info voicecall

# Install a plugin from path
openclaw plugins install --path ./custom-plugin

# Enable a plugin
openclaw plugins enable voicecall

# Disable a plugin
openclaw plugins disable voicecall

# Check for plugin errors
openclaw plugins doctor

Essential Skills for Most Users (OpenClaw Cheat Sheet Recommendations):

⚠️ Important: Most plugin changes require a Gateway restart. After installing or enabling a plugin, run openclaw gateway restart.

Memory Management (OpenClaw Cheat Sheet Bonus)

# Check memory index status
openclaw memory status

# Reindex memory files
openclaw memory index

# Semantic search over memories
openclaw memory search "OpenClaw setup commands"

Models & Authentication Commands

OpenClaw supports 10+ AI providers. This OpenClaw cheat sheet section helps you manage them effectively.

Model Status & Listing

# Check all configured models and auth
openclaw models status

# List available models
openclaw models list --all

# List local (installed) models only
openclaw models list --local

# Filter by provider
openclaw models list --provider anthropic

Setting Default Models

# Set primary text model
openclaw models set claude-3-5-sonnet-20241022

# Set primary image model
openclaw models set-image claude-3-5-sonnet-20241022

Model Authentication

# Interactive auth setup (recommended)
openclaw models auth add

# Setup Anthropic Claude via token (fastest method)
openclaw models auth setup-token --provider anthropic

# Paste a pre-generated token
openclaw models auth paste-token --provider openai --token $OPENAI_API_KEY

# Check auth expiry status
openclaw models status --check

Model Aliases & Fallbacks

# List model aliases
openclaw models aliases list

# Add an alias for quick reference
openclaw models aliases add "claude" "claude-3-5-sonnet-20241022"

# List fallback chain
openclaw models fallbacks list

# Add a fallback model
openclaw models fallbacks add "claude-3-5-sonnet-20241022" "gpt-4o"

Model Scanning (Advanced)

# Scan for new models (updates your catalog)
openclaw models scan --set-default --yes

# Scan with constraints
openclaw models scan --max-params 100000 --max-age-days 30 --concurrency 3

✅ Best Practice: Run openclaw models status --check weekly to catch expiring API keys before they cause issues. The OpenClaw cheat sheet emphasizes proactive auth management.

Browser Automation Commands

OpenClaw can control Chrome, Brave, Edge, and Chromium directly from the CLI—a game-changer for automation.

Browser Status & Lifecycle

# Check browser status
openclaw browser status

# Start browser control server
openclaw browser start

# Stop the browser
openclaw browser stop

# Reset browser profile (clears state)
openclaw browser reset-profile

Managing Browser Tabs

# List all open tabs
openclaw browser tabs

# Open a new URL
openclaw browser open --url https://docs.openclaw.ai

# Focus on a specific tab
openclaw browser focus --target-id e12

# Close a tab
openclaw browser close --target-id e12

Browser Actions (The Power of OpenClaw Cheat Sheet)

# Take a screenshot
openclaw browser screenshot --target-id e12 --type png

# Snapshot DOM (accessible structure)
openclaw browser snapshot --format aria --target-id e12

# Navigate to a URL
openclaw browser navigate --url https://example.com --target-id e12

# Click an element
openclaw browser click --ref button-submit --target-id e12

# Type text into an input
openclaw browser type --text "Hello OpenClaw" --input-ref textarea-message --target-id e12

# Press a key
openclaw browser press --key Enter --target-id e12

# Hover over an element
openclaw browser hover --ref menu-item --target-id e12

# Drag element
openclaw browser drag --start-ref draggable --end-ref drop-zone --target-id e12

# Select from dropdown
openclaw browser select --ref country-select --values "USA" --target-id e12

# Upload a file
openclaw browser upload --ref file-input --path /tmp/document.pdf --target-id e12

# Fill multiple form fields at once
openclaw browser fill --fields '[{"ref":"name","value":"John"},{"ref":"email","value":"john@example.com"}]' --target-id e12

Browser Profiles

# Create a new profile
openclaw browser create-profile --name "Shopping" --color "#FF5A2D"

# Delete a profile
openclaw browser delete-profile --name "Shopping"

# List profiles
openclaw browser profiles

Browser Evaluation & Debugging

# Execute JavaScript
openclaw browser evaluate --fn "document.title" --target-id e12

# Get console logs
openclaw browser console --level error --target-id e12

# Export page as PDF
openclaw browser pdf --target-id e12

💡 Pro Tip: Use --profile chrome to attach to your existing Chrome browser (via Browser Relay extension). This is the most practical workflow for most users.

Node & Device Management Commands

OpenClaw can pair with devices (iOS, macOS, headless hosts) for remote control.

Node Management

# List paired nodes
openclaw nodes list

# Show connected nodes only
openclaw nodes list --connected

# Get detailed node info
openclaw nodes describe --node my-iphone

# Rename a node
openclaw nodes rename --node my-iphone --name "Personal iPhone"

# Run commands on a node
openclaw nodes run --node my-iphone --command "openclaw status"

# Invoke a node method
openclaw nodes invoke --node my-iphone --command camera_snap --params '{"facing":"back"}'

Pending Pairing Requests

# List pending requests
openclaw nodes pending

# Approve a request
openclaw nodes approve --node my-iphone

# Reject a request
openclaw nodes reject --node unknown-device

Camera Control (macOS/iOS Nodes)

# List available cameras
openclaw nodes camera list --node my-iphone

# Take a photo (back camera)
openclaw nodes camera snap --node my-iphone --facing back --max-width 1920 --quality high

# Record a video clip
openclaw nodes camera clip --node my-iphone --facing back --duration 30s --invoke-timeout 40000

Canvas & Screen Control

# Canvas snapshot
openclaw nodes canvas snapshot --node my-iphone --format png --max-width 1920

# Present canvas on device
openclaw nodes canvas present --node my-iphone --x 100 --y 200 --width 600 --height 400

# Hide canvas
openclaw nodes canvas hide --node my-iphone

# Navigate canvas
openclaw nodes canvas navigate --node my-iphone --url https://example.com

# Evaluate JavaScript on canvas
openclaw nodes canvas eval --node my-iphone --js "document.body.style.backgroundColor='red'"

# Screen recording
openclaw nodes screen record --node my-iphone --duration 60 --fps 30 --out /tmp/recording.mp4

Location Services

# Get current location
openclaw nodes location get --node my-iphone --accuracy precise --location-timeout 10000

⚠️ Important: Always obtain explicit consent before accessing camera, location, or recording capabilities. The OpenClaw cheat sheet emphasizes privacy-first practices.

System & Cron Commands

System commands control OpenClaw's behavior and scheduled tasks.

System Events & Heartbeats

# Enqueue a system event
openclaw system event --text "Daily summary check"

# Trigger system event + heartbeat
openclaw system event --text "Check emails" --mode now

# Show last heartbeat
openclaw system heartbeat last

# Enable heartbeats
openclaw system heartbeat enable

# Disable heartbeats
openclaw system heartbeat disable

# Show system presence
openclaw system presence

Cron Job Management

# List all cron jobs
openclaw cron list --all

# Show cron status
openclaw cron status

# Add a daily job at 9 AM UTC
openclaw cron add --name "daily-summary" --at "2026-02-11T09:00:00Z" --system-event "Check emails and calendar"

# Add a recurring job (every hour)
openclaw cron add --name "hourly-check" --every 3600000 --message "Check for new messages"

# Add a job via cron expression
openclaw cron add --name "weekly-report" --cron "0 9 * * 1" --message "Generate weekly report"

# Run a job immediately
openclaw cron run --id daily-summary

# Enable a disabled job
openclaw cron enable --id daily-summary

# Disable a job
openclaw cron disable --id daily-summary

# View job run history
openclaw cron runs --id daily-summary --limit 10

Cron Job Payload Types

✅ Best Practice: Use openclaw cron list before adding new jobs to avoid conflicts. The OpenClaw cheat sheet recommends descriptive names for easy identification.

🤔 Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I get started with OpenClaw after installing it?

A: Run openclaw setup --wizard for interactive setup, then openclaw channels add --channel telegram to connect a messaging platform. Finally, use openclaw skills list to explore available extensions. This OpenClaw cheat sheet covers all three steps in detail above.

Q: What's the difference between openclaw gateway restart and openclaw gateway run?

A: gateway restart manages the installed service (background daemon), while gateway run launches the Gateway in the foreground (useful for testing or temporary sessions). For production, always use the service-based commands in this OpenClaw cheat sheet.

Q: Can I use OpenClaw without installing channels like Telegram or Discord?

A: Yes. Use openclaw tui for a terminal interface, or openclaw agent --message "your prompt" for CLI-based interactions. However, most users prefer the convenience of messaging platforms.

Q: How often should I run openclaw models status --check?

A: Weekly is ideal. The command reports expiring API keys and authentication issues before they cause outages. This is a key maintenance step emphasized in this OpenClaw cheat sheet.

Q: What's the best way to troubleshoot OpenClaw issues?

A: Follow this sequence from the OpenClaw cheat sheet:

1. openclaw status --deep - Full diagnosis
2. openclaw logs --follow - Real-time error monitoring
3. openclaw doctor - Auto-fix common issues
4. openclaw security audit --fix - Security hardening

Q: Can I run multiple OpenClaw instances with different configurations?

A: Yes. Use openclaw --profile <name> to isolate state. For example, openclaw --profile work channels add manages a separate work setup from your personal one.

Conclusion & Next Steps

This OpenClaw cheat sheet has covered 50+ essential commands across all major categories. Here's your action plan:

🚀 Immediate Next Steps

1. Bookmark this guide - The OpenClaw cheat sheet is your reference tool

2. Master the top 10 commands:

   • openclaw status - Quick health checks
   • openclaw gateway restart - Common fix
   • openclaw channels status - Verify connectivity
   • openclaw skills list - Discover capabilities
   • openclaw logs --follow - Troubleshooting
   • openclaw models status - Check AI access
   • openclaw browser start - Enable automation
   • openclaw cron list - Manage scheduled tasks
   • openclaw doctor - Auto-fix issues
   • openclaw config get/set - Customize behavior

3. Set up a cron job for daily health checks:

   openclaw cron add --name "daily-check" --at "09:00" --system-event "Run system health check"
   

4. Explore skills for your workflow:

   npx clawhub search automation
   openclaw skills check
   

📚 Additional Resources

• Official OpenClaw Documentation
• OpenClaw GitHub Repository
• OpenClaw Community Discord
• Awesome OpenClaw Skills Collection
• OpenClaw Skills Directory

💡 Final Pro Tip: Print this OpenClaw cheat sheet or save it as a PDF. Having offline access is invaluable when troubleshooting network issues or during offline work sessions.

Ready to supercharge your productivity? Start with openclaw status --deep right now to audit your current setup, then pick 2-3 commands from this OpenClaw cheat sheet to master this week. Your future self will thank you!