OpenClaw CLI Guide: Commands and Examples

Introduction

If you want to work efficiently with OpenClaw, the command line is one of the fastest ways to create projects, run agents locally, inspect configuration, and prepare deployments.

This guide covers the most useful OpenClaw CLI commands for beginners and gives you a simple workflow you can reuse every day.

What Is the OpenClaw CLI?

The OpenClaw CLI is the command-line interface for managing OpenClaw projects from your terminal.

With the CLI, you can:

• create a new project
• start local development
• inspect configuration
• build a project for deployment
• speed up repetitive setup tasks

If you have not installed OpenClaw yet, start with How to Install OpenClaw Step by Step.

Why Use the CLI Instead of Doing Everything Manually?

You could create folders and config files by hand, but that is slower and more error-prone.

The CLI helps because it:

• keeps project setup consistent
• reduces manual mistakes
• makes local testing faster
• gives you a repeatable workflow for every new agent

For most developers, the CLI becomes the default way to work with OpenClaw after the first project.

Basic OpenClaw CLI Commands

Below are the commands most users need first.

openclaw --version

Use this to verify the installation:

openclaw --version

This is the first command you should run after installation or when debugging environment issues.

openclaw new

Use this command to create a new project:

openclaw new my-agent-project
cd my-agent-project

This is usually the fastest way to start a clean OpenClaw workspace.

openclaw dev

Use this command to run your project locally:

openclaw dev

This is your main development command. Run it whenever you want to test prompts, tools, and workflow behavior.

If you are building your first workflow, pair this with OpenClaw Workflow Guide (Step-by-Step).

openclaw config

Use this command family to inspect or update configuration:

openclaw config list
openclaw config set openai.api_key YOUR_API_KEY

This is useful when switching environments or checking whether a key or setting is missing.

openclaw build

Use this command when you want to prepare your project for deployment:

openclaw build

Think of this as the handoff point between local development and release preparation.

A Simple Daily CLI Workflow

For most projects, you can work with OpenClaw in this order:

1. Check the installed version
2. Create or open a project
3. Start the local dev server
4. Update configuration if needed
5. Test the workflow
6. Build when ready

Here is the basic sequence:

openclaw --version
openclaw new my-project
cd my-project
openclaw dev
openclaw config list
openclaw build

This is simple, but it is enough for many beginner and intermediate projects.

Example: Creating a New Project with the CLI

Let us walk through a realistic example.

Step 1: Create the Project

openclaw new seo-content-agent
cd seo-content-agent

Step 2: Check the Project Structure

You will usually see something like this:

seo-content-agent/
├── agents/
├── skills/
├── tools/
├── config.yaml
└── README.md

Step 3: Start Local Development

openclaw dev

Now you can test the project locally and refine your configuration.

If your goal is a content workflow, continue with How to Build an AI SEO Agent after setup.

Common CLI Use Cases

The CLI is useful beyond simple setup. Here are a few common use cases:

Project Bootstrapping

Create a repeatable starting point for each new agent or workflow.

Local Testing

Run the project quickly while you iterate on prompts, tools, and instructions.

Configuration Management

Inspect current settings and update values without searching through multiple files first.

Release Preparation

Build the project once the workflow is stable enough for deployment or sharing.

Common Mistakes

These issues come up often for beginners:

Running Commands Outside the Project Folder

Many commands expect the correct project directory.

Fix:

cd my-project
openclaw dev

Forgetting to Verify Installation

If the CLI is not available in your shell, run:

openclaw --version

If that fails, revisit How to Install OpenClaw Step by Step.

Editing Configuration Without Rechecking It

After updating settings, inspect them again:

openclaw config list

This helps catch simple mistakes early.

CLI Best Practices

Use these habits from the start:

• keep one project per folder
• verify the version before debugging deeper issues
• use the CLI for setup instead of manual folder creation
• test locally before building
• document the exact commands you use most often

The goal is not to memorize every possible command. The goal is to build a small reliable workflow.

Suggested Command Cheat Sheet

Command	What it does	When to use it
openclaw --version	Checks the installed version	After install or during debugging
openclaw new my-project	Creates a new project	Starting fresh
openclaw dev	Runs the local dev environment	Daily development
openclaw config list	Shows current config	After setup changes
openclaw config set ...	Updates a config value	Adding keys or switching environments
openclaw build	Prepares the project for deployment	Before release

FAQ

What is the first OpenClaw CLI command I should learn?

Start with openclaw --version, openclaw new, and openclaw dev. Those three commands cover installation checks, project creation, and local development.

Do I need to use the CLI for every OpenClaw project?

Not strictly, but it is usually the fastest and cleanest way to work, especially if you create multiple projects.

Is the CLI only for developers?

It is most useful for developers and technical users, but beginners can still learn a small set of commands quickly.

Conclusion

The OpenClaw CLI gives you a faster and more repeatable way to build projects than doing everything manually. Start with a small command set, use it consistently, and let that become your default development workflow.

Once you are comfortable with the basics, the next good step is learning configuration in more depth or building a complete workflow around your project.