The most searched practical query in the OpenClaw ecosystem: how do I actually install a skill? This guide covers the exact commands for every OS, the directory structure, version pinning, and the 8 most common installation errors with copy-paste fixes.
To install an OpenClaw skill, run: `npx clawhub@latest install
All platforms require: - Node.js 20+ (LTS recommended) — check with `node --version` - npm 10+ — check with `npm --version` - Git 2.40+ — check with `git --version` - An active internet connection for downloading from ClawHub macOS-specific: - Xcode Command Line Tools: `xcode-select --install` - Homebrew (recommended): `brew install node git` Windows-specific: - WSL2 with Ubuntu 22.04+: `wsl --install -d Ubuntu` - All commands run inside the WSL terminal, not PowerShell or CMD - Native Windows is not supported — OpenClaw requires a Unix-like environment Linux-specific: - Ubuntu/Debian: `sudo apt install nodejs npm git` - Fedora: `sudo dnf install nodejs npm git` - Arch: `sudo pacman -S nodejs npm git`
Step 1: Verify prerequisites `node --version && npm --version && git --version` Step 2: Install OpenClaw (if not already installed) `npx clawhub@latest` This runs the interactive setup wizard. Choose your LLM provider, enter your API key, and select a default model. Step 3: Install your first skill `npx clawhub@latest install deep-research` Expected output: `✓ Installed [email protected] to ~/.openclaw/skills/deep-research/` Step 4: Verify the installation `npx clawhub@latest skills list` You should see `deep-research` listed with its version and status. Step 5: Test the skill Start OpenClaw and try a prompt: 'Research the latest developments in AI agent security.' Common macOS issue: If you get `EACCES: permission denied`, your npm global directory needs fixing. Run: `sudo chown -R $(whoami) ~/.npm ~/.openclaw` For curated skill recommendations, browse our directory or see How to Choose Skills.
Step 1: Set up WSL2 Open PowerShell as Administrator and run: `wsl --install -d Ubuntu` Restart your computer when prompted. Step 2: Open the Ubuntu terminal Search for 'Ubuntu' in the Start menu and open it. Step 3: Install Node.js via nvm (recommended) `curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.40.0/install.sh | bash` Close and reopen the terminal, then: `nvm install 20 && nvm use 20` Step 4: Install OpenClaw and your first skill `npx clawhub@latest` `npx clawhub@latest install deep-research` Step 5: Verify `npx clawhub@latest skills list` Common Windows/WSL issues: - `npm ERR! ENOENT`: The WSL filesystem isn't synced. Run `wsl --shutdown` from PowerShell, then reopen Ubuntu. - Slow performance: Store your projects in the Linux filesystem (`~/`), not the Windows mount (`/mnt/c/`). The Windows mount has severe I/O performance penalties. - VS Code integration: Install the 'WSL' extension and open your project with `code .` from the Ubuntu terminal.
Ubuntu/Debian: `sudo apt update && sudo apt install -y nodejs npm git` `npx clawhub@latest` `npx clawhub@latest install deep-research` Fedora/RHEL: `sudo dnf install -y nodejs npm git` `npx clawhub@latest` `npx clawhub@latest install deep-research` Arch Linux: `sudo pacman -S nodejs npm git` `npx clawhub@latest` `npx clawhub@latest install deep-research` Docker (recommended for production): `docker run -it --name openclaw clawhub/openclaw:latest` Then install skills inside the container. See our security guide for hardened Docker configs. Headless server setup: If you're running OpenClaw on a remote VPS without a GUI, you can still install and manage skills via SSH. Use `tmux` or `screen` for persistent sessions.
After installation, OpenClaw creates this directory structure: `~/.openclaw/` — Root configuration directory `~/.openclaw/config.yaml` — Global configuration (API keys, model preferences) `~/.openclaw/skills/` — Installed skills directory `~/.openclaw/skills/deep-research/SKILL.md` — Individual skill manifest `~/.openclaw/conversations/` — Conversation history `~/.openclaw/logs/` — Runtime logs Workspace vs shared skills: Skills installed globally live in `~/.openclaw/skills/`. You can also install skills locally to a project by running `npx clawhub@latest install deep-research --local`, which creates a `.openclaw/skills/` directory in your current working directory. Precedence rules: Local skills override global skills with the same name. This lets you customize a skill for a specific project without affecting other workflows. Version pinning: Pin a specific version with `npx clawhub@latest install [email protected]`. Without a version, you get the latest.
List installed skills: `npx clawhub@latest skills list` Update all skills: `npx clawhub@latest update` Update a specific skill: `npx clawhub@latest update deep-research` Remove a skill: `npx clawhub@latest uninstall deep-research` Enable/disable a skill (without uninstalling): `npx clawhub@latest disable deep-research` `npx clawhub@latest enable deep-research` Install multiple skills at once: `npx clawhub@latest install deep-research gpt-prompt-chainer llm-router` For bulk installations by use case, see our curated skill stacks.
1. `EACCES: permission denied`
Fix: `sudo chown -R $(whoami) ~/.npm ~/.openclaw`
2. `npm ERR! code E404` — Skill not found
Check the skill name in our directory. Names are case-sensitive and use hyphens.
3. `Error: Node.js version 16 is not supported`
Upgrade to Node.js 20+: `nvm install 20 && nvm use 20`
4. Skill installs but doesn't load
Run `npx clawhub@latest skills list` and check the status. If it shows 'disabled', run `npx clawhub@latest enable
Do I need to restart OpenClaw after installing a skill? Yes. Skills are loaded at startup. After installing a new skill, restart OpenClaw for it to take effect. In interactive mode, type `/reload` to reload skills without restarting. Can I install skills from a local file instead of ClawHub? Yes: `npx clawhub@latest install ./path/to/SKILL.md`. Useful for custom or private skills. See our how to write SKILL.md guide. Are OpenClaw skills safe to install? Verified skills from the ClawSkills directory have passed security review. Always audit unverified skills. See our SKILL.md audit guide for the inspection checklist. Can I install OpenClaw skills on a Raspberry Pi? Yes, on Pi 4 (8GB) with Raspbian. Performance is limited but functional for basic skills. Use local models via Ollama to avoid API latency. How do I install skills inside Docker? Mount a volume for persistence: `docker run -v ~/.openclaw:/root/.openclaw clawhub/openclaw:latest`. Then install normally inside the container. See our Docker security guide.