Final artifact
You should leave with a live-mode frontend, a reachable local bridge, and a reusable day-2 operating SOP.
Guided Build
OpenClaw in Practice: run it, debug it, turn it into SOP
This is not a vague overview. It is a guided build based on real scripts, real commands, and real community failure patterns. The goal is not to understand OpenClaw in theory. The goal is to run it, debug it in the right order, and convert repeated actions into skills.
Acceptance
`.env.local` must switch to live mode, bridge `/health` must respond, the frontend must run, and you must be able to explain which mode you are connected to.
Source discipline
This page is based on local OpenClaw scripts, official docs, and recent community troubleshooting patterns.
Before you start
Make sure you have a real OpenClaw project copy and can run `npm install` plus `npm run dev`.
If you need SSH attach, confirm Python 3 is available locally because the script uses it for tunnels.
If you only need local attach, confirm the `openclaw` CLI is available in PATH.
Run the core chain before plugins
Use `npm run dev:live` first to prove the main path works.
If you need debugging, split it into `npm run openclaw:attach` and `npm run dev`.
Confirm `.env.local` was rewritten by attach before you discuss plugins or remote gateways.
Recommended operations order
Run `openclaw doctor` first, then `openclaw onboard` or `openclaw configure`.
After config, probe channel status instead of trusting the UI alone.
After every plugin install, restart the Gateway and verify pairing plus channel readiness.
Plugin strategy that actually helps
Do not install a pile of community plugins before the core chain is stable.
When search is missing, add `web_search` early. A lot of “the agent cannot research” problems are really provider config problems.
Only introduce memory plugins when the workflow clearly needs long-term memory.
Frequent failure modes
`openclaw` CLI missing from PATH, so attach fails immediately.
SSH attach without local Python 3, so tunnel creation fails.
Bridge port conflicts or `.env.local` still in mock mode, which looks like a frontend problem but is really config drift.
`plugin not available` because the plugin was installed without restarting Gateway.
`pairing required` because pairing state or allowlist was never fixed.
Quick Start
Commands
Fastest start
npm run dev:liveOne command to chain attach, bridge, and frontend dev server. Best for the first clean run.
Step-by-step debugging
npm run openclaw:attach
npm run devConfirm the env file first, then start the frontend separately so failures are easier to isolate.
Remote Gateway
npm run dev:live -- --url wss://YOUR_GATEWAY/ws --token YOUR_TOKEN --name "Prod Gateway" --id gw-prodUse this when the gateway is running on another machine.
What to submit
1 screenshot of the frontend running successfully
1 bridge `/health` verification record
1 short troubleshooting recap
1 reusable skill or SOP draft
What you should know after this lesson
You should understand not only how to run the commands, but also what attach changed, what the bridge does, why pairing errors happen, when to install plugins, and which repeated actions belong in a skill.
Search Cluster
Place this tutorial back into the search cluster
This guide should not stand alone. It should connect OpenClaw intent, workflow intent, and the final project path.
OpenClaw Tutorial
An OpenClaw tutorial that goes beyond setup into debugging and skills
This entry page aligns directly with the OpenClaw tutorial search intent. It shows the learner what they will actually gain before sending them into the full guided build, skills page, and project path.
Open pathAI Workflow Automation Course
An AI workflow automation course focused on maintainable systems, not button demos
Users who search for an AI workflow automation course usually want something they can really run, not a pile of tool demos. DepthPilot connects automation to system design, entitlement, and delivery.
Open pathAI Workflow Course
An AI workflow course built for real delivery, not better chatting
If the user searches for an AI workflow course, they usually need more than model theory. They need to connect AI into real workflows, tools, access control, and delivery standards.
Open path