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Clawbot Installation Guide | Complete Setup for Windows, Mac & Chrome [2026]

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#clawbot#openclaw#installation guide#windows#macos#chrome extension#dashboard#clawbot code#automation setup#platform support

Clawbot Installation Guide | Complete Setup for Windows, Mac & Chrome [2026]

Clawbot Installation Guide | Complete Setup for Windows, Mac & Chrome [2026]

Before You Install: System Requirements and Considerations

Installing Clawbot takes only 5 minutes. But before you begin, make sure your device meets the minimum requirements so you don't run into issues after installation.

Want to learn about everything Clawbot can do? Check out What Is Clawbot? The Complete Guide to understand the product positioning and core features before installing.

Minimum Hardware Requirements

ItemMinimum RequirementRecommended Specs
CPUDual-core 2.0 GHzQuad-core 2.5 GHz or higher
Memory4 GB RAM8 GB RAM (16 GB recommended when using Browser Relay)
Storage500 MB2 GB (including logs and screenshot storage)
NetworkStable internet connectionWired connection or 5 GHz Wi-Fi

Browser Relay runs browser instances in the background, with each instance consuming approximately 200-500 MB of memory. If you need to run multiple tasks simultaneously, the more memory the better.

Supported Operating System Versions

  • Windows: Windows 10 (version 1903 or later) / Windows 11
  • macOS: macOS 12 Monterey or later (supports Intel / M1 / M2 / M3)
  • Chrome Extension: Chrome browser version 120 or later
  • Linux: Ubuntu 20.04+ / Debian 11+ (community supported, not officially prioritized)

Illustration 1: Installation entry screens for three platforms

Windows Installation Steps

Download and Install

Step 1: Download from the Official Website

Go to the Clawbot website (clawbot.io) and click the "Download for Windows" button to download the .exe installer.

The file is approximately 150 MB, and download time depends on your internet speed.

Step 2: Run the Installer

Double-click the downloaded .exe file and follow these steps:

  1. Accept the license agreement
  2. Choose the installation path (the default path C:\Program Files\Clawbot is recommended)
  3. Check "Create desktop shortcut"
  4. Click "Install" to begin installation

The installation process takes about 1-2 minutes.

Step 3: Complete the Installation

After installation is complete, check "Launch Clawbot" to start it immediately, or open it later from the desktop shortcut.

Initial Setup and Launch

The first time you open Clawbot, you'll be guided through the initial setup wizard:

  1. Create an account: Register with your email, or sign in with a Google / GitHub account
  2. Choose a plan: Free or paid (you can start with the free plan to try it out)
  3. Connect your browser: The system will automatically detect your installed Chrome; click "Connect" to complete the connection
  4. Enter the Dashboard: Setup is complete, and you'll see the Dashboard home screen

Common Installation Troubleshooting

Issue 1: Windows Defender blocks the installer

This is the most common issue. Windows Defender may flag Clawbot as coming from an "unknown publisher."

Solution:

  • Click "More info" then "Run anyway"
  • Or temporarily disable real-time protection and re-enable it after installation

Issue 2: .NET Runtime version mismatch

Clawbot requires .NET 6.0 or later. If your system indicates a missing Runtime:

  • Go to the Microsoft website to download .NET 6.0 Runtime
  • After installation, re-run the Clawbot installer

Issue 3: Insufficient permissions during installation

Right-click the installer and select "Run as administrator."

macOS Installation Steps

Download and Install

Step 1: Download the .dmg file

Download the macOS .dmg installer from the official website.

Note: Intel Macs and Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3) use different installers. Make sure to check your chip type by clicking the Apple icon in the top-left corner and selecting "About This Mac."

Step 2: Install to Applications

  1. Double-click the .dmg file to mount the disk image
  2. Drag the Clawbot icon into the Applications folder
  3. Wait for the copy to complete
  4. Eject the disk image

Step 3: First Launch

Open Clawbot from the Applications folder or Launchpad.

Security Permission Settings

macOS has stricter security controls for third-party applications, so additional settings are needed on the first launch.

Gatekeeper Security Prompt

If you see a "developer cannot be verified" message on first launch:

  1. Open "System Settings" then "Privacy & Security"
  2. Find the Clawbot prompt at the bottom and click "Open Anyway"
  3. Enter your password to confirm

Accessibility Permission

Clawbot's Browser Relay requires Accessibility permission to control the browser:

  1. Open "System Settings" then "Privacy & Security" then "Accessibility"
  2. Click the lock icon to unlock
  3. Find Clawbot in the list and check the box to allow

Common Installation Troubleshooting

Issue 1: "Clawbot is damaged and can't be opened"

This is usually a Gatekeeper issue, not actual file corruption.

Open Terminal and enter:

xattr -cr /Applications/Clawbot.app

Then reopen Clawbot.

Issue 2: M1/M2 compatibility issues

If you accidentally downloaded the Intel version, it will run through Rosetta 2 on an Apple Silicon Mac with reduced performance. It's recommended to re-download the ARM version.

To check: In "Activity Monitor," look at the "Kind" column for Clawbot. If it shows "Intel," you've installed the wrong version.

Having trouble during installation? Book a free consultation and let our experts help you resolve it quickly.

Chrome Extension Installation

Install from the Chrome Web Store

If you don't need the full desktop version and just want to use the basic features in your browser, the Chrome extension is the lightest option.

Installation steps:

  1. Open Chrome and go to the Chrome Web Store
  2. Search for "Clawbot"
  3. Click "Add to Chrome"
  4. Confirm the permissions to complete installation

The extension will appear in the toolbar at the top-right corner of your browser.

Extension vs. Desktop Version Comparison:

FeatureChrome ExtensionDesktop Version
Browser RelayLimited (current browser only)Full (remote browser instances)
DashboardSimplified versionFull version
Scheduled TasksNot supportedSupported
API AccessNot supportedSupported
N8N IntegrationNot supportedSupported
Best ForLight use, individualsTeams, advanced needs

Extension Settings

Basic settings after installation:

  1. Pin to toolbar: Click the puzzle icon in the Chrome toolbar, find Clawbot, and click the pin icon
  2. Sign in: Click the extension icon and sign in with your account
  3. Set default behavior: Choose the default action when clicking the extension (quick capture / open panel)
  4. Desktop sync: If you have the desktop version installed, the extension can sync tasks and records with it

Illustration 2: Chrome extension installation screen

Getting Started with the Dashboard

Interface Overview

After installation and signing in, you'll enter the Clawbot Dashboard. The screen is divided into four main areas:

  • Left sidebar: Task list, templates, settings
  • Center area: Detailed information for the currently selected task
  • Top-right corner: Notifications, account settings, usage statistics
  • Bottom status bar: Real-time status of running tasks

Creating Your First Automation Task

Follow this example to create your first task in 2 minutes: automatically open a specific webpage and take a screenshot.

Step 1: Click "+ New Task" in the top-left corner

Step 2: Select the task type then "Browser Relay"

Step 3: Fill in the task settings

  • Name: "Daily Webpage Screenshot"
  • Target URL: https://example.com
  • Action: "Screenshot"
  • Output path: Choose where to save the screenshot

Step 4: Click "Run" to execute

Within a few seconds, you'll find the screenshot file at the specified path. The task execution log will appear in the center area of the Dashboard.

Basic Settings and Preferences

In the Dashboard's "Settings," you should consider adjusting the following:

  • Language: Select your preferred language (if available)
  • Notifications: Enable task failure notifications (Email or Desktop notifications)
  • Auto-update: Recommended to enable to ensure you're always on the latest version
  • Scheduling: Set up automatic execution frequency for tasks (hourly / daily / weekly)

Illustration 3: Dashboard new task form


Want to Build Enterprise Automation Workflows with Clawbot?

Installation is just the first step. The real value lies in designing automation workflows tailored to your business.

How CloudInsight Can Help You

  • Automation needs analysis: Identify the business processes best suited for AI automation
  • Tool selection guidance: Find the optimal combination of Clawbot with N8N, Zapier, and other tools
  • Implementation planning: A complete roadmap from POC to production deployment

Book a Free AI Implementation Consultation


Advanced Settings and Code Integration

Clawbot Code Basics

Beyond the visual Dashboard interface, Clawbot also offers a Code mode that lets you precisely control every step with code.

Code mode is ideal for scenarios requiring complex logic, such as conditional branching, loops, and variable handling.

Basic syntax example:

// Open a webpage and extract the title
const page = await clawbot.newPage();
await page.goto('https://example.com');
const title = await page.title();
console.log('Page title:', title);

// Extract multiple data items
const items = await page.$$eval('.product-item', elements =>
  elements.map(el => ({
    name: el.querySelector('.name').textContent,
    price: el.querySelector('.price').textContent
  }))
);

Common commands:

  • clawbot.newPage() -- Open a new page
  • page.goto(url) -- Navigate to a specified URL
  • page.click(selector) -- Click an element
  • page.type(selector, text) -- Type text
  • page.screenshot() -- Take a screenshot
  • page.waitForSelector(selector) -- Wait for an element to appear

API Integration Basics

Clawbot provides a REST API that lets you trigger and manage tasks from external systems.

Obtaining Your API Key: Dashboard then "Settings" then "API Keys" then "Generate New Key"

Basic Request Example (cURL):

curl -X POST https://api.clawbot.io/v1/tasks \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "name": "Quick Screenshot",
    "type": "browser_relay",
    "target_url": "https://example.com",
    "actions": [{"type": "screenshot"}]
  }'

For advanced API development, refer to the Clawbot Developer Guide, which includes a complete list of endpoints, authentication mechanisms, and code examples.

Clawbot Installation FAQ

What Should I Do If the Installation Fails?

Top 3 failure causes and solutions:

RankCauseSolution
1Antivirus software blockingTemporarily disable or add to whitelist
2Outdated OS versionUpdate to the minimum supported version
3Insufficient storage spaceFree up at least 500 MB of space

If you've tried all of the above and still can't install, report the issue on the Clawbot GitHub Issues page with a screenshot of the error message.

Do I Need to Reinstall When Upgrading from OpenClaw / MoltBot?

No. If you previously installed OpenClaw or MoltBot, updating to the latest version will automatically transition it to Clawbot.

Upgrade steps:

  1. Open your existing OpenClaw / MoltBot application
  2. Check for updates (you'll usually be prompted automatically)
  3. Click "Update" and wait for it to complete

All your previously created tasks, settings, and API Keys will be preserved -- no reconfiguration needed.

Can I Use It on Multiple Devices Simultaneously?

Yes, but it depends on your plan:

  • Free plan: 1 device at a time
  • Paid plan: Multiple devices simultaneously (depending on the plan tier)

All devices sign in with the same account, and tasks and records sync via the cloud.

After installation, try the Clawbot AI Agent Automation Tutorial to learn how to build practical automation workflows using AI Agents and Browser Relay.

Illustration 4: Multi-device sync with Clawbot

Recommended Learning Path After Installation

The Clawbot installation process is straightforward across all three platforms. The desktop version on Windows and macOS gives you access to the full feature set, while the Chrome extension is ideal for lightweight use.

After installation, here's the recommended learning path:

  1. Start by creating a simple task in the Dashboard to get familiar with the interface
  2. Follow the AI Agent Automation Tutorial to master Browser Relay and N8N integration
  3. Advanced developers can refer to the Developer Guide for API and GitHub resources

For a complete feature overview, see the Clawbot Complete Feature Guide.


Free Consultation: Team Deployment and System Integration

If you are:

  • Considering rolling out Clawbot across your team
  • Looking for multi-device deployment guidance
  • Wanting to integrate Clawbot into your existing systems

Book a free consultation, and we'll get back to you within 24 hours. All consultations are completely confidential with no sales pressure.


References

  1. Clawbot Official Documentation, "Installation Guide" (2026)
  2. Clawbot Official Documentation, "Dashboard User Manual" (2026)
  3. Apple Developer Documentation, "Notarization for macOS Apps" (2025)
  4. Microsoft, ".NET 6.0 Runtime Download" (2025)
  5. Chrome Web Store Developer Documentation (2026)

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