> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://cryptoclawdocs.termix.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Onboarding Wizard Reference

# Onboarding Wizard Reference

This is the full reference for the `openclaw onboard` CLI wizard.
For a high-level overview, see [Onboarding Wizard](/start/wizard).

## Flow details (local mode)

<Steps>
  <Step title="Existing config detection">
    * If `~/.openclaw/openclaw.json` exists, choose **Keep / Modify / Reset**.
    * Re-running the wizard does **not** wipe anything unless you explicitly choose **Reset**
      (or pass `--reset`).
    * CLI `--reset` defaults to `config+creds+sessions`; use `--reset-scope full`
      to also remove workspace.
    * If the config is invalid or contains legacy keys, the wizard stops and asks
      you to run `openclaw doctor` before continuing.
    * Reset uses `trash` (never `rm`) and offers scopes:
      * Config only
      * Config + credentials + sessions
      * Full reset (also removes workspace)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Model/Auth">
    * **Anthropic API key**: uses `ANTHROPIC_API_KEY` if present or prompts for a key, then saves it for daemon use.
    * **Anthropic OAuth (Claude Code CLI)**: on macOS the wizard checks Keychain item "Claude Code-credentials" (choose "Always Allow" so launchd starts don't block); on Linux/Windows it reuses `~/.claude/.credentials.json` if present.
    * **Anthropic token (paste setup-token)**: run `claude setup-token` on any machine, then paste the token (you can name it; blank = default).
    * **OpenAI Code (Codex) subscription (Codex CLI)**: if `~/.codex/auth.json` exists, the wizard can reuse it.
    * **OpenAI Code (Codex) subscription (OAuth)**: browser flow; paste the `code#state`.
      * Sets `agents.defaults.model` to `openai-codex/gpt-5.2` when model is unset or `openai/*`.
    * **OpenAI API key**: uses `OPENAI_API_KEY` if present or prompts for a key, then stores it in auth profiles.
    * **xAI (Grok) API key**: prompts for `XAI_API_KEY` and configures xAI as a model provider.
    * **OpenCode Zen (multi-model proxy)**: prompts for `OPENCODE_API_KEY` (or `OPENCODE_ZEN_API_KEY`, get it at [https://opencode.ai/auth](https://opencode.ai/auth)).
    * **API key**: stores the key for you.
    * **Vercel AI Gateway (multi-model proxy)**: prompts for `AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY`.
    * More detail: [Vercel AI Gateway](/providers/vercel-ai-gateway)
    * **Cloudflare AI Gateway**: prompts for Account ID, Gateway ID, and `CLOUDFLARE_AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY`.
    * More detail: [Cloudflare AI Gateway](/providers/cloudflare-ai-gateway)
    * **MiniMax M2.5**: config is auto-written.
    * More detail: [MiniMax](/providers/minimax)
    * **Synthetic (Anthropic-compatible)**: prompts for `SYNTHETIC_API_KEY`.
    * More detail: [Synthetic](/providers/synthetic)
    * **Moonshot (Kimi K2)**: config is auto-written.
    * **Kimi Coding**: config is auto-written.
    * More detail: [Moonshot AI (Kimi + Kimi Coding)](/providers/moonshot)
    * **Skip**: no auth configured yet.
    * Pick a default model from detected options (or enter provider/model manually). For best quality and lower prompt-injection risk, choose the strongest latest-generation model available in your provider stack.
    * Wizard runs a model check and warns if the configured model is unknown or missing auth.
    * API key storage mode defaults to plaintext auth-profile values. Use `--secret-input-mode ref` to store env-backed refs instead (for example `keyRef: { source: "env", provider: "default", id: "OPENAI_API_KEY" }`).
    * OAuth credentials live in `~/.openclaw/credentials/oauth.json`; auth profiles live in `~/.openclaw/agents/<agentId>/agent/auth-profiles.json` (API keys + OAuth).
    * More detail: [/concepts/oauth](/concepts/oauth)

    <Note>
      Headless/server tip: complete OAuth on a machine with a browser, then copy
      `~/.openclaw/credentials/oauth.json` (or `$OPENCLAW_STATE_DIR/credentials/oauth.json`) to the
      gateway host.
    </Note>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Workspace">
    * Default `~/.openclaw/workspace` (configurable).
    * Seeds the workspace files needed for the agent bootstrap ritual.
    * Full workspace layout + backup guide: [Agent workspace](/concepts/agent-workspace)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Gateway">
    * Port, bind, auth mode, tailscale exposure.
    * Auth recommendation: keep **Token** even for loopback so local WS clients must authenticate.
    * Disable auth only if you fully trust every local process.
    * Non‑loopback binds still require auth.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Channels">
    * [WhatsApp](/channels/whatsapp): optional QR login.
    * [Telegram](/channels/telegram): bot token.
    * [Discord](/channels/discord): bot token.
    * [Google Chat](/channels/googlechat): service account JSON + webhook audience.
    * [Mattermost](/channels/mattermost) (plugin): bot token + base URL.
    * [Signal](/channels/signal): optional `signal-cli` install + account config.
    * [BlueBubbles](/channels/bluebubbles): **recommended for iMessage**; server URL + password + webhook.
    * [iMessage](/channels/imessage): legacy `imsg` CLI path + DB access.
    * DM security: default is pairing. First DM sends a code; approve via `openclaw pairing approve <channel> <code>` or use allowlists.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Daemon install">
    * macOS: LaunchAgent
      * Requires a logged-in user session; for headless, use a custom LaunchDaemon (not shipped).
    * Linux (and Windows via WSL2): systemd user unit
      * Wizard attempts to enable lingering via `loginctl enable-linger <user>` so the Gateway stays up after logout.
      * May prompt for sudo (writes `/var/lib/systemd/linger`); it tries without sudo first.
    * **Runtime selection:** Node (recommended; required for WhatsApp/Telegram). Bun is **not recommended**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Health check">
    * Starts the Gateway (if needed) and runs `openclaw health`.
    * Tip: `openclaw status --deep` adds gateway health probes to status output (requires a reachable gateway).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Skills (recommended)">
    * Reads the available skills and checks requirements.
    * Lets you choose a node manager: **npm / pnpm** (bun not recommended).
    * Installs optional dependencies (some use Homebrew on macOS).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Finish">
    * Summary + next steps, including iOS/Android/macOS apps for extra features.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  If no GUI is detected, the wizard prints SSH port-forward instructions for the Control UI instead of opening a browser.
  If the Control UI assets are missing, the wizard attempts to build them; fallback is `pnpm ui:build` (auto-installs UI deps).
</Note>

## Non-interactive mode

Use `--non-interactive` to automate or script onboarding:

```bash theme={null}
openclaw onboard --non-interactive \
  --mode local \
  --auth-choice apiKey \
  --anthropic-api-key "$ANTHROPIC_API_KEY" \
  --gateway-port 18789 \
  --gateway-bind loopback \
  --install-daemon \
  --daemon-runtime node \
  --skip-skills
```

Add `--json` for a machine‑readable summary.

<Note>
  `--json` does **not** imply non-interactive mode. Use `--non-interactive` (and `--workspace`) for scripts.
</Note>

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Gemini example">
    ```bash theme={null}
    openclaw onboard --non-interactive \
      --mode local \
      --auth-choice gemini-api-key \
      --gemini-api-key "$GEMINI_API_KEY" \
      --gateway-port 18789 \
      --gateway-bind loopback
    ```
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Z.AI example">
    ```bash theme={null}
    openclaw onboard --non-interactive \
      --mode local \
      --auth-choice zai-api-key \
      --zai-api-key "$ZAI_API_KEY" \
      --gateway-port 18789 \
      --gateway-bind loopback
    ```
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Vercel AI Gateway example">
    ```bash theme={null}
    openclaw onboard --non-interactive \
      --mode local \
      --auth-choice ai-gateway-api-key \
      --ai-gateway-api-key "$AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY" \
      --gateway-port 18789 \
      --gateway-bind loopback
    ```
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Cloudflare AI Gateway example">
    ```bash theme={null}
    openclaw onboard --non-interactive \
      --mode local \
      --auth-choice cloudflare-ai-gateway-api-key \
      --cloudflare-ai-gateway-account-id "your-account-id" \
      --cloudflare-ai-gateway-gateway-id "your-gateway-id" \
      --cloudflare-ai-gateway-api-key "$CLOUDFLARE_AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY" \
      --gateway-port 18789 \
      --gateway-bind loopback
    ```
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Moonshot example">
    ```bash theme={null}
    openclaw onboard --non-interactive \
      --mode local \
      --auth-choice moonshot-api-key \
      --moonshot-api-key "$MOONSHOT_API_KEY" \
      --gateway-port 18789 \
      --gateway-bind loopback
    ```
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Synthetic example">
    ```bash theme={null}
    openclaw onboard --non-interactive \
      --mode local \
      --auth-choice synthetic-api-key \
      --synthetic-api-key "$SYNTHETIC_API_KEY" \
      --gateway-port 18789 \
      --gateway-bind loopback
    ```
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="OpenCode Zen example">
    ```bash theme={null}
    openclaw onboard --non-interactive \
      --mode local \
      --auth-choice opencode-zen \
      --opencode-zen-api-key "$OPENCODE_API_KEY" \
      --gateway-port 18789 \
      --gateway-bind loopback
    ```
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

### Add agent (non-interactive)

```bash theme={null}
openclaw agents add work \
  --workspace ~/.openclaw/workspace-work \
  --model openai/gpt-5.2 \
  --bind whatsapp:biz \
  --non-interactive \
  --json
```

## Gateway wizard RPC

The Gateway exposes the wizard flow over RPC (`wizard.start`, `wizard.next`, `wizard.cancel`, `wizard.status`).
Clients (macOS app, Control UI) can render steps without re‑implementing onboarding logic.

## Signal setup (signal-cli)

The wizard can install `signal-cli` from GitHub releases:

* Downloads the appropriate release asset.
* Stores it under `~/.openclaw/tools/signal-cli/<version>/`.
* Writes `channels.signal.cliPath` to your config.

Notes:

* JVM builds require **Java 21**.
* Native builds are used when available.
* Windows uses WSL2; signal-cli install follows the Linux flow inside WSL.

## What the wizard writes

Typical fields in `~/.openclaw/openclaw.json`:

* `agents.defaults.workspace`
* `agents.defaults.model` / `models.providers` (if Minimax chosen)
* `tools.profile` (local onboarding defaults to `"messaging"` when unset; existing explicit values are preserved)
* `gateway.*` (mode, bind, auth, tailscale)
* `session.dmScope` (behavior details: [CLI Onboarding Reference](/start/wizard-cli-reference#outputs-and-internals))
* `channels.telegram.botToken`, `channels.discord.token`, `channels.signal.*`, `channels.imessage.*`
* Channel allowlists (Slack/Discord/Matrix/Microsoft Teams) when you opt in during the prompts (names resolve to IDs when possible).
* `skills.install.nodeManager`
* `wizard.lastRunAt`
* `wizard.lastRunVersion`
* `wizard.lastRunCommit`
* `wizard.lastRunCommand`
* `wizard.lastRunMode`

`openclaw agents add` writes `agents.list[]` and optional `bindings`.

WhatsApp credentials go under `~/.openclaw/credentials/whatsapp/<accountId>/`.
Sessions are stored under `~/.openclaw/agents/<agentId>/sessions/`.

Some channels are delivered as plugins. When you pick one during onboarding, the wizard
will prompt to install it (npm or a local path) before it can be configured.

## Related docs

* Wizard overview: [Onboarding Wizard](/start/wizard)
* macOS app onboarding: [Onboarding](/start/onboarding)
* Config reference: [Gateway configuration](/gateway/configuration)
* Providers: [WhatsApp](/channels/whatsapp), [Telegram](/channels/telegram), [Discord](/channels/discord), [Google Chat](/channels/googlechat), [Signal](/channels/signal), [BlueBubbles](/channels/bluebubbles) (iMessage), [iMessage](/channels/imessage) (legacy)
* Skills: [Skills](/tools/skills), [Skills config](/tools/skills-config)