CLI Reference

Quick reference for common OpenClaw CLI commands.

Agent Management

• openclaw agents add <id> — Create a new agent
• openclaw agents set-identity --agent <id> --name "Name" — Set agent display name
• openclaw agents list --bindings — List all agents and their routing bindings
• openclaw agents bind --agent <id> --bind slack:<account> — Bind agent to a Slack account
• openclaw agents unbind --agent <id> --bind slack:<account> — Remove a Slack binding

Gateway

• openclaw gateway --port 18789 — Start the gateway on a specific port
• openclaw gateway restart — Restart the gateway process
• openclaw onboard --install-daemon — Install as a systemd daemon

Channel & Connectivity

• openclaw channels status --probe — Check all channel connections
• openclaw pairing list slack — List pending Slack pairing requests
• openclaw pairing approve slack <code> --account <account> — Approve a Slack pairing code

Updates & Security

• openclaw update — Update OpenClaw to the latest version
• openclaw security audit — Scan for config issues, exposed secrets, and permission gaps

Device Management

• openclaw devices list — List all paired devices
• openclaw devices approve <id> — Approve a pending device pairing request

Diagnostics

• openclaw doctor — Run a full health check

Common Workflows

Set up a new agent from scratch

# 1. Create the agent
openclaw agents add my-agent

# 2. Set its display name
openclaw agents set-identity --agent my-agent --name "My Agent"

# 3. Bind to a channel
openclaw agents bind --agent my-agent --bind slack:my-account

# 4. Restart the gateway
openclaw gateway restart

# 5. Verify
openclaw agents list --bindings
openclaw channels status --probe

Diagnose a non-responsive agent

# Check the gateway is running
openclaw doctor

# Check channel connectivity
openclaw channels status --probe

# Verify the agent's bindings
openclaw agents list --bindings

# Check pairing status (for Slack)
openclaw pairing list slack

Approve a new Slack user

# List pending pairings
openclaw pairing list slack

# Approve a specific pairing code
openclaw pairing approve slack <CODE> --account <account>