Configuration¶
This page shows where OpenClaw keeps its settings on the instance, how to reach the web dashboard, and how to make the most common changes.
Where things live¶
Everything belongs to the ubuntu user.
| What | Where |
|---|---|
| OpenClaw command | ~/.npm-global/bin/openclaw (on the ubuntu user's PATH) |
| Configuration directory | ~/.openclaw/ |
| Agent workspace and memory | ~/.openclaw/workspace/ |
| Agent sessions | ~/.openclaw/agents/main/sessions/ |
| Log directory (rotated daily) | /var/log/openclaw/ |
| Installed OpenClaw version | /etc/openclaw-release |
~ is /home/ubuntu. The configuration directory holds your API keys and
tokens once you have run the wizard, so keep it private.
Change your setup¶
The simplest way to change your AI provider, model or channels is to run the wizard again:
For anything the wizard does not cover, use the dashboard, or see the OpenClaw documentation for the configuration reference and CLI.
Reach the dashboard¶
The OpenClaw gateway serves a web dashboard on port 18789. The dashboard is protected by a gateway token: open it with the dashboard link that includes the token. See the OpenClaw documentation for how to show that link.
The safest way to reach it is an SSH tunnel, so the port never needs to be open to the internet. On your own computer, run:
Leave it running and open the dashboard link in your browser, using
http://localhost:18789 as the address. Press Ctrl+C to close the tunnel
when you are done.
Tip
With a tunnel you can remove the port 18789 rule from the security group and keep only SSH open, restricted to your IP address.
Add skills¶
ClawHub is OpenClaw's registry of community skills. Install one with:
Add web search¶
Web search is optional and needs a search provider API key, for example Brave Search or Perplexity. You can set it up in the onboard wizard or later in the OpenClaw settings.