OpenClaw VS Code Extension

VS Code status bar shortcut for connecting to OpenClaw. It shows connection state and runs your configured OpenClaw CLI command in a terminal.

Created by OpenKnot: https://openknot.ai

Quick, super-simple overview: see SUMMARY.md.

Features

• Status Bar Indicator: Shows idle, connecting, connected, and error states at a glance.
• One-Click Connect: Runs your OpenClaw command in a dedicated terminal.
• Terminal Reuse: Keeps a single terminal session for quick reconnects.
• Auto-Connect: Optionally connect on startup.
• Custom Command: Configure the exact command for your environment.
• Guided Setup: Install Node.js and OpenClaw with prompts.
• Install Shortcuts: One-click install or copy commands when the CLI is missing.
• Legacy Migration: Prompts to upgrade from molt/clawdbot to openclaw.
• Node Check: Detects missing Node.js and offers installers.

Quick Start (macOS + Windows)

1. Install Node.js (required)

• Download the latest LTS from https://nodejs.org
• Verify: node -v shows v22.x or newer

2. Install OpenClaw

npm install -g openclaw@latest

Verify: openclaw --help

3. Onboard and start the Gateway

openclaw onboard --install-daemon
openclaw gateway --port 18789

Open Dashboard: http://127.0.0.1:18789/

4. Log in to a channel (optional)

openclaw channels login

Scan the QR (WhatsApp) or follow the prompt for your channel.

5. Connect from VS Code

Click the OpenClaw status bar item. The extension sends your configured command in the terminal.

Beginner-Friendly Setup

If you see a "command not found: openclaw" error in VS Code, use the built-in helpers:

• Run OpenClaw: Setup from the Command Palette; OR
• Click the action buttons in the error message to install or copy the command

The setup flow can also detect missing Node.js, guide you to install the latest LTS, and then install OpenClaw.

Model Setup Wizard (Powerful + Beginner-Friendly)

Run the command palette action OpenClaw: Model Setup Wizard to:

• Run the OpenClaw onboarding wizard in a terminal (openclaw onboard)
• Choose a provider (OpenAI, Anthropic, or Local Pi RPC)
• Open your config and auth profile files for quick edits
• Verify health with openclaw status and openclaw health

This is the fastest path from zero to a working model configuration.

Security Hardening (New)

Run OpenClaw: Harden from the Command Palette or open the OpenClaw → Hardening view in the Activity Bar to:

• Run openclaw security audit, --fix, and --deep in sequence
• Review status in the terminal and get quick links to config + docs
• Trigger openclaw status --all and open the local dashboard
• View a plain-English access summary (MCP, tools, key sources)

This is a guided path for locking down common attack surfaces and permissions.

Configuration

• openclaw.autoConnect: Automatically connect on startup (default: false)
• openclaw.command: Command to run when connecting (default: openclaw status)
• openclaw.hardening.mode: Hardening workflow (full, audit, auditFix)
• openclaw.hardening.command: Command prefix for hardening (default: openclaw)

For Windows with WSL, set: openclaw.command = wsl openclaw status

Model Setup (Beginner-Friendly)

By default, OpenClaw uses its bundled Pi binary in RPC mode. If you want a different provider or custom settings, update your config:

~/.openclaw/openclaw.json

See the OpenClaw docs for configuration examples and provider setup: https://docs.openclaw.ai

Troubleshooting

"command not found: openclaw"

• Reinstall CLI: npm install -g openclaw@latest
• Restart your terminal or VS Code
• Or run OpenClaw: Setup in VS Code to use the guided installer

Legacy CLI name (molt or clawdbot)

If you previously installed the legacy CLI, update to the new openclaw name using the installer or npm, then run openclaw doctor:

• Recommended (macOS/Linux): curl -fsSL https://openclaw.bot/install.sh | bash
• Global npm: npm install -g openclaw@latest

See https://docs.openclaw.ai/install/updating for full update guidance.

"node: command not found" or Node too old

• Install the latest LTS from https://nodejs.org/
• Verify with node -v (needs v22+)

Gateway not running

• Run: openclaw gateway --port 18789
• Open: http://127.0.0.1:18789/

No status bar item

• Ensure you are in the Extension Development Host when testing
• Check Output panel for extension logs

Windows + WSL

• Set openclaw.command to wsl openclaw status
• Set openclaw.hardening.command to wsl openclaw

Development

1. Install dependencies: bun install
2. Compile: bun run compile
3. Press F5 to launch the Extension Development Host
4. Publish (prepublish + VSCE + Open VSX): bun run publish:all:script

License

MIT