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openclaw node

Run a headless node host that connects to the Gateway WebSocket and exposes system.run / system.which on this machine.

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Why use a node host?

Use a node host when you want agents to run commands on other machines in your network without installing a full macOS companion app there. Common use cases:
  • Run commands on remote Linux/Windows boxes (build servers, lab machines, NAS).
  • Keep exec sandboxed on the gateway, but delegate approved runs to other hosts.
  • Provide a lightweight, headless execution target for automation or CI nodes.
Execution is still guarded by exec approvals and per‑agent allowlists on the node host, so you can keep command access scoped and explicit.

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Browser proxy (zero-config)

Node hosts automatically advertise a browser proxy if browser.enabled is not disabled on the node. This lets the agent use browser automation on that node without extra configuration. Disable it on the node if needed: 
{
  nodeHost: {
    browserProxy: {
      enabled: false
    }
  }
}

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Run (foreground)

openclaw node run --host <gateway-host> --port 18789
Options:
  • --host <host>: Gateway WebSocket host (default: 127.0.0.1)
  • --port <port>: Gateway WebSocket port (default: 18789)
  • --tls: Use TLS for the gateway connection
  • --tls-fingerprint <sha256>: Expected TLS certificate fingerprint (sha256)
  • --node-id <id>: Override node id (clears pairing token)
  • --display-name <name>: Override the node display name

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Service (background)

Install a headless node host as a user service. 
openclaw node install --host <gateway-host> --port 18789
Options:
  • --host <host>: Gateway WebSocket host (default: 127.0.0.1)
  • --port <port>: Gateway WebSocket port (default: 18789)
  • --tls: Use TLS for the gateway connection
  • --tls-fingerprint <sha256>: Expected TLS certificate fingerprint (sha256)
  • --node-id <id>: Override node id (clears pairing token)
  • --display-name <name>: Override the node display name
  • --runtime <runtime>: Service runtime (node or bun)
  • --force: Reinstall/overwrite if already installed
Manage the service: 
openclaw node status
openclaw node stop
openclaw node restart
openclaw node uninstall
Use openclaw node run for a foreground node host (no service). Service commands accept --json for machine-readable output.

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Pairing

The first connection creates a pending node pair request on the Gateway. Approve it via: 
openclaw nodes pending
openclaw nodes approve <requestId>
The node host stores its node id, token, display name, and gateway connection info in ~/.openclaw/node.json.

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Exec approvals

system.run is gated by local exec approvals:
  • ~/.openclaw/exec-approvals.json
  • Exec approvals
  • openclaw approvals --node <id|name|ip> (edit from the Gateway)