How to Install OpenClaw (MoltBot) on Raspberry Pi 4
Turn your Raspberry Pi 4 into a dedicated, always-on AI agent gateway.
RPi 4: The Dedicated Agent Node
While I recently discovered that installing OpenClaw on an Android tablet can be surprisingly faster, the Raspberry Pi 4 remains the gold standard for dedicated, low-power home automation and persistent AI gateways. If you have an old Pi 4 lying around, it is the perfect candidate for a headless OpenClaw node.
My Hardware Setup:
- Device: Raspberry Pi 4 Model B
- OS: Raspberry Pi OS (64-bit Lite recommended)
- Status: Successful installation after some OS-level workarounds.
Installation Guide
1Prepare the OS
Ensure your system is fully up to date. OpenClaw requires modern dependencies, so don't skip this step:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
2Install Node.js 22
OpenClaw requires Node.js 22+. The standard Pi repositories often lag behind, so use the NodeSource repository:
curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_22.x | sudo -E bash - sudo apt install -y nodejs
3Official OpenClaw Setup
Use the official one-liner to install OpenClaw globally and start the configuration wizard:
curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash
4Start as a Daemon
To ensure OpenClaw stays running even after you close your terminal, install it as a background service:
openclaw onboard --install-daemon
Lessons Learned & Troubleshooting
Installing on the Pi 4 required a bit more "workaround" effort compared to the high-performance Android tablet route. Specifically, I encountered several hurdles:
- 32-bit vs 64-bit OS: Many documentation guides don't specify this, but architecture matters for modern Node.js 22+ modules. I encountered several compatibility errors that seemed rooted in these types of differences.
- NPM Module Installation: Some native modules failed to compile initially. I had to resolve this by installing specific modules manually or creating symbolic links to alternative versions to satisfy dependencies.
Whenever I hit a wall with these technical errors, I consulted Gemini to debug the logs and find the right resolutions. It was instrumental in getting the "set-and-forget" Raspberry Pi gateway stable.
My Recommendation: Beyond the OS tweaks, I tried using free API keys from Gemini and OpenAI, but they hit limits quickly. For a consistent experience, investing in a paid online LLM API (like OpenAI) is essential—a simple $5 top-up will give you the stability you need for long-term automation.
Future Project Ideas
With OpenClaw successfully running on a dedicated Raspberry Pi, the possibilities for automation are endless. I am already exploring several cool projects:
- Home Automation Gateway: Using the Pi as a central hub to control smart devices via local LLM agents.
- Messaging Integration: Connecting OpenClaw to WhatsApp or Telegram for remote bot commands and status updates.
Stay tuned! I will post an update as soon as I complete any of these projects and document the technical journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I run OpenClaw on Raspberry Pi 3?
While technically possible, a Raspberry Pi 4 with at least 4GB RAM is highly recommended for a smooth and stable agent experience.
Why is a 64-bit OS recommended?
Modern Node.js 22+ and its native modules perform significantly better on 64-bit architectures, reducing technical friction during installation.
Do I need a paid API key?
For a persistent, always-on gateway, a small $5 top-up on an OpenAI account ensures your agent stays responsive without hitting free-tier limits.
terminal Bonus: Instant Terminal Chat
Since your Pi is likely running headless via SSH, don't bother with a web browser for testing. Use the built-in Terminal UI (TUI):
openclaw tui
This launches the official "Clawdbot" interface directly in your command prompt for low-latency testing.