Commands

[keen veldt]

I need some basic commands to:

1. Start OpenClaw
2. Stop OpenClaw
3. Restart OpenClaw
4. Shutdown OpenClaw
5. Add AI API's (Such as OpenAI/Claude)
6. Add Channels (Such as Telegram/Discord)
7. Update Latest Model
8. Go back to the old Model
9. Back up the whole OpenClaw
10. Fix some issues by itself (Such as the doctor)
11. Check the added models
12. Switch the default models
13. Check the paired device
14. Check the Pairing request
    15, Approve the pairing request

Details:

OpenClaw version: OpenClaw 2026.4.20 (115f05d)
OS: Windows 11
Installed on: WSL2 Ubuntu Linux

[hearty kiln]

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[keen veldt]

I need some basic commands to:

Start OpenClaw
Stop OpenClaw
Restart OpenClaw
Shutdown OpenClaw
Add AI API's (Such as OpenAI/Claude)
Add Channels (Such as Telegram/Discord)
Update Latest Model
Go back to the old Model
Back up the whole OpenClaw
Fix some issues by itself (Such as the doctor)
Check the added models
Switch the default models
Check the paired device
Check the Pairing request
15, Approve the pairing request

Details:

OpenClaw version: OpenClaw 2026.4.21 (f788c88)
OS: Windows 11
Installed on: WSL2 Ubuntu Linux

[keen veldt]

I need some basic commands to:

Start OpenClaw
Stop OpenClaw
Restart OpenClaw
Shutdown OpenClaw
Add AI API's (Such as OpenAI/Claude)
Add Channels (Such as Telegram/Discord)
Update Latest Model
Go back to the old Model
Back up the whole OpenClaw
Fix some issues by itself (Such as the doctor)
Check the added models
Switch the default models
Check the paired device
Check the Pairing request
15, Approve the pairing request

Details:

OpenClaw version: OpenClaw 2026.4.21 (f788c88)
OS: Windows 11
Installed on: WSL2 Ubuntu Linux

[prime solar]

Run these inside your WSL Ubuntu shell.

# 1) Start OpenClaw
openclaw gateway start
# or run in foreground:
openclaw gateway run

# 2) Stop OpenClaw
openclaw gateway stop

# 3) Restart OpenClaw
openclaw gateway restart

# 4) "Shutdown" OpenClaw
openclaw gateway stop

# if running in foreground, Ctrl+C also stops it

# 5) Add AI providers / API keys
openclaw configure --section model
# or:
openclaw models auth add

# 6) Add channels
openclaw configure --section channels
# examples:
openclaw channels add --channel telegram --token <TELEGRAM_BOT_TOKEN>
openclaw channels add --channel discord --token <DISCORD_BOT_TOKEN>

# 7) Switch to a newer AI model
openclaw models list

openclaw models set <model-or-alias>

# 8) Go back to the old AI model
openclaw models set <old-model-or-alias>

# 9) Back up OpenClaw
openclaw backup create --verify

# 10) Auto-fix common issues
openclaw doctor
openclaw doctor --repair

# 11) Check added models
openclaw models status
openclaw models list

# 12) Switch the default model
openclaw models set <model-or-alias>

# 13) Check paired devices
openclaw devices list

# 14) Check pairing requests
openclaw devices list
# for DM/chat pairing:
openclaw pairing list <channel>

# 15) Approve pairing requests
openclaw devices approve <requestId>
# for DM/chat pairing:

openclaw pairing approve <channel> <code> --notify

A couple useful notes:

• openclaw devices approve --latest only previews the newest request, it does not approve it.
• If by “update latest model” you actually meant update OpenClaw itself:

openclaw update
openclaw update status
openclaw update --tag <older-version> --yes   # rollback

Useful docs:
https://docs.openclaw.ai/help/faq