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Common first-run questions
These are the early questions most people actually have once OpenClaw is installed and almost-working.
Most first-run confusion is normalThe right move is usually to verify the gateway, check the route, or inspect the logs — not to assume the whole install is ruined.
FAQ
The questions that come up immediately after install
“Is it actually running?”Check gateway status first, then use the broader status snapshot if needed.
“Why does it feel quiet?”Silence can mean mention gating, channel policy, or just no pending task — not necessarily failure.
“What should I ask it to do first?”Start with a real workspace or live-status task, not a giant abstract build.
“When should I look at logs?”When the behavior seems wrong and you need evidence instead of intuition.
“When do I need config?”Only when the normal install or runtime behavior clearly points there.
Useful answers
The short answer to each of those questions
Running?
Use status and the dashboard. If both make sense, the system is probably fundamentally alive.
Quiet?
Check routing, mention policy, and whether a real task is expected to be producing output.
Broken?
Use logs and doctor before broad rebuild behavior.
Useful next clicks
Where to go when the answer is not enough