How do I update OpenClaw to the latest version?

Run `openclaw update` in your terminal. This updates the core and all installed skills to their latest versions. If you installed manually, run `npm install -g openclaw@latest` instead. Always check the release notes first — major versions sometimes require a config migration step.

Where do I get help if OpenClaw stops working?

Start with `openclaw logs --tail 50` to see what went wrong. Then check the troubleshooting guide at howopenclaw.com/reference/troubleshooting. For community support, join the OpenClaw Discord server where other users and contributors can help diagnose issues in real time.

Can I contribute to the OpenClaw project?

Yes — OpenClaw is open source on GitHub. You can report bugs, suggest features, improve the documentation, or submit pull requests with code changes. The project also accepts skill contributions — if you build a useful skill, you can publish it to ClawHub for other users to install.

Module 9: Next Steps & Community

Troubleshoot OpenClaw, update to the latest version, and join the self-hosted AI community. Your next step after completing the course.

0 of 10 modules complete0%

4 min read

What you will learn

Troubleshoot common issues with the built-in tools
Keep OpenClaw and its skills up to date
Know where to find help and connect with other users
Contribute back to the OpenClaw project

You made it

If you have been following along from Module 0, you now have:

A running OpenClaw instance on your machine
At least one messaging channel connected
Skills installed and working
Personalized memory and personality settings
Automated tasks running on a schedule
Security policies in place

That is a fully operational personal AI assistant. Let's make sure it stays healthy.

Troubleshooting

When something goes wrong, start here:

openclaw doctor

This checks your Gateway, Agent, model connection, and installed skills. It will tell you exactly what is broken and suggest a fix.

Common issues

Agent not responding:

openclaw gateway status
openclaw gateway restart

Channel disconnected:

openclaw channels list
openclaw channels reconnect telegram

Model errors:

openclaw config get model
openclaw models test

For a full troubleshooting guide, see the Reference section.

Keeping OpenClaw up to date

Update OpenClaw itself:

openclaw update

Update installed skills:

openclaw skills update --all

Check for available updates without installing:

openclaw skills outdated

How often should I update?

Check for updates every few weeks. OpenClaw releases frequently with bug fixes and new features. Skills are updated independently by their authors.

Getting help

Built-in diagnostics: Run openclaw doctor in your Terminal — it diagnoses most issues automatically
Documentation: Browse the Reference section for CLI details and the Troubleshooting guide for common errors
GitHub Issues: Report bugs or request features on the OpenClaw GitHub
Discord: Join the OpenClaw community Discord for real-time help from other users and contributors

Contributing

OpenClaw is open source. You can contribute in several ways:

Report bugs — File issues on GitHub with steps to reproduce
Write skills — Share useful skills on ClawHub for others to use
Improve docs — This documentation is open source too
Share your setup — Help others learn from what worked for you

What to build next

Now that you have the fundamentals, here are ideas to explore:

Connect more channels — Add WhatsApp, Slack, or Discord alongside Telegram. See the full channel guide for setup instructions for all supported platforms.
Build custom skills — Write skills specific to your workflow
Create complex automations — Chain multiple skills together
Optimize your prompts — Refine your SOUL.md based on real usage
Set up on a server — Move from your laptop to always-on cloud hosting

The Real-World Projects module has step-by-step guides for four practical builds. The Reference section has detailed CLI documentation for everything OpenClaw can do. For API cost estimates and model comparisons, see the Pricing guide.

How OpenClaw compares

If you are evaluating OpenClaw against other tools, the Compare section has side-by-side breakdowns:

OpenClaw vs ChatGPT — privacy, messaging integration, proactive automations
OpenClaw vs n8n — conversational AI vs workflow automation
OpenClaw vs Zapier — data ownership, cost model, use cases
OpenClaw vs Claude Code — different tools, different purposes
OpenClaw vs AutoGPT — agent autonomy vs personal assistant

Course complete

You have finished all 10 modules. You know how to install, configure, connect, customize, automate, secure, and maintain your own AI assistant.

The rest is building things that matter to you.

Finished this module?

Tracks your progress across all 10 modules

Frequently asked questions

How do I update OpenClaw to the latest version?: Run `openclaw update` in your terminal. This updates the core and all installed skills to their latest versions. If you installed manually, run `npm install -g openclaw@latest` instead. Always check the release notes first — major versions sometimes require a config migration step.
Where do I get help if OpenClaw stops working?: Start with `openclaw logs --tail 50` to see what went wrong. Then check the troubleshooting guide at howopenclaw.com/reference/troubleshooting. For community support, join the OpenClaw Discord server where other users and contributors can help diagnose issues in real time.
Can I contribute to the OpenClaw project?: Yes — OpenClaw is open source on GitHub. You can report bugs, suggest features, improve the documentation, or submit pull requests with code changes. The project also accepts skill contributions — if you build a useful skill, you can publish it to ClawHub for other users to install.

Module 9: Next Steps & Community

Frequently asked questions

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