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The Setup skill installs and configures NanoClaw from scratch. It walks through Node.js installation, container runtime setup, Claude authentication, messaging channel configuration, and service installation.

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What It Does

The Setup skill:
  • Installs Node.js 22 and dependencies
  • Configures Docker or Apple Container runtime
  • Authenticates Claude (subscription token or API key)
  • Sets up messaging channels (WhatsApp, Telegram, Slack, Discord)
  • Creates mount allowlist for filesystem access
  • Installs and starts the background service

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Prerequisites

  • macOS, Linux, or WSL2
  • Terminal access with bash
  • Admin/sudo access for some steps
  • Claude Pro/Max subscription or Anthropic API key

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How to Apply

1

Invoke the skill

Run the /setup command in your OpenCode or NanoClaw context.
2

Follow interactive prompts

The skill will guide you through:
  • Node.js installation (if needed)
  • Container runtime choice (Docker vs Apple Container on macOS)
  • Claude authentication method
  • Messaging channel selection
  • Directory access permissions
3

Authenticate channels

For each selected channel:
  • WhatsApp: Scan QR code or enter pairing code
  • Telegram: Provide bot token from @BotFather
  • Slack: Provide Bot Token and App Token
  • Discord: Provide bot token from Developer Portal
4

Verify installation

The skill runs a verification step checking:
  • Service is running
  • Credentials are configured
  • Channels are authenticated
  • At least one chat is registered

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What Changes

The Setup skill creates and modifies:

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Files Created

  • .env - Environment variables (credentials, tokens)
  • data/env/env - Container-accessible environment copy
  • store/auth/ - WhatsApp authentication credentials (if applicable)
  • store/messages.db - SQLite database for messages and groups
  • data/mounts.json - Filesystem mount allowlist
  • ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.nanoclaw.plist (macOS) or systemd unit (Linux)

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Files Modified

  • groups/{folder}/CLAUDE.md - Per-group memory files
  • src/config.ts - Trigger pattern and assistant name

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Services Started

  • com.nanoclaw (launchd on macOS)
  • nanoclaw.service (systemd on Linux)
  • start-nanoclaw.sh (WSL without systemd)

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Usage

After setup completes:
  1. Send a test message in your registered chat
  2. For main channel: any message triggers the agent
  3. For other channels: use the trigger word (default @Andy)
  4. Check logs: tail -f logs/nanoclaw.log

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Service Management

# macOS (launchd)
launchctl load ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.nanoclaw.plist
launchctl unload ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.nanoclaw.plist
launchctl kickstart -k gui/$(id -u)/com.nanoclaw

# Linux (systemd)
systemctl --user start nanoclaw
systemctl --user stop nanoclaw
systemctl --user restart nanoclaw

# WSL (nohup fallback)
bash start-nanoclaw.sh
The setup skill delegates to channel-specific skills (/add-whatsapp, /add-telegram, etc.) for authentication and registration. Each channel skill handles its own code installation and JID format.

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Troubleshooting

Service not starting: Check logs/nanoclaw.error.log for errors. Common issues include wrong Node path, missing .env, or missing channel credentials. Container agent fails: Ensure container runtime is running. Check groups/main/logs/container-*.log for details. No response to messages: Verify trigger pattern matches, chat is registered in database, and service is running. Channel not connecting: Verify credentials are in .env, restart service after changes, check channel-specific auth files exist.

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