> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://opensandbox-oc-s-762ac928075c46d2828bcb22.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Create an OpenClaw Agent

> Deploy a personal AI agent on Telegram using OpenClaw — a multi-channel gateway with native plugin support

This guide walks through creating a managed [OpenClaw](https://openclaw.ai) agent on OpenComputer, connecting it to Telegram, and chatting with it. By the end you'll have a personal AI agent running Claude via OpenRouter, reachable from your phone.

OpenClaw is a multi-channel AI gateway with a rich plugin SDK, native MCP support, and hot-reload configuration. It supports Telegram, Discord, Slack, Signal, WhatsApp, and more out of the box.

## Prerequisites

* An **OpenComputer API key** from [app.opencomputer.dev](https://app.opencomputer.dev)
* The **oc CLI** installed and configured
* **Telegram** installed on your phone or desktop ([download here](https://telegram.org/apps))

### Install the CLI

Install the `oc` binary from the [CLI installation guide](/cli/overview#installation).

```bash theme={null}
oc config set api-key YOUR_API_KEY
```

***

## Step 1: Create the agent

```bash theme={null}
oc agent create my-claw --core openclaw
```

This creates the agent, provisions an OpenClaw sandbox with Node 22 and the OpenRouter LLM provider pre-configured, and starts the OpenClaw gateway.

Check that the agent is running:

```bash theme={null}
oc agent get my-claw
```

```
ID:        my-claw
Name:      my-claw
Core:      openclaw
Channels:  -
Packages:  -
Instance:  inst_... (running)
```

Wait for the status to show `running` before proceeding. Provisioning typically takes 20-30 seconds.

***

## Step 2: Create a Telegram bot

Open [this link to BotFather](https://t.me/BotFather) in Telegram (or search for `@BotFather` in the app). Then:

1. Tap **Start** if it's your first time
2. Send `/newbot`
3. Enter a display name when prompted (e.g. "My OpenClaw Agent")
4. Enter a username -- must end in `bot` (e.g. `my_claw_test_bot`)
5. BotFather replies with a token like `110201543:AAHdqTcvCH1vGWJxfSeofSAs0K5PALDsaw` -- copy it

***

## Step 3: Connect Telegram

```bash theme={null}
oc agent connect my-claw telegram
```

The CLI will prompt you to paste the bot token. Alternatively, use the API directly:

```bash theme={null}
curl -X POST https://api.opencomputer.dev/v1/agents/my-claw/channels/telegram \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "X-API-Key: YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -d '{"bot_token": "YOUR_BOT_TOKEN"}'
```

This registers a webhook with Telegram and configures OpenClaw's built-in Telegram channel. OpenClaw hot-reloads the config automatically -- no gateway restart needed. Verify it worked:

```bash theme={null}
oc agent get my-claw
```

```
Channels:  telegram
```

***

## Step 4: Chat with your agent

Open Telegram, find your bot by its username, and send a message. The agent responds using Claude (via OpenRouter).

***

## Shell access

You can shell into the agent's sandbox at any time:

```bash theme={null}
oc shell my-claw
```

This opens an interactive terminal inside the agent's environment. Some useful commands:

```bash theme={null}
# Check the gateway health
curl -s http://localhost:18789/health

# View the config
cat ~/.openclaw/openclaw.json

# List MCP servers (packages wired as tool providers)
openclaw mcp list

# Check channel status
openclaw channels status

# View gateway logs
cat /tmp/openclaw/openclaw-*.log
```

See the [OpenClaw docs](https://openclaw.ai) for the full feature set: plugins, canvas, voice, browser tools, and more.

***

## Cleanup

Disconnect the channel and delete the agent:

```bash theme={null}
oc agent disconnect my-claw telegram
oc agent delete my-claw
```

Disconnecting removes the Telegram channel config. Deleting the agent tears down the sandbox.

***

## OpenClaw vs Hermes

Both cores support the same user journey (`create` / `connect` / `install`). The differences are under the hood:

|                 | Hermes                            | OpenClaw                        |
| --------------- | --------------------------------- | ------------------------------- |
| Config format   | YAML                              | JSON5                           |
| Config reload   | Gateway restart                   | Hot-reload (file watcher)       |
| Channel support | One at a time, adapter-configured | 6 built-in + 20 plugin channels |
| Plugin model    | Skills (files) + MCP              | Rich plugin SDK with manifests  |
| MCP support     | `mcp_servers` in YAML             | `mcp.servers` in JSON5          |

Choose Hermes for its self-improving skill loop and built-in memory. Choose OpenClaw for its breadth of channels and native plugin ecosystem.

***

## What's next

* **[Install gbrain](/agents/packages/gbrain)** for persistent memory: `oc agent install my-claw gbrain`
* **[Create a Hermes Agent](/guides/create-hermes-agent)** -- try the other managed core
* **Custom cores** -- bring your own agent runtime with `oc shell` and the raw sandbox API