How to Install OpenClaw Skills (2026): Step-by-Step + Fixes

If your search was openclaw setup, this guide is the exact installation and verification flow.

Installing OpenClaw Skills is the fastest way to turn a general assistant into a practical operator for your real workflows.

This guide gives you a reliable install playbook for beginners and teams:

1. Install from the built-in UI (recommended for most users)
2. Install from a skill hub/directory
3. Install manually from a local folder or Git repo
4. Verify the skill loaded correctly
5. Troubleshoot common install failures

If you are new to the ecosystem, read What Is an OpenClaw Skill? first.

TL;DR

• Fastest path: install from Skills UI, then run one dry-run task.
• Developer path: use CLI checks like openclaw skills list --eligible.
• If skill is installed but not working, check three things first: permission scope, dependencies, credentials.

Table of contents

• Quick install command template
• Before you install: 2-minute preflight checklist
• OpenClaw setup verification checklist
• Method 1: Install with the built-in Skills UI
• Method 2: Install from a skill hub or directory
• Method 3: Install manually from local folder or Git
• Install OpenClaw skills with CLI (fast diagnostics)
• Common installation failures (and fixes)
• FAQ
• References

Quick install command template

Use this as a starting pattern, then adapt it to your environment:

# 1) pick a workspace
cd /path/to/your/openclaw-workspace

# 2) clone or copy a skill folder into your configured skills directory
git clone <skill-repo-url> ./skills/<skill-name>

# 3) restart or reload the runtime
# (actual command depends on your deployment)

If your setup uses a UI-first flow, keep using the UI and treat this command block as a fallback reference.

Before you install: 2-minute preflight checklist

Before adding any skill, confirm these basics:

• You are running a working OpenClaw instance
• You know which environment you are targeting (local dev, server, workspace)
• You understand which capabilities are enabled (file, shell, web, connectors)
• You are ready to provide credentials through secure config or env vars

This avoids most “installed but not working” situations.

OpenClaw setup verification checklist

After installation, run this quick verification:

1. Confirm the skill is visible in the active environment.
2. Run one dry-run task and one small real task.
3. Check permission scope before enabling broader automation.

Method 1: Install with the built-in Skills UI

For most users, this is the safest and easiest path.

Steps

1. Open your OpenClaw interface and go to the Skills section.
2. Search for the skill you want.
3. Enable or install the skill.
4. Fill required configuration fields (tokens, endpoints, IDs).
5. Save and reload/restart if prompted.

Why this method is good

• Fastest onboarding
• Clear enable/disable controls
• Better visibility into required configuration

Reference:

• OpenClaw Skills Docs

Method 2: Install from a skill hub or directory

If you found a skill in a public directory, follow the install command or repository instructions provided there.

Typical flow

1. Open the skill listing.
2. Review description, maintainer, and last update date.
3. Run the provided install command or link the repository.
4. Reload OpenClaw and test with one small task.

Safety checks before running third-party install commands

• Verify repository ownership and activity
• Read SKILL.md before enabling
• Check scripts for unexpected shell/network behavior
• Prefer least-privilege tool settings

For a deeper risk checklist, see Security Center.

References:

• OpenClaw ClawHub Docs
• OpenClaw Tools & Skills Docs

Method 3: Install manually from local folder or Git

Manual install is useful when:

• You are developing your own skill
• You want a pinned internal version
• You need custom references or private docs

Expected structure

At minimum, a skill folder needs:

• SKILL.md (required)

Optional files:

• references/ for context docs
• scripts/ for helper commands
• templates/assets used by that skill

Manual install flow

1. Place the skill folder in the configured skills directory.
2. Ensure naming is clear and consistent.
3. Confirm SKILL.md exists and has valid frontmatter.
4. Restart or reload OpenClaw.
5. Ask the agent to use the skill for a simple test request.

Reference:

• OpenClaw Skills Docs

Install OpenClaw skills with CLI (fast diagnostics)

When UI behavior is unclear, verify from CLI:

openclaw skills list
openclaw skills list --eligible
openclaw skills info <skill-name>
openclaw skills check

--eligible is the key command for troubleshooting because it filters to skills that are actually runnable in the current environment.

How to verify a skill installed correctly

Use this quick verification sequence:

1. Skill appears in your skills list.
2. Agent recognizes the skill name and purpose.
3. A low-risk test task succeeds.
4. Logs show no missing dependency or auth error.

Example test prompt:

“Use the installed skill and run a minimal dry-run example. Explain each step and required permissions before executing.”

Common installation failures (and fixes)

1) Skill is visible but never used

Possible causes:

• SKILL.md description is vague
• task request does not match skill scope
• skill priority/conflict with another skill

Fix:

• tighten skill description to be explicit
• use clear invocation wording in your request
• temporarily disable overlapping skills to test

2) Skill runs but fails mid-task

Possible causes:

• missing CLI dependency
• missing env vars/tokens
• blocked tool permission

Fix:

• install required CLI/runtime
• add credentials securely
• allow the minimum required capability

3) Skill never appears after installation

Possible causes:

• wrong directory path
• invalid folder naming
• no SKILL.md

Fix:

• verify configured skills directory
• validate folder structure
• restart service/process

Troubleshooting decision table

Test matrix (example)

Use a simple matrix so your team can track install reliability across environments.

Tip: Keep this table updated after each release so new teammates can copy proven setup paths.

Known limits

Before production rollout, keep these limits in mind:

• Some skills assume specific external CLIs are already installed.
• Skill behavior may differ between local and server runtimes due to permission policy differences.
• Community skill quality is uneven; maintenance status can change quickly.
• A successful install does not guarantee all workflows are safe by default; policy and approvals still matter.

Team recommendation: use a “safe rollout” process

For teams, avoid direct production rollout of new skills.

Suggested process:

1. Evaluate in sandbox
2. Run checklist and small test tasks
3. Document required permissions
4. Promote to shared environment
5. Monitor failures for 24-48 hours

This significantly reduces operational surprises.

Final checklist

Before you call installation complete:

• skill installed from trusted source
• required credentials configured
• minimal test task passed
• restart/reload performed
• behavior documented for future teammates

Conclusion

To install OpenClaw skills reliably, use one clear method (UI, CLI, or manual), then verify eligibility and permissions before broader rollout. If a skill installs but fails, check scope, dependencies, and credentials first.

FAQ

Is UI install or manual install better for beginners?

UI install is usually better for beginners because required fields and enable state are visible in one place.

Why is my skill installed but not triggered?

Most cases are intent mismatch (description too vague), scope overlap with another skill, or missing eligible dependencies.

Do I always need restart after install?

Not always, but restart/reload is the most reliable step when a skill does not appear immediately.

Which command shows truly usable skills in my environment?

Use openclaw skills list --eligible.

References

• OpenClaw Tools and Skills Docs
• OpenClaw CLI Skills Docs
• OpenClaw Skills Docs
• What Is an OpenClaw Skill?
• OpenClaw Skill Troubleshooting: 15 Common Errors
• OpenClaw Skill Security Checklist

Next step

Now that installation is clear, continue with:

• What Is an OpenClaw Skill? Beginner Setup & Safety Guide
• All tutorials
• About this project