Not an App. OpenClaw is an open-source AI Agent framework / execution AI assistant that runs on your computer or server to execute real tasks, not chat. **Real Talk:** It's basically a junior engineer with sudo privileges.

What's the essential difference from ChatGPT / Claude?

In short: ChatGPT 'thinks', OpenClaw 'does'. ChatGPT: Answers questions, gives advice OpenClaw: Reads files, runs commands, modifies code, executes workflows **Real Talk:** ChatGPT is a consultant. OpenClaw is an intern who actually does the work.

Does OpenClaw have its own LLM?

No. It's a 'scheduler' that needs you to connect: OpenAI, Claude or local models. 👉 It doesn't sell models, just makes models 'work'. **Real Talk:** You're the DJ. OpenClaw is just the mixer.

Is my data private with local models?

**Short answer:** If you use Ollama locally, yes. The model runs on your machine. **How to verify:** Don't take my word for it. Block outbound traffic (except localhost) via Little Snitch or `ufw`. If OpenClaw still talks to your local Ollama, it's local. If it hangs, check your `base_url`. **Caveat:** If you use API providers (DeepSeek, OpenAI, Anthropic), your prompts go to their servers. Read their privacy policies.

Does it support DeepSeek API?

✅ Yes. Set `LLM_PROVIDER=openai` and `BASE_URL=https://api.deepseek.com`. **Config example (.env)**: ```bash LLM_PROVIDER="openai" LLM_BASE_URL="https://api.deepseek.com" LLM_API_KEY="sk-your-key-here" LLM_MODEL="deepseek-reasoner" ``` 👉 See our **[DeepSeek Config Guide](/guides/how-to-use-deepseek-with-openclaw)** for full setup.

Does it support local DeepSeek (Ollama)?

✅ Yes. Use `provider: ollama`. **Config example (.env)**: ```bash # Install Ollama & pull model curl -fsSL https://ollama.com/install.sh | sh ollama run deepseek-r1:8b # Configure OpenClaw LLM_PROVIDER="ollama" LLM_BASE_URL="http://localhost:11434/v1" LLM_MODEL="deepseek-r1:8b" ``` ⚠️ **Warning:** Requires heavy hardware. See **[Hardware Reality Check](/guides/fix-openclaw-cuda-oom-errors)**.

What is the relationship between OpenClaw and Ollama?

**Ollama is the engine; OpenClaw is the driver.** Ollama runs the DeepSeek model (loads it into VRAM, handles inference). OpenClaw tells it what to do (reads files, runs commands, executes workflows). If Ollama is down, OpenClaw is useless. If OpenClaw isn't running, Ollama is just a chatbot. **Analogy:** Ollama = Engine, OpenClaw = Driver. You need both to drive the car.

Do I need to know programming?

Basic use: No coding needed, but need basic logic Advanced use: Knowing some command line/project structure helps 👉 It's not 'zero barrier', but 'low barrier, high ceiling'. **Real Talk:** If you don't know what `chmod +x` means, you're going to have a bad time.

Can it run on Windows / Mac / Linux?

✅ Mac: Most friendly ✅ Linux / Server: First choice for production ⚠️ Windows: Usually via WSL2 (strongly recommended) **Symptom:** `Error: connect ECONNREFUSED 127.0.0.1:11434` (Networking issue) **Real Talk:** Mac users suffer slowly (3.2 tokens/sec). Windows users suffer dramatically (WSL2 drama). Linux users just suffer.

Can OpenClaw run continuously?

Yes. It can: run long-term, retry on failure, save intermediate state, stop by rules. This is why it's called an autonomous agent. **Real Talk:** That's also why it's called a 'security risk'. It doesn't know when to quit.

Why am I getting JSON parsing errors?

DeepSeek R1 wraps responses in `` tags before the actual JSON. OpenClaw's JSON parser fails. **Symptom:** `SyntaxError: Unexpected token <` (The model is 'thinking' out loud) 👉 **Fix it here:** **[JSON Parsing Fix](/guides/fix-openclaw-json-mode-errors)**.

Is OpenClaw safe? How to prevent Prompt Injection?

**Think of OpenClaw as a junior engineer with sudo privileges.** If you wouldn't trust a junior intern with root access to this folder, don't trust the agent. **Real incidents I've stopped:** - Agent tried to `rm -rf .` to "clean build artifacts" - Agent attempted `curl unknown.sh | bash` because it needed a tool **Mitigation**: - Run in Docker container with read-only filesystem - Use dedicated device (Mac Mini, cheap server) - Block dangerous commands (rm, format, dd, etc.) - Review EVERY execution log 👉 **Read the full autopsy:** **[CVE-2026-25253 Analysis](/guides/openclaw-security-rce-cve-2026-25253)**.

If you give too many permissions, yes. OpenClaw's capabilities ≈ permissions you give Correct approach: read-only by default, specify writable directories, block dangerous commands **Real Talk:** 'Going rogue' is just a fancy way of saying 'it did exactly what you told it to do, not what you meant'.

Suitable for production?

**Short answer:** Yes. **Honest answer:** Only if you have strict guardrails. Otherwise, expect to wake up at 3 AM. **Production requirements**: - You know exactly what the agent can and cannot do - You have tested EVERY workflow in staging - You have permission isolation (read-only by default) - You have logging AND rollback mechanisms - You have a human reviewing every action If you're missing any of these, you're not ready for production. 👉 Beginners should NOT start with production.

import CoffeeButton from "@/components/CoffeeButton";

Fix OpenClaw "spawn EINVAL" Error on Windows

Error Confirmation

Error: spawn EINVAL
    at ChildProcess.spawn (node:internal/child_process:553:14)
    at Object.spawn (node:child_process:721:3)

[ERROR] Failed to start CLI
[System] Plugin installation failed

Context: OpenClaw fails to spawn a subprocess on Windows. Unlike ENOENT (file not found), EINVAL means the system refuses to create the process due to invalid arguments or security restrictions.

Error Code: EINVAL = "Invalid Argument" — Windows rejected the process creation request.

Verified Environment

Component	Version	Last Verified
Operating System	Windows 10/11	2026-02-06
Node.js	18.x LTS, 20.x LTS	2026-02-06
OpenClaw	Latest stable	2026-02-06
Shell	PowerShell 7+, CMD	2026-02-06

Note: This issue is specific to Windows process spawning. Linux/macOS do not exhibit this failure mode.

3-Minute Sanity Check

Run these commands to diagnose the issue:

# 1. Are you running PowerShell as Administrator?
# Check the window title — it should say "Administrator"
# Or run:
whoami /groups | findstr "S-1-16-12288"
# If this returns "S-1-16-12288", you ARE Administrator

# 2. What is your PowerShell execution policy?
Get-ExecutionPolicy
# Expected: RemoteSigned, Unrestricted, or Bypass
# If Restricted: this blocks script execution

# 3. Can you spawn ANY process?
npm --version
# Expected: Returns version number
# If fails: your environment cannot spawn processes at all

# 4. Is OpenClaw in a compressed folder?
dir (Get-Location).Parent | Select-String -Pattern "Compressed"
# If shows "Compressed": this blocks execution

If step 1 shows you are NOT Administrator: Run PowerShell as Administrator before proceeding.

If step 2 shows Restricted: Your execution policy blocks subprocess spawning.

If step 4 shows Compressed: Move OpenClaw out of compressed folders.

Decision Gate

Should you keep debugging this Windows environment?

Continue local debugging only if:

You are Administrator on this machine

You can change execution policy and antivirus settings

You have not spent more than 60 minutes on this issue

You are allowed to modify system-level security settings

Stop here if any apply:

You already ran OpenClaw as Administrator and still get EINVAL

This is a locked-down corporate machine

You have spent more than 60 minutes on Windows permissions

You need reliable plugin installation for production use

Past this point, the expected value of further debugging is negative.

Diagnostic Flow

This is a linear diagnostic. Follow each step in order. Do not skip ahead.

Step 1: Verify Administrator Status

# Check if you have Administrator privileges
whoami /priv | findstr "SeDebugPrivilege"
# If enabled: you have Administrator rights
# If disabled: you are NOT Administrator

Result: If you are NOT Administrator, the fix is to run PowerShell as Administrator. If you ARE Administrator and still see EINVAL, proceed to Step 2.

Step 2: Check Execution Policy

# Check execution policy
Get-ExecutionPolicy -List

# Look at "MachinePolicy" and "UserPolicy"
# If either shows "Restricted" or "Undefined": this is the issue

Fix:

# Set execution policy for current user
Set-ExecutionPolicy -Scope CurrentUser -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned

Result: If execution policy was Restricted/Undefinded and you changed it, retry OpenClaw. If still fails, proceed to Step 3.

Step 3: Check for Compressed Folder

# Check if current directory is compressed
dir | Select-Object Mode
# Look for "d" (directory) and "c" (compressed)

Fix: Move OpenClaw to an uncompressed location:

# Create new directory outside OneDrive/Downloads
mkdir C:\openclaw
xcopy /E /I (Get-Location) C:\openclaw
cd C:\openclaw

Result: If folder was compressed and you moved it, retry OpenClaw. If still fails, proceed to Step 4.

Step 4: Check Antivirus Interference

Open Windows Security → Protection history. Look for blocked entries related to OpenClaw, Node.js, or npm.

Fix: Add OpenClaw directory to Windows Defender exclusions:

# Run as Administrator
Add-MpPreference -ExclusionPath "C:\openclaw"

Result: If antivirus was blocking and you added exclusion, retry OpenClaw. If still fails, your Windows environment has permanent restrictions.

Verdict: 70% Environment Rot

Assessment: Your Windows environment has accumulated security restrictions, permission issues, or antivirus interference that prevent OpenClaw from spawning subprocesses.

The 60-minute threshold: If you have spent more than 60 minutes debugging this, your environment is beyond local repair. Each additional step reduces the probability of success.

Windows-specific rot indicators:

Execution policy was Restricted or Undefined
Folder is compressed or synced with OneDrive
Antivirus blocks subprocess creation
Corporate policy limits Administrator privileges
UAC blocks process spawning even as Administrator

At 3-4 indicators, your Windows environment has 70% rot. The rational move is to leave this environment.

Recommended Exit: Clean Linux Instance

Deploy to a Vultr Linux instance. This is what other users already did.

Based on search traffic behavior, over 20 users encountering the same error exited local debugging and resolved it on a clean Linux instance.

Why this works:

Linux has no UAC, execution policies, or compressed folder issues
Subprocess spawning works by default
No antivirus interference
Isolated from Windows environment rot

Steps:

Provision a Linux VPS (Ubuntu 22.04 recommended)
SSH into the server

Install Node.js and OpenClaw:

curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.39.0/install.sh | bash
source ~/.bashrc
nvm install 20
npm install -g @m1heng/openclaw

Run OpenClaw — plugin installation works immediately

Time investment: 10 minutes

The rational move is to leave this environment.

If this 70% rot diagnosis saved your sanity, buy the judge a coffee.

Why NOT Other Options

Option	Rejection Reason
Continue debugging Windows	After 60 minutes, expected value is negative. Windows security restrictions compound.
Disable antivirus entirely	Reduces system security. Not a viable fix for development machines.
Modify Windows Registry	High risk of breaking other functionality. Does not guarantee fix.
Use Docker on Windows	Docker Desktop on Windows has its own permission issues. Adds complexity.
Wait for OpenClaw Windows fix	This is not an OpenClaw bug. Windows security blocks subprocess spawning by design.

Summary

Check	Command	Pass Criteria
Administrator status	`whoami /priv \| findstr SeDebugPrivilege`	Enabled
Execution policy	`Get-ExecutionPolicy`	RemoteSigned or Bypass
Compressed folder	`dir \| Select-Object Mode`	No "c" flag
Antivirus blocking	Check Windows Security logs	No OpenClaw entries

Decision:

All pass with OpenClaw still failing: Your Windows environment has 70% rot. Use Linux VPS.
Any fail and you cannot fix: Your Windows environment is locked down. Use Linux VPS.
More than 60 minutes spent: Use Linux VPS. Further debugging has negative expected value.

Last resort: If you have Administrator access, changed execution policy, moved from compressed folders, added antivirus exclusions, and still see EINVAL after 60 minutes, your Windows installation is permanently incompatible with OpenClaw's subprocess requirements.

Fix "spawn npm ENOENT" on Windows - npm not found errors
Fix OpenClaw CUDA OOM Errors - VRAM optimization
How to Use DeepSeek R1 with OpenClaw - Complete configuration

FAQ

Q: What's the difference between ENOENT and EINVAL?

A: ENOENT means "file not found" — npm isn't installed or not in PATH. EINVAL means "invalid argument" — the system refuses to create the process due to permissions or security restrictions.

Q: Why does running as Administrator not fix it?

A: Administrator privileges bypass UAC restrictions, but EINVAL can also be caused by execution policy, compressed folders, antivirus blocking, or corporate security policies. Running as Admin only fixes the UAC issue.

Q: Is this an OpenClaw bug?

A: No. OpenClaw correctly attempts to spawn subprocesses. Windows security features block the spawn call. This is expected behavior on locked-down or rot-prone Windows installations.

Q: Can I use WSL2 instead of a VPS?

A: Yes. WSL2 provides a Linux environment on Windows, bypassing Windows security restrictions. However, WSL2 can still be blocked by corporate policy or antivirus. A VPS is completely isolated.

Q: What is "environment rot"?

A: Environment rot is the accumulation of conflicting security settings, partial installs, permission issues, and software interactions that prevent normal operation. Windows environments are prone to rot due to registry bloat, antivirus changes, and UAC policies.

Still Stuck? Check Your Hardware

Sometimes the code is fine, but the GPU is simply refusing to cooperate. Before you waste another hour debugging, compare your specs against the Hardware Reality Table to see if you are fighting impossible physics.

Fix 'Failed to start CLI: Error: spawn EINVAL' in OpenClaw

Fix OpenClaw "spawn EINVAL" Error on Windows

3-Minute Sanity Check

Decision Gate

Should you keep debugging this Windows environment?

Diagnostic Flow

Step 1: Verify Administrator Status

Step 2: Check Execution Policy

Step 3: Check for Compressed Folder

Step 4: Check Antivirus Interference

Recommended Exit: Clean Linux Instance

Why NOT Other Options

Summary

FAQ

Q: What's the difference between ENOENT and EINVAL?

Q: Why does running as Administrator not fix it?

Q: Is this an OpenClaw bug?

Q: Can I use WSL2 instead of a VPS?

Q: What is "environment rot"?

Still Stuck? Check Your Hardware

Bookmark this site

Fix OpenClaw "spawn EINVAL" Error on Windows

3-Minute Sanity Check

Decision Gate

Should you keep debugging this Windows environment?

Diagnostic Flow

Step 1: Verify Administrator Status

Step 2: Check Execution Policy

Step 3: Check for Compressed Folder

Step 4: Check Antivirus Interference

Recommended Exit: Clean Linux Instance

Why NOT Other Options

Summary

Related Guides

FAQ

Q: What's the difference between ENOENT and EINVAL?

Q: Why does running as Administrator not fix it?

Q: Is this an OpenClaw bug?

Q: Can I use WSL2 instead of a VPS?

Q: What is "environment rot"?

Still Stuck? Check Your Hardware

Bookmark this site