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clawdbot/docs/platforms/windows.md
2026-01-25 02:30:09 +00:00

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---
summary: "Windows (WSL2) support + companion app status"
read_when:
- Installing Clawdbot on Windows
- Looking for Windows companion app status
---
# Windows (WSL2)
Clawdbot on Windows is recommended **via WSL2** (Ubuntu recommended). The
CLI + Gateway run inside Linux, which keeps the runtime consistent and makes
tooling far more compatible (Node/Bun/pnpm, Linux binaries, skills). Native
Windows installs are untested and more problematic.
Native Windows companion apps are planned.
## Install (WSL2)
- [Getting Started](/start/getting-started) (use inside WSL)
- [Install & updates](/install/updating)
- Official WSL2 guide (Microsoft): https://learn.microsoft.com/windows/wsl/install
## Gateway
- [Gateway runbook](/gateway)
- [Configuration](/gateway/configuration)
## Gateway service install (CLI)
Inside WSL2:
```
clawdbot onboard --install-daemon
```
Or:
```
clawdbot gateway install
```
Or:
```
clawdbot configure
```
Select **Gateway service** when prompted.
Repair/migrate:
```
clawdbot doctor
```
## Advanced: expose WSL services over LAN (portproxy)
WSL has its own virtual network. If another machine needs to reach a service
running **inside WSL** (SSH, a local TTS server, or the Gateway), you must
forward a Windows port to the current WSL IP. The WSL IP changes after restarts,
so you may need to refresh the forwarding rule.
Example (PowerShell **as Administrator**):
```powershell
$Distro = "Ubuntu-24.04"
$ListenPort = 2222
$TargetPort = 22
$WslIp = (wsl -d $Distro -- hostname -I).Trim().Split(" ")[0]
if (-not $WslIp) { throw "WSL IP not found." }
netsh interface portproxy add v4tov4 listenaddress=0.0.0.0 listenport=$ListenPort `
connectaddress=$WslIp connectport=$TargetPort
```
Allow the port through Windows Firewall (one-time):
```powershell
New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "WSL SSH $ListenPort" -Direction Inbound `
-Protocol TCP -LocalPort $ListenPort -Action Allow
```
Refresh the portproxy after WSL restarts:
```powershell
netsh interface portproxy delete v4tov4 listenport=$ListenPort listenaddress=0.0.0.0 | Out-Null
netsh interface portproxy add v4tov4 listenport=$ListenPort listenaddress=0.0.0.0 `
connectaddress=$WslIp connectport=$TargetPort | Out-Null
```
Notes:
- SSH from another machine targets the **Windows host IP** (example: `ssh user@windows-host -p 2222`).
- Remote nodes must point at a **reachable** Gateway URL (not `127.0.0.1`); use
`clawdbot status --all` to confirm.
- Use `listenaddress=0.0.0.0` for LAN access; `127.0.0.1` keeps it local only.
- If you want this automatic, register a Scheduled Task to run the refresh
step at login.
## Step-by-step WSL2 install
### 1) Install WSL2 + Ubuntu
Open PowerShell (Admin):
```powershell
wsl --install
# Or pick a distro explicitly:
wsl --list --online
wsl --install -d Ubuntu-24.04
```
Reboot if Windows asks.
### 2) Enable systemd (required for gateway install)
In your WSL terminal:
```bash
sudo tee /etc/wsl.conf >/dev/null <<'EOF'
[boot]
systemd=true
EOF
```
Then from PowerShell:
```powershell
wsl --shutdown
```
Re-open Ubuntu, then verify:
```bash
systemctl --user status
```
### 3) Install Clawdbot (inside WSL)
Follow the Linux Getting Started flow inside WSL:
```bash
git clone https://github.com/clawdbot/clawdbot.git
cd clawdbot
pnpm install
pnpm ui:build # auto-installs UI deps on first run
pnpm build
clawdbot onboard
```
Full guide: [Getting Started](/start/getting-started)
## Windows companion app
We do not have a Windows companion app yet. Contributions are welcome if you want
contributions to make it happen.