I got tired of looking up the same OpenClaw commands and config options over and over. So I made a 2-page cheat sheet that covers everything.
Here is what is on it, plus the key reference info you need most often.
Essential Commands
# Install
npm install -g openclaw
# Initialize
openclaw init
# Start/stop the gateway
openclaw gateway start
openclaw gateway stop
openclaw gateway restart
# Check status
openclaw status
openclaw gateway status
Core Files Quick Reference
| File | Purpose | Required? |
|---|---|---|
| SOUL.md | Agent identity, personality, rules | Yes |
| USER.md | Info about the human | Recommended |
| MEMORY.md | Long-term memory | Recommended |
| AGENTS.md | Boot sequence | Optional |
| TOOLS.md | External tool notes | Optional |
| HEARTBEAT.md | Health monitoring | Optional |
SOUL.md Minimal Template
# SOUL.md - [Agent Name]
## Identity
You are [role] specializing in [domain].
## Responsibilities
- [Task 1]
- [Task 2]
## Output Format
- Status: Done / In Progress / Blocked
- Summary: 1-2 sentences
- Next Steps: What happens next
## Safety
- Never [dangerous action]
- When unsure, ask the human
Cron Expressions You Will Actually Use
0 9 * * * # Daily at 9 AM
0 9 * * 1-5 # Weekdays at 9 AM
0 */4 * * * # Every 4 hours
0 9,18 * * * # 9 AM and 6 PM
0 10 * * 1 # Every Monday at 10 AM
0 0 1 * * # First of every month
Messaging Channels
OpenClaw supports 10+ channels out of the box:
- Telegram, Discord, Slack, Signal, WhatsApp
- Feishu, DingTalk, WeCom
- iMessage (macOS only)
- Google Chat
Each channel needs its own token/credentials in the config.
Troubleshooting Quick Fixes
Agent not responding?
openclaw gateway restart
Model errors?
- Check API key is set correctly
- Verify billing is active on your provider
- Try a different model temporarily
Memory issues?
- Check MEMORY.md size (keep under 500 lines)
- Clear old daily logs in memory/
Channel not connecting?
- Verify token/credentials
- Check webhook URL is accessible
- Review gateway logs
The Full Cheat Sheet
The complete 2-page printable reference covers all of the above plus security checklist, model configuration, advanced cron patterns, and debugging commands.
Get it here: OpenClaw Cheat Sheet
Free resources:
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