Locate the executable in the right context
- 1
Check your shell
Record the resolved path and version.
command -v claude claude --version - 2
Check the Gateway owner
A service, container, or different user can have another home and PATH.
openclaw gateway status --json - 3
Run doctor
Inspect backend and environment readiness without applying unrelated repairs.
openclaw doctor --json - 4
Restart after PATH changes
Managed services capture environment at install/reload time; verify after restart.
openclaw gateway restart openclaw gateway status --require-rpc
Container-specific persistence
The official OpenClaw image does not preinstall Claude Code. If you install it inside a container, persist the relevant home paths and use the same non-root user for install, authentication, and execution. Recreating an image without those volumes can remove the binary while leaving unrelated OpenClaw state intact.
Primary sources
Verify against the owner.
Content snapshot follows official docs main at the recorded commit; the current package metadata reported 2026.8.1 when verified. Your installed release and live CLI schema remain authoritative.