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OpenClaw Docker CLI Commands

OpenClaw commands can be executed inside a running Docker container using docker exec. This reference covers the full Docker command set for managing gateways, channels, cron jobs, and configuration without entering the container shell.

Usage: Replace <name> with your container name in every command below.

Quick Reference

Docker Command Description
docker exec -it <name> openclaw doctor Automated health check and auto-fix
docker exec -it <name> openclaw gateway restart Restarts the gateway service
docker exec -it <name> openclaw logs --follow Streams live logs
docker exec -it <name> openclaw channels status Checks active channels health
docker exec -it <name> openclaw config get Retrieves configuration settings
docker exec -it <name> openclaw cron list Lists scheduled jobs
docker exec -it <name> openclaw gateway status Status of gateway service
docker exec -it <name> openclaw gateway health Deep check on gateway dependencies
docker exec -it <name> openclaw channels list Lists all registered channels
docker exec -it <name> openclaw channels logs Fetches channel-specific logs
docker exec -it <name> openclaw config set Updates a configuration value
docker exec -it <name> openclaw status Global health summary
docker exec -it <name> openclaw cron status Cron daemon operational status
docker exec -it <name> openclaw cron runs History of recent scheduled jobs
docker exec -it <name> openclaw channels add Registers a new channel
docker exec -it <name> openclaw channels remove Deletes a channel configuration
docker exec -it <name> openclaw channels capabilities Inspects channel features
docker exec -it <name> openclaw cron add Adds a scheduled task
docker exec -it <name> openclaw cron edit Modifies an existing cron job
docker exec -it <name> openclaw cron rm Removes a scheduled task
docker exec -it <name> openclaw configure Launches setup wizard
docker exec -it <name> openclaw onboard Runs initial onboarding script

Must Run After Installation & Monitoring

Essential commands to validate a fresh installation and establish a health baseline before going live.

Docker Command Description
docker exec -it <name> openclaw health Fetches health information from the running gateway
docker exec -it <name> openclaw security audit --deep Audits config with a live gateway probe
docker exec -it <name> openclaw security audit --fix Applies safe fixes to tighten security
docker exec -it <name> openclaw doctor Runs health checks across all services
docker exec -it <name> openclaw doctor --fix Runs health checks and applies quick fixes for the gateway

Most Frequent

Commands you'll reach for daily — health checks, live log streaming, and active channel monitoring.

openclaw doctor

Runs an automated health check across all services and attempts to auto-fix detected issues. Start here whenever something feels off.

docker exec -it <name> openclaw doctor

openclaw gateway restart

Restarts the gateway service. Use when the gateway is unresponsive or after a configuration change that requires a fresh start.

docker exec -it <name> openclaw gateway restart

openclaw logs --follow

Streams live logs in real time. Equivalent to tail -f for the OpenClaw runtime — essential during debugging or deployment.

docker exec -it <name> openclaw logs --follow

openclaw channels status

Checks the health of all active channels. Shows which channels are up, degraded, or disconnected at a glance.

docker exec -it <name> openclaw channels status

openclaw config get

Retrieves the current configuration settings. Use this to inspect active values before making changes.

docker exec -it <name> openclaw config get

openclaw cron list

Lists all scheduled jobs and their next execution times. Useful for verifying that automations are registered correctly.

docker exec -it <name> openclaw cron list

Medium Frequent

Commands for deeper diagnostics, channel management, and cron job history — reached for when issues need investigation.

openclaw gateway status

Shows the current operational status of the gateway service, including uptime and connection state.

docker exec -it <name> openclaw gateway status

openclaw gateway health

Performs a deep health check on gateway dependencies — useful when status shows degraded state and you need root cause.

docker exec -it <name> openclaw gateway health

openclaw channels list

Lists all registered channels with their identifiers and basic metadata.

docker exec -it <name> openclaw channels list

openclaw channels logs

Fetches logs scoped to a specific channel. Useful for isolating issues to a single channel rather than the global log stream.

docker exec -it <name> openclaw channels logs

openclaw config set

Updates a configuration value at runtime. Changes take effect immediately without requiring a restart.

docker exec -it <name> openclaw config set

openclaw status

Returns a global health summary across all services — gateway, channels, cron, and config — in one view.

docker exec -it <name> openclaw status

openclaw cron status

Reports whether the cron daemon is running and operational. Check this before investigating missed scheduled jobs.

docker exec -it <name> openclaw cron status

openclaw cron runs

Displays the history of recently executed scheduled jobs, including timestamps and outcomes.

docker exec -it <name> openclaw cron runs

Less Frequent

Setup, onboarding, and structural changes — used during initial configuration or major changes to channels and schedules.

openclaw channels add

Registers a new channel with the OpenClaw runtime. Run this when integrating a new platform or endpoint.

docker exec -it <name> openclaw channels add

openclaw channels remove

Deletes a channel configuration permanently. Verify the channel is no longer needed before removing.

docker exec -it <name> openclaw channels remove

openclaw channels capabilities

Inspects the feature set supported by a channel — useful when troubleshooting missing functionality.

docker exec -it <name> openclaw channels capabilities

openclaw cron add

Adds a new scheduled task to the cron daemon. Specify the schedule expression and target action.

docker exec -it <name> openclaw cron add

openclaw cron edit

Modifies the schedule or parameters of an existing cron job without removing and re-adding it.

docker exec -it <name> openclaw cron edit

openclaw cron rm

Removes a scheduled task from the cron daemon entirely.

docker exec -it <name> openclaw cron rm

openclaw configure

Launches the interactive setup wizard for initial or advanced configuration. Guided and menu-driven.

docker exec -it <name> openclaw configure

openclaw onboard

Runs the initial onboarding script for a fresh OpenClaw installation. Typically used once during first-time setup.

docker exec -it <name> openclaw onboard