Prerequisites for Running OpenClaw Windows Node: Complete System Requirements Guide

You need Windows 10 (20H2+) or Windows 11, .NET 10.0 SDK, Windows 10 SDK, and WebView2 Runtime to run OpenClaw Windows Node; Node.js and Git are only required when building from source.

OpenClaw Windows Node is a native Windows companion application built on WinUI 3 that requires modern system components to operate correctly. Meeting these prerequisites ensures the tray application and CLI utilities launch without runtime errors. This guide details every requirement validated by the build.ps1 script according to the openclaw/openclaw-windows-node source code.

Operating System Requirements

OpenClaw Windows Node targets WinUI 3, which restricts compatibility to recent Windows builds. The application will not launch on older versions or non-Windows operating systems.

You must run one of the following:

• Windows 10 version 20H2 or later
• Windows 11 any version

In build.ps1 lines 45-48, the script explicitly validates the operating system and aborts execution if it detects a non-Windows environment or an outdated build.

Required Runtime Components

The following components are mandatory for both pre-built installations and source builds.

.NET 10.0 SDK

All projects compile against .NET 10, and the runtime is required to execute the tray app and CLI utilities. The build.ps1 script checks for the SDK presence in lines 52-70 and fails with a descriptive error if the correct version is not detected.

You can verify your installation by running:

dotnet --version

Windows 10 SDK

WinUI 3 components require the Windows 10 SDK headers for compilation and certain runtime operations. The build script specifically checks for the SDK folder under C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Include (lines 119-127) and warns if the development kit is missing.

WebView2 Runtime

The embedded chat window relies on the WebView2 Runtime to render web content. While modern Windows installations include this component by default, the script verifies its presence in lines 130-146 and directs you to the Microsoft download page if absent.

Build-Only Prerequisites

The following tools are only necessary when compiling OpenClaw Windows Node from source. If you install using a pre-built MSI or EXE, you can skip these requirements.

Node.js and npm

The WinUI project executes npm ci during the build process to restore the @microsoft/mxc-sdk package. The build.ps1 script validates Node.js availability in lines 96-105, but this check is bypassed when running the compiled binary.

Git

Git is required for GitVersion to read repository metadata during the .NET build process. The script checks that git exists on your PATH in lines 78-92.

Verify Prerequisites with CheckOnly

Rather than checking components manually, run the helper script with the -CheckOnly parameter to see all missing items in one operation:

.\build.ps1 -CheckOnly

This command validates the operating system, .NET SDK, Windows SDK, WebView2, Node.js, and Git without attempting a build.

Install Components via Winget

Use the Windows Package Manager to install missing prerequisites quickly. Run the following commands in an elevated PowerShell session:

# .NET 10 SDK (preview channel)

winget install Microsoft.DotNet.SDK.10

# Windows 10 SDK (required for WinUI development)

winget install Microsoft.WindowsSDK

# WebView2 Runtime (if not present)

winget install Microsoft.WebView2

# Node.js LTS (only for source builds)

winget install OpenJS.NodeJS.LTS

# Git (only for source builds)

winget install Git.Git

Summary

• Operating System: Windows 10 (20H2+) or Windows 11 is required for WinUI 3 compatibility.
• Core Runtime: You need .NET 10.0 SDK, Windows 10 SDK, and WebView2 Runtime to run the application.
• Build Dependencies: Node.js and Git are only necessary when building from source, not for running the installed application.
• Validation: Use .\build.ps1 -CheckOnly to verify all prerequisites before installation or building.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I run OpenClaw Windows Node on Windows 7 or 8?

No. The application requires WinUI 3, which only runs on Windows 10 version 20H2 or later and Windows 11. The build.ps1 script explicitly blocks execution on older operating systems at lines 45-48.

Is .NET 10.0 strictly required, or can I use .NET 8 or 9?

.NET 10.0 is mandatory. All projects in the solution target .NET 10, and the build.ps1 script specifically checks for this SDK version in lines 52-70. The application will not compile or run with earlier .NET versions.

Do I need to install Node.js if I downloaded the installer instead of building from source?

No. Node.js and npm are only required for source builds to restore the @microsoft/mxc-sdk package during compilation. If you use a pre-built installer, you can skip Node.js entirely.

How can I check if WebView2 is already installed on my system?

The build.ps1 script automatically checks for WebView2 in lines 130-146. You can also verify manually by looking for "Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime" in your installed applications list, or by running .\build.ps1 -CheckOnly to see a detailed status report.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "instagit": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "instagit@latest"]
    }
  }
}