# OpenClaw install fails: "this OpenClaw release requires Node >=24.22.1 <25 || >=26.12.1"

- Fix ID: AGT-01
- Exact error: `[openclaw] error: this OpenClaw release requires Node >=24.22.1 <25 || >=26.12.1.`
- Status: Manually verified (CI: pending, no CI results exist yet)
- Last verified: 2026-10-26
- Platforms: OpenClaw
- Versions: os=Debian 13 (x64 container); node_before=20.19.2; node_after=26.12.1; npm=11.20.0 (bundled with Node 26.12.1); openclaw=2026.10.7 (157d8c2)
- Repro: https://stucktoshipped.com/repros/AGT-01/ (file hashes only; files are in the paid repro bundle)
- Canonical: https://stucktoshipped.com/fixes/openclaw/requires-node-24-or-26/

## In brief
Your Node version is older than OpenClaw's supported range. The full fix shows the supported versions, three ways to switch Node safely, the reinstall, and the check that confirms it worked, plus the Windows Companion variant.

## Symptom
You run `npm install -g openclaw` on a VPS, a Raspberry Pi, or a laptop with an older Node, often the one your Linux distro or VPS image ships. The install stops with:

```
npm error [openclaw] error: this OpenClaw release requires Node >=24.22.1 <25 || >=26.12.1.
npm error [openclaw] detected Node 20.19.2 (exec: /usr/bin/node).
npm error [openclaw] install Node: https://nodejs.org/en/download
```

## Why it happens
- **Current OpenClaw only supports Node 24.22.1+ (24.x) or Node 26.12.1+.** OpenClaw's Node page says Node 22, 23 and 25 are unsupported.
- **The install script checks your Node version first** and refuses to continue.
- **Heads-up, the docs disagree with each other:** on Oct 26 the "System requirements" box on docs.openclaw.ai/install still said "Node 24.16+ or 26.1+". The npm `engines` field (`>=24.22.1 <25 || >=26.12.1`) is the one the installer enforces.

## What we could not test
- macOS, Windows/WSL (including the Companion variant above), Raspberry Pi (ARM), and Alpine/musl.
- nvm, fnm or NodeSource specifically, and OpenClaw's own installer script.
- Starting the gateway or chatting with a model (needs a model key we don't have).

## Full fix (paid)
The step-by-step fix, commands and test record are paid content and are not in this file. Price: $4 per fix (planned launch price; checkout not open yet). SHA-256 of the full fix: 4ef3dc3e00f906c2163f270a113a0460a1cda691184ae458edc6f448889b74dc. How to buy: https://stucktoshipped.com/pricing/ and https://stucktoshipped.com/products.json

## Sources
- [OpenClaw docs: Node.js runtime (supported versions)](https://docs.openclaw.ai/install/node)
- [OpenClaw docs: Node.js compatibility](https://docs.openclaw.ai/install/node-compatibility)
- [OpenClaw Community forum: Installation Error - Node Version Fix (Windows Companion variant, Oct 25, 2026)](https://community.openclaw.ai/t/installation-error-node-version-fix/223)
- [openclaw-windows-node#1843 (Companion installs Node 24.19.0 in WSL)](https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw-windows-node/issues/1843)
- [GitHub #145658: Setup fails in install-cli step due to unsupported Node version](https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/issues/145658)
- [GitHub #164396: clean Node 22 LTS install fails to connect](https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/issues/164396)
- [GitHub PR #81264: installer Node floor aligned with package engine](https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/pull/81264)

## How this page was made
Drafted by an AI agent and reproduced on our test machine on 2026-10-26. No warranty; test on a copy first.