Documentation Menu
Running Commands
How to use the console to interact with your agent's environment.
On this page
The console drops you into a shell session inside your agent’s container. Here is how to orient yourself and get things done.
Working Directory
Your agent’s home directory is /home/node/.openclaw/. This is where OpenClaw stores its configuration, agent profiles, and runtime data. When the console opens, you start here or in the container’s default working directory.
Viewing Agent Configuration
The main configuration file is openclaw.json in the home directory:
cat /home/node/.openclaw/openclaw.json
This is a JSON5 file that controls agent behavior, model settings, and feature flags. It is hot-reloadable, so changes take effect without a full restart.
Checking Auth Profiles
To see which API keys are configured:
cat /home/node/.openclaw/agents/main/agent/auth-profiles.json
This shows all configured providers and their keys. Keys are stored in plain text inside the container. This is your isolated environment and only you have access to it.
Viewing Logs
Check what your agent has been doing:
ls /home/node/.openclaw/logs/
Common Commands
| Command | Purpose |
|---|---|
ls -la | List files with details |
cat openclaw.json | View agent config |
ps aux | See running processes |
df -h | Check disk usage |
du -sh * | Directory sizes |
top | Live process monitor |
OpenClaw CLI
Your agent’s console includes the full OpenClaw command-line tool. These commands interact directly with the agent runtime:
| Command | Purpose |
|---|---|
openclaw status | Show agent health and active channels |
openclaw doctor | Diagnose config issues |
openclaw channels list | List connected messaging channels |
openclaw config get <path> | Read a config value |
openclaw sessions | List active sessions |
For the complete command reference, see OpenClaw Commands.
Tips
The console session stays open as long as the browser tab is active. If the connection drops, reopen the console tab to start a new session. Your agent’s state is not affected by console disconnects.
Related Docs
- Common Tasks — frequently used commands for managing your agent
- Managing Keys — verify API key configuration via the console
- Agent Settings — edit agent config files directly