How to Use OpenClaw — and How to Make Money With It

OpenClaw turns chat into action. You send a request, OpenClaw connects it to the AI model you choose (cloud APIs or local models), and—when you allow it—executes tasks like researching, writing files, running terminal commands, or operating workflows you define.

If you’re tired of “AI that only talks,” OpenClaw is built for people who want an assistant that actually does things: set it up once, connect it to the tools you already use, then reuse proven skills every day.

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What you can do with OpenClaw

Ops Agent

Run a personal “ops agent” that drafts emails, summarizes documents, prepares briefs, and keeps projects moving.

Control Anywhere

Connect channels like a browser dashboard or messaging apps, so you can control work from wherever you are.

Flexible Models

Choose your model strategy: pay-per-use via API keys, or run locally for privacy and cost control.

Start Using OpenClaw in 3 Steps

1) Install & launch the dashboard

OpenClaw provides a Control UI (browser dashboard) and a TUI (terminal interface), and the fastest way to begin is usually the browser dashboard so you can see what’s happening end-to-end.

Most users start by installing the CLI and following the onboarding flow, then opening the dashboard URL on the gateway host to chat and manage settings.

OpenClaw Dashboard

2) Pick the right model for your workflow

OpenClaw is model-agnostic: you can plug in an LLM via API key, or run a local model if you prefer privacy and predictable costs.

If you’re optimizing for reliability and quality, cloud models are often the easiest path; if you’re optimizing for budget and control, local models can be compelling once you’re comfortable with setup.

3) Add skills to turn requests into repeatable outcomes

The biggest unlock is moving from “one-off prompts” to repeatable skills: structured workflows you can run again for yourself, your team, or your clients.

When you treat your best workflows like products—named, documented, and versioned—you stop reinventing the wheel and start compounding results.

How to Use OpenClaw (Practical Playbook)

OpenClaw works best when you give it outcomes, constraints, and access boundaries. For example: “Draft a client-ready proposal using my template, keep it under 900 words, and save it as a Markdown file.”

In the dashboard, you can review usage, manage channels, add skills, and control the agent’s operational surface area—so you keep automation powerful but safe.

High-Leverage Use Cases:

  • Daily briefing & research: summarize topics, gather links, and produce a one-page brief you can send to a team channel.
  • Content production pipeline: go from outline → draft → SEO polish → publishing checklist, with consistent structure across articles.
  • Ops automation: generate invoices, update spreadsheets, or prepare status reports—tasks that aren’t hard, just repetitive.
  • Dev support: create scripts, run commands, and iterate faster when you need glue code or quick experiments.

If you’re new, don’t try to automate everything. Start with one workflow you repeat weekly, make it reliable, then expand.

How to Make Money With OpenClaw

OpenClaw is a business tool because it turns knowledge work into deliverables. Once you can reliably produce outcomes (reports, drafts, automations, dashboards), you can sell those outcomes—either as a service or as productized packages.

And because OpenClaw can run on your own infrastructure, you can build a system you control: predictable processes, consistent quality, and a clear audit trail of how work gets done.

4 Proven Monetization Paths

(Fastest to revenue)

Offer fixed-scope packages like: “Weekly competitor research brief,” “Lead list enrichment + outreach draft,” or “Customer support macro library.” You deliver a consistent output, every time, powered by your OpenClaw skills.

Because the scope is fixed, it’s easier to price, fulfill, and scale than open-ended consulting.

(Retainer Model)

If you run an agency (or work inside one), OpenClaw can become your internal automation layer: drafting, reporting, QA checklists, and workflow orchestration.

You can convert saved time into higher margins, faster turnaround, or new service lines without hiring immediately.

(Repeatable IP)

Over time, your best workflows become a library: a curated set of skills for specific niches (real estate operations, ecommerce analytics, creator workflows, B2B sales ops).

That library is defensible because it’s tuned to outcomes and domain constraints, not generic prompts.

Clients care about reliability and cost. OpenClaw can use local models where appropriate, and cloud models when quality is critical—so you can design a tiered offering.

Even for personal use, realistic monthly costs vary widely depending on model choice and usage; planning this upfront helps you protect margins.

Your Next Two Clicks

CTA #1: Get Started

Install OpenClaw, open the dashboard, and run your first workflow end-to-end—then save it as your first reusable skill.

Use OpenClaw Today

CTA #2: Build a Money-Making Skill

Pick one client problem you can solve repeatedly. Turn it into a fixed deliverable, document it, and ship it weekly.

Start Building This Week