March 10, 2026

How to Install QClaw: Mac & Windows Guide (Tencent's OpenClaw Launcher)

Install QClaw with the latest status (updated March 10, 2026): macOS downloads are live, Windows is still marked as coming soon.

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QClaw is the easiest way to get OpenClaw running on Mac or Windows. Where the raw OpenClaw installer requires a terminal and manual config editing, QClaw handles everything through a native desktop interface — including WeChat binding, which typically takes under 30 seconds.

This guide reflects the latest public status on March 10, 2026: macOS downloads are live, while the Windows installer is still marked as “coming soon” on the official page.

Prerequisites

Confirm the following before you start:

  • macOS 12 (Monterey) or later, or Windows 10/11 64-bit (32-bit not supported)
  • WeChat on your phone — required for the WeChat binding step. QQ works as an alternative.
  • Internet connection — QClaw downloads the OpenClaw runtime during first launch (~500 MB total)
  • No existing software dependencies needed — QClaw bundles its own runtime

You do not need an API key to start. QClaw uses Kimi-2.5 at no cost during the beta period. You can add a custom API key later if you prefer a different model.

Step 1: Download QClaw (Current Availability)

Navigate to the official QClaw page:

https://claw.guanjia.qq.com

As of March 10, 2026, the page shows:

  • macOS (Apple Silicon) — for M1, M2, M3, M4 Macs
  • macOS (Intel) — for older Intel-based Macs
  • Windows 64-bit — listed as coming soon

Download the correct version for your machine. The installer file is approximately 180 MB.

Direct macOS links currently visible on the official page:

  • Apple Silicon: https://dldir1v6.qq.com/invc/xfspeed/qqpcmgr/channel/qqpcmgr_mac/QClaw-latest-arm64.dmg
  • Intel: https://dldir1v6.qq.com/invc/xfspeed/qqpcmgr/channel/qqpcmgr_mac/QClaw-latest-x64.dmg

Security note: Only download QClaw from claw.guanjia.qq.com or guanjia.qq.com. If you encounter a QClaw download on any other domain, do not install it.

Step 2: Install and First Launch

On macOS:

  1. Open the downloaded .dmg file
  2. Drag QClaw to your Applications folder
  3. Open QClaw from Applications. If macOS shows a “developer cannot be verified” warning, go to System Settings → Privacy & Security and click “Open Anyway”
  4. QClaw will open to a welcome screen

On Windows:

Windows installer is not publicly available yet. Once Tencent publishes the .exe, follow the standard installation wizard and launch from Start menu or desktop shortcut.

First launch initialization:

On first launch, QClaw downloads and installs the OpenClaw runtime in the background. You’ll see a progress bar. This takes 30–60 seconds on a typical broadband connection and only happens once.

After initialization, you’ll land on the QClaw setup wizard.

Step 3: Bind WeChat

This is the step that makes QClaw different from raw OpenClaw. WeChat binding connects your phone to the local agent running on your computer.

  1. The setup wizard will display a QR code — the same style of QR code you see when logging into WeChat Web
  2. Open WeChat on your phone
  3. Tap the + icon (top right) → Scan QR Code
  4. Point your phone camera at the QClaw QR code on your screen
  5. Tap Confirm Login on your phone when prompted

That’s it. Your WeChat account is now connected to your local OpenClaw agent.

What happens after binding: QClaw uses the WeChat protocol to receive messages sent to yourself (via “Filehelper” / 文件传输助手) or to a dedicated agent contact. When you send a message from WeChat, it routes to your local agent, which processes it and replies in the same thread.

WeChat connection is session-based. If you log out of WeChat on your phone, or the session expires, you’ll need to re-scan the QR code. QClaw will notify you when re-binding is needed.

Step 4: Choose Your AI Model

After WeChat binding, QClaw will prompt you to select an AI model.

ModelProviderCost During BetaNotes
Kimi-2.5Moonshot AIFreeDefault selection, no API key needed
DeepSeek-V3DeepSeekRequires own keyStrong reasoning, code-capable
GLM-4Zhipu AIRequires own keyGood for Chinese-language tasks
MinimaxMinimaxRequires own keyFast responses, good for real-time
Custom endpointAnyVariesOpenAI-compatible API

Recommended for first-time users: Leave the default as Kimi-2.5. It requires no API key, costs nothing during beta, and performs well for everyday tasks.

To switch models later, go to QClaw Settings → AI Model.

If you bring your own API key, enter it in the model settings panel. Your key is stored locally in ~/.openclaw/config.yaml and is never sent to Tencent’s servers.

Step 5: Send Your First Message

QClaw is now running. To verify everything works:

  1. Open WeChat on your phone
  2. Go to Filehelper (文件传输助手) — it appears in your chat list
  3. Send the message: Hello, what can you do?

Your agent should respond within 5–10 seconds with a description of its current capabilities. A slow first response is normal — the model is loading for the first time.

Didn’t get a response? Check the QClaw status indicator in your menu bar (Mac) or system tray (Windows). A green indicator means the agent is running. If it’s red or gray, click it to see the error and restart if needed.

Step 6: Install Your First Skill

A default QClaw installation includes a minimal skill set (basic Q&A and a simple web lookup). To unlock more capabilities, install skills from the QClaw Skills Store.

Via the QClaw Skills Store (GUI):

  1. Click the Skills icon in the QClaw sidebar
  2. Browse or search for a skill — recommended starting points: web-search, calendar, file-organizer
  3. Click Install on any skill
  4. Send your agent a message that uses the new skill to verify it’s working

Via the ClawHub CLI (advanced):

QClaw is fully compatible with the clawhub command-line tool, which gives access to the full 5,400+ skill registry beyond what the curated Store shows:

clawhub install gmail
clawhub install github
clawhub install obsidian

Skills installed via either method appear in your QClaw Skills panel.

Troubleshooting

QR code expires before I can scan it

The WeChat QR code expires after 2 minutes. Click Refresh QR Code in QClaw to generate a new one.

WeChat session disconnects frequently

This is a known limitation of the WeChat Web protocol. Keep your phone’s WeChat app running in the background and ensure WeChat isn’t being killed by iOS/Android battery optimization. On Android, add WeChat and QClaw to the battery whitelist.

Agent responds very slowly

Slow responses are usually caused by the AI model, not QClaw itself. Check:

  • Your internet connection speed
  • Whether the Kimi-2.5 API is experiencing high load (check Moonshot AI’s status page)
  • If using a custom model, verify your endpoint’s response time

”Runtime initialization failed” on first launch

This means QClaw couldn’t download the OpenClaw runtime. Check your internet connection and try launching again. If behind a corporate proxy, configure it in QClaw Settings → Network.

Windows Defender blocks the installer

QClaw is signed with Tencent’s code signing certificate. If Defender flags it, confirm the publisher is listed as “Tencent Technology (Shenzhen) Company Limited” in the certificate details before proceeding.

Next Steps

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