Uninstall OpenClaw

Uninstalling has separate targets: the managed service, local state, agent workspace, desktop app, and global CLI. Decide which data must survive before removing anything.

Back up what matters

Your main state and configuration normally live under ~/.openclaw. Agent workspaces can contain memory, instructions, and user-created files. Copy the required data to a location outside the uninstall targets and verify that the copy opens.

openclaw backup create

Preview a complete uninstall

openclaw uninstall --all --dry-run

Read every resolved path. A dry run is especially important if you changed the state directory, use a custom workspace, or operate more than one installation.

Remove selected parts

The uninstall command supports separate service, state, workspace, and app choices. Use the interactive command when you want to retain some parts:

openclaw uninstall

For a complete removal after reviewing the preview:

openclaw uninstall --all

The OpenClaw CLI removes managed OpenClaw resources. Remove the global CLI itself with the package manager that installed it:

pnpm remove -g openclaw

Use npm uninstall -g openclaw or the equivalent Bun command if that manager owns the global install.

Verify the result

openclaw gateway status
command -v openclaw

Expected result

The managed Gateway is no longer loaded, and command -v openclaw returns no path after the global package is removed. Any data you intentionally retained remains in the reviewed backup or retained path.

Reinstall later

Reinstalling the CLI does not recreate deleted state or workspace content. Keep the backup until a fresh installation starts successfully and you have confirmed which files should be restored.