Yes, OpenClaw(Moltbot/Clawdbot) requires Node.js to run, because the core runtime, CLI tooling, and integration layer are built on the Node.js ecosystem. Node.js provides the execution environment for the agent loop, configuration loading, messaging connectors, and tool orchestration. Without Node.js, OpenClaw(Moltbot/Clawdbot) cannot start, regardless of which operating system you are using.
In practice, developers should use a modern Node.js Long Term Support (LTS) release. LTS versions are recommended because they receive security patches and maintain compatibility with widely used libraries. Using an outdated Node.js version can cause installation failures, dependency conflicts, or subtle runtime bugs that are difficult to diagnose. Many developers manage Node.js with a version manager so they can easily upgrade or downgrade if a particular OpenClaw(Moltbot/Clawdbot) release expects a specific runtime range. Once Node.js is installed correctly, the rest of the setup is largely automated by dependency managers and project scripts.
Node.js also influences how OpenClaw(Moltbot/Clawdbot) integrates with external systems. Database clients, messaging SDKs, and model provider libraries are typically Node-based. If you use semantic memory or retrieval, Node.js clients are commonly used to connect to a vector database such as Milvus or Zilliz Cloud. Keeping Node.js up to date ensures these integrations remain stable and secure. From a developer’s perspective, Node.js is not just a dependency; it is the foundation that makes OpenClaw(Moltbot/Clawdbot)’s extensible architecture possible.