How do I completely uninstall OpenClaw?

The fastest way is using the built-in CLI command: `openclaw uninstall --all --yes`. This stops the gateway, removes the background service, and deletes all configuration and workspace files.

Does uninstalling OpenClaw delete my memory files?

Yes, if you use the --all flag or manually delete the `~/.openclaw` directory, your agent's memory and workspace files are permanently removed. This includes your SOUL.md, MEMORY.md, and all project context.

Can I remove the Gateway service without deleting my data?

Yes. Use the command `openclaw uninstall --service`. This will remove the background launcher/daemon but leave your configuration, memory, and workspace files untouched for future use.

How do I migrate to OpenClaw Setup without losing context?

Instead of a full uninstall, take a backup of your `~/.openclaw` folder. You can then import your current instance into managed OpenClaw hosting and resume your agent's memory and workflows in a safer environment.

Usage Tips

How to remove, reset, or fully uninstall OpenClaw on Mac, Linux, and Windows

Use this guide when you want to remove OpenClaw completely, reset a broken local install, delete sessions, or migrate away from local hosting without leaving credentials and workspace files behind. Fully removing OpenClaw requires more than deleting an application folder: you need to account for the gateway service, configuration files, session history, provider credentials, and workspace data.

The "Safe Exit" Principle

Before you wipe your installation, decide whether you need your agent's memory. Local uninstalls are destructive by default. If you simply want to stop the bot without giving it amnesia, scroll to the Managed Advantage section below.

Reset vs uninstall: choose the right cleanup path

If OpenClaw is misbehaving but you still trust the machine, start with a reset: stop the gateway, clear sessions, and remove the configuration that is causing the failure. If you are selling the device, rotating credentials, or moving operations to managed OpenClaw hosting, use the full uninstall path and verify no secrets remain.

Goal	Keep	Remove
Reset a broken install	Workspace files and useful memory exports	Corrupt sessions, stale gateway state, bad channel config
Delete local secrets	A separate backup with secrets removed	Provider keys, Telegram/Slack tokens, browser profiles, credential files
Fully uninstall OpenClaw	Nothing unless you made an offline export first	Services, config, sessions, memory, workspace, local command shims

Where does OpenClaw store data?

By default, OpenClaw is "self-contained" within your user profile. If you are cleaning up manually, look for these three main components:

🧠 State & Memory (~/.openclaw)

This is the "soul" of your agent. It contains:

lcm.db: Long-term conversation memory.
sessions/: Raw message history and tool logs.
openclaw.json: Your API keys, configs, and provider tokens.
credentials/: Specific auth tokens for Google, Slack, etc.

📂 Workspace (~/.openclaw/workspace)

This is where your agent lives and works. It includes:

SOUL.md, USER.md, MEMORY.md: The vital context files.
User files and code projects your agent has generated.
memory/: Daily worklogs and session snapshots.

⚙️ System Services

Background persistence files:

ai.openclaw.gateway.plist (Mac)
openclaw-gateway.service (Linux)
"OpenClaw Gateway" Scheduled Task (Windows)

Understanding uninstall modes

Depending on why you are removing OpenClaw, you might want to keep certain parts. Here are the common "modes" of removal:

Target	Mode	Action
Gateway Only	"Soft stop"	Stops background execution but keeps all your configuration and memory intact for a future re-install.
Config + Memory	"Clear Data"	Resets OpenClaw to factory defaults. Your API keys and memories are gone, but your `workspace` files remain.
Full Wipe	"Factory Reset"	Removes everything: services, config, memory, and your workspace projects. Irreversible.

1. The "Easy Path" (CLI Still Installed)

If the openclaw command is still functional in your terminal, the built-in uninstaller is the safest method. It supports granular flags depending on what you want to keep:

The "Nuclear" Option (Deletes Everything)

openclaw uninstall --all --yes

Removes background services, config files, and the entire workspace.

The "Migration" Option (Keeps Workspace)

openclaw uninstall --service --config

Stops background services and removes API keys/memory, but leaves your MEMORY.md and project files untouched in the workspace.

The "Service Only" Option

openclaw uninstall --service

Only removes the background launcher. Your data remains perfectly intact for manual CLI use.

2. Manual removal per OS

If the CLI is missing but you still see "OpenClaw" processes running, follow these platform-specific steps:

Mac cleanup checklist

1. Stop the background service:

launchctl bootout gui/$UID/ai.openclaw.gateway

2. Delete the service definition:

rm ~/Library/LaunchAgents/ai.openclaw.gateway.plist

3. Remove local state only after backing up anything you may import later:

rm -rf ~/.openclaw

4. Check shell startup files for old OpenClaw PATH additions or aliases.

Linux cleanup checklist

1. Stop and disable the user unit:

systemctl --user disable --now openclaw-gateway.service

2. Remove the file and reload:

rm ~/.config/systemd/user/openclaw-gateway.service
systemctl --user daemon-reload

3. Remove state, workspace, and cached credentials if you are fully uninstalling:

rm -rf ~/.openclaw ~/.cache/openclaw ~/.config/openclaw

4. Verify there are no lingering processes:

ps aux | grep -i openclaw

Windows cleanup checklist

1. Delete the task via PowerShell (Admin not required if user-installed):

schtasks /Delete /F /TN "OpenClaw Gateway"

2. Delete the gateway script:

Remove-Item -Force "$env:USERPROFILE\.openclaw\gateway.cmd"

3. Remove the local workspace and config folder if you are not keeping a backup:

Remove-Item -Recurse -Force "$env:USERPROFILE\.openclaw"

4. Open Task Scheduler and confirm there is no remaining OpenClaw task under your user account.

Delete sessions and credentials before you move

Sessions often contain tool output, file paths, or copied credentials. Before you reuse a workspace, inspect ~/.openclaw/sessions, remove old browser profiles, and rotate provider or bot tokens that were stored on the local machine. If your goal is to move without losing context, export memory and project files separately from secrets.

After uninstalling: safer managed hosting path

Managing local uninstalls is a chore because local agents accumulate services, credentials, sessions, and workspace files over time. On Lobsterland, lifecycle controls are first-class: you can pause a managed instance, delete it, or import your current instance without hunting for hidden .plist files, stray systemd units, or stale Windows tasks.

OpenClaw Setup Dashboard: Instance status and lifecycle controls

The managed dashboard provides simple toggle-based controls for pausing or deleting instances.

ActionResult

Pause Instance

Immediately stops all operations and costs. Keeps all data and memory intact. Ideal for users who want to take a break but resume later or move without losing context.

Delete Instance

Immediate, final removal of the entire environment. All memory, logs, and files are wiped securely from the host. Zero residual local overhead.

Stop babysitting your infrastructure. Start with the OpenClaw setup guide, then use managed OpenClaw hosting when local operations become too risky to maintain.