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Created February 15, 2026 11:26
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openclaw with ollama (Zero cost AI Assistant)
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openclaw_with_ollama.md

OpenClaw configuration with Ollama

Install OpenClaw

curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash

Install Ollama

curl -fsSL https://ollama.com/install.sh | sh

Run a powerful model locally

ollama run gpt-oss:20b

Uninstall OpenClaw (if exists)

openclaw uninstall

Prepare OpenClaw config for Ollama

{
  "models": {
    "providers": {
      "ollama": {
        "baseUrl": "http://localhost:11434/v1",
        "apiKey": "ollama-local",
        "api": "openai-completions",
        "models": [
          {
            "id": "gpt-oss:20b",
            "name": "gpt-oss:20b",
            "reasoning": false,
            "input": [
              "text"
            ],
            "cost": {
              "input": 0,
              "output": 0,
              "cacheRead": 0,
              "cacheWrite": 0
            },
            "contextWindow": 131072,
            "maxTokens": 8192
          }
        ]
      }
    }
  },
  "agents": {
    "defaults": {
      "model": {
        "primary": "ollama/gpt-oss:20b"
      },
      "workspace": "/Users/abhi/.openclaw/workspace",
      "maxConcurrent": 4,
      "subagents": {
        "maxConcurrent": 8
      }
    }
  },
  "tools": {
    "web": {
      "search": {
        "enabled": false
      },
      "fetch": {
        "enabled": true
      }
    }
  }
}

Start OpenClaw

openclaw onboard

Configure it with Telegram (optional)

Steps explained in the video.

@tgifriday
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tgifriday commented Feb 17, 2026

Steps explained in the video. Where is the video?

@jamesagooding
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jamesagooding commented Feb 17, 2026

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0eo2aiHuxY

@XxCotHGxX
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XxCotHGxX commented Feb 18, 2026

Didn't the creator of OpenClaw warn against using local models with it on the Lex Friedman podcast? I agree, they are not smart enough to evade all attacks like the frontier models.

@alexdt100
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alexdt100 commented Feb 18, 2026

@XxCotHGxX , what do you mean evade all attacks? Im going to watch that podcast still, but if its only the local installer with prompt access...whats the concern?

@XxCotHGxX
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XxCotHGxX commented Feb 18, 2026

Prompt injections, for one. Frontier models are hardened against this in training, whilst local models tend to rely more on system prompts,which is less secure.

@netandreus
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netandreus commented Feb 19, 2026

Is the quality of local models (like gpt-oss:20b) enough for everyday agent use? I think they are very poor and stupid.

@NinoSkopac
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NinoSkopac commented Feb 19, 2026

Hard coding models disables auto discovery.

https://chatgpt.com/share/69968599-8438-800c-81a6-be7a29fd0240

@harsha-1805
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harsha-1805 commented Feb 19, 2026 •
edited
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i dont think local model like gpt-oss:20b para will work for all the needs like we wont get that experience like all those when we use claude,gpt models but somehow secutity wise its ok but performence wise we need to search alternative on local machines can run.

@lenzsi
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lenzsi commented Feb 20, 2026

Is the quality of local models (like gpt-oss:20b) enough for everyday agent use? I think they are very poor and stupid.

hi, no it sucks.
My Agents always forgets stuff, answers me in different languages and mentions the memory.md all the time

@awiseguy88
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awiseguy88 commented Feb 20, 2026

Not hard to add prompt injection defense to local model https://github.com/awiseguy88/openclaw-advanced-prompt-injection-defense-system.git

@arghyadev
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arghyadev commented Mar 3, 2026

I'm trying to set this up in my Ubuntu OS, but I'm getting the following error after skipping the goal
Error: systemctl is-enabled unavailable: Command failed: systemctl --user is-enabled openclaw-gateway.service

Can anyone help me set this up?

@awiseguy88
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awiseguy88 commented Mar 3, 2026 via email

@Jenifer232000
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Jenifer232000 commented Mar 13, 2026

The explanation and structure are really helpful for anyone learning these concepts step by step. I also like documenting and revisiting useful resources like this. Sometimes when creating tutorials or blog posts, I even include visuals styled like a vintage photobooth to make the content more engaging and memorable.

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