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Guide · Agent skill

How to use the NanoClaw Initial Setup agent skill

Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data

The NanoClaw Initial Setup skill (skill name: setup) teaches an AI agent to handle requests to install or configure NanoClaw. Instead of walking you through every step in chat, the agent points you to the included nanoclaw.sh script, which you run in your own terminal. This guide covers what the skill does, how to install it, how to trigger it, and what to check before running the script.

NanoClaw Initial Setupnanocoai/nanoclaw · MIT

Quick start

  1. 1Download the skill ZIP. Download the ZIP file for the setup skill from this page.
  2. 2Unzip into a skills folder. Unzip it into ~/.claude/skills/ for personal use or .claude/skills/ inside a project.
  3. 3Or upload in the Claude apps. Go to Settings → Capabilities → Skills and upload the ZIP there.
  4. 4Ask for setup in plain language. Say something like "install NanoClaw" or "set up NanoClaw for me" so the agent triggers the skill.
  5. 5Run nanoclaw.sh in your terminal. Open the NanoClaw repository and run bash nanoclaw.sh, as the agent instructs.
  6. 6Recover if something fails. If an error occurs, accept the script's Claude-assisted recovery offer; the script resumes where it stopped.

What is an agent skill and what does this one do?

An agent skill is a folder containing a SKILL.md file that tells an AI agent when and how to handle a certain kind of request. This skill is named setup and its description says it runs initial NanoClaw setup for people who want to install NanoClaw, configure it, or go through first-time setup.

When you ask for one of these things, the agent does not carry out each step itself. It tells you to run bash nanoclaw.sh in your terminal. That script handles the full end-to-end setup: dependencies, a container image, a OneCLI vault, your Anthropic credential, a background service, a first agent, and optional chat-channel wiring.

Install the NanoClaw setup skill

You can install the skill in either of two ways. Download the ZIP file from this page and unzip it into one of these locations:

Option one is your personal skills folder at ~/.claude/skills/. Option two is a project-specific folder at .claude/skills/ inside your project.

Option three is to upload the ZIP in the Claude apps. Go to Settings → Capabilities → Skills and upload it there.

  • Personal: ~/.claude/skills/
  • Project: .claude/skills/ inside your project folder
  • Claude apps: Settings → Capabilities → Skills, then upload the ZIP

Make sure you have what the skill needs

The skill depends on several things. You need a bash shell and a NanoClaw repository that contains nanoclaw.sh. You also need an Anthropic API credential. The script installs the container runtime and the OneCLI vault for you.

The skill's files consist of SKILL.md only. It runs scripts and uses the network, so it is not a passive instruction file.

  • Bash shell
  • NanoClaw repository containing nanoclaw.sh
  • Anthropic API credential
  • Container runtime and OneCLI vault (installed by the script)

Trigger the skill with natural requests

The skill is triggered by requests about setup or installation. The description lists the trigger words "setup", "install", and "configure nanoclaw", along with first-time setup requests. You do not need special syntax.

Plain requests such as the following should work, because they match the skill's stated triggers.

  • "Set up NanoClaw for me."
  • "Install NanoClaw."
  • "Configure nanoclaw."
  • "I'm doing first-time setup of NanoClaw, where do I start?"

Run the setup script and recover from errors

When the agent sends you to the installer, open a terminal in the NanoClaw repository and run the command below. The script covers dependencies, container image, OneCLI vault, Anthropic credential, service, first agent, and optional channel wiring.

If something fails partway through, the script offers Claude-assisted recovery inline and resumes from the point where it stopped, so you do not have to start over.

bash nanoclaw.sh

Safety notes before you run the script

This skill is not for people who are uneasy running a shell script without reading it first. The setup changes system software and stores credentials on your machine, and the skill declares that it runs scripts and uses the network.

Open nanoclaw.sh and read it before you run it. Confirm that you trust the NanoClaw repository you are working in.

  • Read nanoclaw.sh before running it.
  • Expect system software to be changed, since the script installs dependencies and a container runtime.
  • Expect credentials to be stored, including your Anthropic credential in the OneCLI vault.
  • Expect network use during setup.

What people use it for

  • Installing NanoClaw for the first time on a machine that has a bash shell.
  • Getting a guided, script-driven setup instead of configuring each piece by hand.
  • Setting up the first agent and the background service as part of one run.
  • Adding optional chat-channel wiring during initial setup.

Frequently asked questions

What does the NanoClaw setup skill do?

It teaches an AI agent to handle requests to install or configure NanoClaw. The agent tells you to run bash nanoclaw.sh in your terminal, and that script handles dependencies, the container image, the OneCLI vault, your Anthropic credential, a service, a first agent, and optional channel wiring.

How do I install the NanoClaw setup skill?

Download the ZIP from this page and unzip it into ~/.claude/skills/ or a project's .claude/skills/ folder. Alternatively, upload the ZIP in the Claude apps under Settings → Capabilities → Skills.

What do I need before running NanoClaw setup?

You need a bash shell, a NanoClaw repository containing nanoclaw.sh, and an Anthropic API credential. The container runtime and OneCLI vault are installed by the script.

Is the NanoClaw setup skill free?

The skill is published under the MIT licence. The source does not state any pricing, so check the repository for licence details.

Is it safe to run nanoclaw.sh?

The script changes system software and stores credentials, and the skill runs scripts and uses the network. Read nanoclaw.sh before running it and make sure you trust the repository.

What happens if the NanoClaw setup fails partway through?

The script offers Claude-assisted recovery inline and resumes from where it stopped. You do not need to restart the whole setup.

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Our verdict

Use this skill if you are installing NanoClaw for the first time and want a guided, script-driven setup. Skip it if you do not plan to install NanoClaw, or if you are not comfortable running a shell script that changes system software and stores credentials, unless you read the script first.

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