OpenClaw is an impressive open-source software that transforms AI into an self reliant agent. Not like elementary chatbots which might be confined to a browser tab or an app, OpenClaw lets in AI to execute duties at once in your system, equivalent to managing information, operating terminal instructions, studying calendars, or even sending messages to WhatsApp, Telegram, and Discord.
Whilst OpenClaw provides seamless, out-of-the-box toughen for trade giants like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google Gemini, sadly, it lately lacks local integration for DeepSeek.
This is a vital hurdle as a result of DeepSeek supplies a type, DeepSeek v3, that competitors GPT-5, however at a staggering 95% cheaper price.
On this information, we’ll stroll you during the steps, making use of a couple of guide configurations, so we will be able to have the most efficient of either side: OpenClaw’s automation functions with DeepSeek’s cost-efficient intelligence.
Let’s get began.
Must haves
Ahead of we transfer additional, just remember to have the next in a position.
- Node.js (v22 or upper) and NPM
- DeepSeek API key
Upon getting them in a position, you’ll continue to put in and arrange OpenClaw.
Step 1: Putting in OpenClaw
First, stir up your terminal after which hit the next command to put in OpenClaw:
npm set up -g openclaw
Observe: This set up step may take a little time relying in your web connection pace.
Step 2: Run Onboarding
Subsequent, we want to run the onboarding procedure.
openclaw onboard --install-daemon
This may set up the OpenClaw daemon and information you thru settling on fashions, suppliers, and verbal exchange channels.

On this instance, we’re going to center of attention on integrating DeepSeek. When triggered, use the left and proper arrow keys to toggle between choices, and hit Go back to choose the required possibility. Right here’s how you’ll resolution the next questions:
- I perceive that is tough and inherently dangerous. Proceed? Sure
- Onboarding mode. Quickstart
- Fashion/auth supplier. Skip for now
- Filter out fashions by means of supplier. Minimax (Just because it has 2 fashions, which makes it more uncomplicated to choose and cleanup later)
- Default type. minimax/MiniMax-M2
- Make a choice channel. Skip for now
- Configure talents now? No (We will at all times reconfigure it later)
- Permit hooks? Skip for now (hit Area to choose)
- How do you wish to have to hatch your bot? Do that later (At the moment, it gained’t paintings since we haven’t configured DeepSeek but)
While you see Onboarding entire. Use the dashboard hyperlink above to keep watch over OpenClaw.
, you’ll hit Ctrl + C to go out the onboarding procedure, and continue to our subsequent step.
Step 3: Configure DeepSeek Fashions
We’ll want to regulate the configuration document which is situated within the ~/.openclaw/openclaw.json document. We’ll start with defining DeepSeek fashions by means of modifying the fashions phase within the configuration document.
Now, let’s upload the DeepSeek fashions configuration to the configuration document:
{
"fashions": {
"mode": "merge",
"suppliers": {
"deepseek": {
"baseUrl": "https://api.deepseek.com/v1",
"apiKey": "${DEEPSEEK_API_KEY}",
"api": "openai-completions",
"fashions": [
{
"id": "deepseek-chat",
"name": "DeepSeek Chat (v3.2)",
"reasoning": false,
"input": [
"text"
],
"charge": {
"enter": 2.8e-7,
"output": 4.2e-7,
"cacheRead": 2.8e-8,
"cacheWrite": 2.8e-7
},
"contextWindow": 128000,
"maxTokens": 8192
},
{
"identification": "deepseek-reasoner",
"title": "DeepSeek Reasoner (v3.2)",
"reasoning": true,
"enter": [
"text"
],
"charge": {
"enter": 2.8e-7,
"output": 4.2e-7,
"cacheRead": 2.8e-8,
"cacheWrite": 2.8e-7
},
"contextWindow": 128000,
"maxTokens": 65536
}
]
}
}
}
}
Realize that the apiKey is the use of an atmosphere variable ${DEEPSEEK_API_KEY}. That is to make sure that the API key isn’t uncovered within the configuration document. Later we’ll want to set this surroundings variable earlier than operating OpenClaw.
Step 4: Configure Brokers
Subsequent, we want to configure the brokers phase, which units the checklist of fashions and the default type for use by means of the agent.
On this case, we’ll regulate the brokers phase to make use of DeepSeek fashions that we’ve simply outlined within the earlier step, as follows:
{
"brokers": {
"defaults": {
"type": {
"number one": "deepseek/deepseek-chat"
},
"fashions": {
"deepseek/deepseek-chat": {},
"deepseek/deepseek-reasoner": {}
},
"workspace": "~/.openclaw/workspace",
"compaction": {
"mode": "safeguard"
},
"maxConcurrent": 4,
"subagents": {
"maxConcurrent": 8
}
}
}
}
Step 5: Set Surroundings Variable
Now, we want to set the surroundings variable DEEPSEEK_API_KEY to the worth of our DeepSeek API key.
Linux and macOS
On Linux and macOS, you’ll run the next command for your terminal:
export DEEPSEEK_API_KEY="your_api_key_here"
To persist the API key throughout classes, you’ll additionally upload the above line for your ~/.bashrc, ~/.zshrc, or /and so on/surroundings document.
Don’t omit to switch your_api_key_here along with your exact DeepSeek API key. And should you’ve simply added it in probably the most information, you’ll want to restart your terminal for the adjustments to take impact.
Home windows
On Home windows, you’ll set the surroundings variable for the present consultation in Command Steered:
set DEEPSEEK_API_KEY=your_api_key_here
Or, setx, for instance:
setx DEEPSEEK_API_KEY "your_api_key_here"
Step 6: Be sure that DeepSeek Fashions are at the Record
Now that we’ve configured the fashions and set the surroundings variable, we will be able to check that the DeepSeek fashions are to be had to OpenClaw by means of operating the next command:
openclaw fashions checklist
You must see the next output:

Step 7: Hatch Your First Agent
The whole lot is now configured. We will now hatch our first agent.
On this case, I’m going with TUI because the interface. So we run:
openclaw tui
This may get started the TUI interface the place you’ll chat with the agent. And we will be able to see the type that’s lately getting used is deepseek/deepseek-chat.

Observe: You probably have a in the past energetic consultation or have in the past put in OpenClaw, you want to restart the gateway earlier than operating a brand new TUI consultation. Run the next command:
openclaw gateway restart
Be sure to do that earlier than operating a brand new TUI consultation.
Conclusion
And there you might have it! You’ve effectively bridged OpenClaw with DeepSeek.
Now it’s time to place your new agent to paintings. Whether or not it’s managing advanced workflows, dealing with information, or automating duties and messaging.
You’re all set to do extra for much less.
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