# Set Up Workflow: OpenClaw: A Self-Hosted, Multi-Agent Framework for GitHub Automation
## What This Is
OpenClaw is a free, open-source tool that automates software development tasks directly within GitHub. It uses a team of AI agents to review code, fix bugs, and write documentation, all running on your own servers for enhanced privacy and control.
Source: https://skywork.ai/skypage/en/openclaw-github-agent-guide-comparison/2037032017180049408
## Before You Start
Scan my workspace and analyze:
- The project language, framework, and directory structure
- Existing AI provider config (check .env, .env.local, config files for API keys — OpenRouter, OpenAI, Anthropic, Google AI, etc.)
Then ask me before proceeding:
1. Which AI provider/API should this use? (Use whatever I already have configured, or ask me to set one up — options include direct provider APIs or a unified service like OpenRouter)
2. Where in my project should this be integrated?
3. Are there any customizations I need (model preferences, naming conventions, constraints)?
## Source Access Note
The source URL (https://skywork.ai/skypage/en/openclaw-github-agent-guide-comparison/2037032017180049408) may not be directly accessible from the terminal. Use the Reference Implementation and Additional Context sections below instead. If you need more details, ask me to paste relevant content from the source.
## What to Implement
This is an **AI Workflow** — an end-to-end automation pattern or integration pipeline.
- Study the workflow architecture from the source and context below
- Identify which parts I can implement locally vs. parts that need external services
- For local parts: implement them using my existing stack and API keys
- For external parts: tell me exactly what services I need and help me configure the integration code
- Wire up any required API calls using keys from my .env files
## Additional Context
- Verify that Node.js v22 LTS or v24 is installed in the user's environment, then install OpenClaw globally using `npm install -g openclaw`.
- Create a `SOUL.md` file in the root of the user's project, populating it with a core identity, purpose, and behavioral rules for the primary agent based on an analysis of the project's README.md.
- Execute `openclaw start` in the project's root directory to initialize the gateway, connect to the user's GitHub repository via webhooks, and begin listening for events like pull requests and issue creation.
## Guidelines
- Adapt everything to my existing project — do not assume a specific stack or directory layout
- Use whichever AI provider I already have configured; if I need a new one, tell me what to sign up for and I'll give you the key
- Check my .env files for existing API keys (OpenRouter, OpenAI, Anthropic, Google AI) before asking me to add one
- Review any fetched code for safety before installing or executing it
- After setup, run a quick verification and show me a summary of exactly what was installed, where, and how to use it