Practical overview
When it fits
Use it when an OpenClaw installation needs a self-hosted operational view of agent activity, usage and host status, especially when session inspection and cost review belong in the same workflow.
Who it is for
- OpenClaw operators who want a browser-based view of agent sessions and live activity.
- Users who need to review model usage, rate limits and cost breakdowns.
- Administrators who want to inspect workspace files, logs, system metrics or cron jobs from the dashboard.
Documented uses
- Review agent sessions and filter them by status, model or date range.
- Track Claude and Gemini usage against rolling rate-limit windows and examine costs by model, session or time period.
- Read agent memory files and view or edit workspace files, skills and configuration.
- Check host health metrics, logs and activity, and access documented service and cron controls.
Requirements & limits
The README documents a local server and a first-visit registration screen requiring a username and password. It lists optional TOTP multi-factor authentication. Node.js v18 or later and an installed, running OpenClaw instance are prerequisites.
- The dashboard is an application that must be run alongside an OpenClaw installation; it is not a hosted agent service.
- The documented basic start uses Node.js and has no build step; Systemd and Docker are also documented installation routes.
- Some capabilities have extra prerequisites: Docker management uses jq and Docker, while the Claude CLI usage scraper uses tmux and python3.
- The dashboard includes controls for editing workspace files, configuration, services and cron jobs, so it is intended for operators who manage the underlying environment.
Check current requirements in the official documentation. Source-based guidance does not mean OpenViST has run or independently tested this project.
Start the dashboard with Node.js
Run the dashboard locally and open its registration screen.
Before you start
- Node.js v18 or later
- OpenClaw installed and running
- A browser
Steps
Clone the repository and change into its directory.
Optionally set WORKSPACE_DIR to the OpenClaw workspace path.
Start the server with node server.js.
Open http://localhost:7000 and create a username and password at the registration screen.
Expected outcome
The dashboard server runs locally and its browser interface is available for account registration.
Guide limitations
- This guide covers the documented manual start, not service installation or Docker deployment.
- The README says to save the recovery token printed by the server for password recovery.
Sources & review
Source record details
- Source availability
- Active
- Sources checked
- 16 October 2026
- Original website title
- tugcantopaloglu/openclaw-dashboard · Official homepage title · retained in its source language

