openclaw with ollama (Zero cost AI Assistant)

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.

Build your Personal AI Assistant with complete Free of cost and highest security using OpenClaw, Ollama and Telegram

how to stop and clean the things after performing demo and not required?

Steps explained in the video. Where is the video?

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

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.

@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?

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.

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

Hard coding models disables auto discovery.

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

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.

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

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

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?

discord.gg/awiseai Drop into the discord and go to openclaw support and @WiseAI ask it.

…

On Tue, Mar 3, 2026, 11:09 AM Arghya Saha ***@***.***> wrote: ***@***.**** commented on this gist. ------------------------------ 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? — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <https://gist.github.com/iam-veeramalla/9d10f968038ee76d5bc374b44f0cf8bb#gistcomment-6011498> or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AENDBVON5NVS7LUYLWSOBCD4O37UVBFHORZGSZ3HMVZKMY3SMVQXIZNMON2WE2TFMN2F65DZOBS2WR3JON2EG33NNVSW45FGORXXA2LDOOIYFJDUPFYGLJDHNFZXJJLWMFWHKZNJGE2DKNJQGAYDQOFKMF2HI4TJMJ2XIZLTSOBKK5TBNR2WLKBVGA2TIOBVGEZ2I3TBNVS2QYLDORXXEX3JMSBKK5TBNR2WLJDUOJ2WLJDOMFWWLO3UNBZGKYLEL5YGC4TUNFRWS4DBNZ2F6YLDORUXM2LUPGBKK5TBNR2WLJDHNFZXJJDOMFWWLK3UNBZGKYLEL52HS4DF> . You are receiving this email because you commented on the thread. Triage notifications on the go with GitHub Mobile for iOS <https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id1477376905?ct=notification-email&mt=8&pt=524675> or Android <https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.github.android&referrer=utm_campaign%3Dnotification-email%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_source%3Dgithub> .

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.

Ok