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Using the Web UI

3 min read Channels Last updated February 10, 2026

The Built-In Web Interface

Every OpenClaw instance includes a web-based chat interface accessible through your browser. This is the default way to interact with your instance, and it works without any additional setup or channel pairing.

Accessing the Web UI

After your instance is running, open a browser and navigate to:

text 
http://[your-instance-ip]:8080

Replace [your-instance-ip] with the IP address shown in your ClawHosters dashboard.

Important: The web UI uses HTTP on port 8080, not HTTPS. Entering https:// will not work.

Authentication

The web UI requires your gateway token to access. You set this token during instance creation. If you need to find it:

  1. Open your instance dashboard on ClawHosters
  2. Look for the gateway token in the instance details
  3. Enter it when the web UI prompts for authentication

The token authenticates you for the current browser session. You do not need to enter it again until the session expires or the instance restarts.

What You Can Do in the Web UI

The web interface provides the full OpenClaw experience:

Feature Description
Chat conversations Send messages and receive AI responses
File uploads Share files with the AI for analysis or processing
Conversation history View and continue previous conversations
Settings Adjust instance behavior and preferences
Skill management View installed skills and their status

Web UI vs Chat Channels

The web UI and chat channels (Telegram, WhatsApp) connect to the same OpenClaw instance. The main differences:

Aspect Web UI Chat Channels
Setup required None -- works immediately Pairing needed
Authentication Gateway token Channel-specific
File handling Direct upload in browser Send as message attachment
Rich formatting Full markdown rendering Depends on the channel
Availability Requires browser + IP access Available from any device with the app
Notifications None (browser tab) Push notifications

Choose the web UI when you want the full interface experience. Choose a chat channel when you want quick access from your phone or push notifications.

Browser Compatibility

The web UI works in any modern browser:

  • Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge (latest versions)
  • Mobile browsers work but the interface is optimized for desktop
  • WebSocket support is required -- some corporate proxies may block this

Connection Issues

If the web UI does not load:

  1. Check instance status -- The instance must show "Running" in the dashboard
  2. Wait after startup -- The gateway needs up to 60 seconds to become responsive
  3. Verify the URL -- Make sure you are using http:// (not https://) and port 8080
  4. Check your network -- Some networks block non-standard ports

For detailed troubleshooting, see Connection Issues.

Session Behavior

  • Sessions persist across page refreshes within the same browser
  • Closing the tab does not end the session immediately
  • Clearing browser cookies will require re-authentication
  • Each browser/device maintains its own session

Related Documentation

Multi-channel Setup

Using Multiple Channels at Once Your OpenClaw instance supports connecting multiple channels sim...

Authentication and Access Control

How Authentication Works in ClawHosters ClawHosters uses different authentication methods depend...

Connection Issues

Diagnosing Connection Problems If you cannot reach your OpenClaw instance through the web UI, a ...