launch
Create a new sandbox instance.
Bash
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
--api-key | Novita API key |
--gateway-token | Custom gateway token (optional, auto-generated by default) |
--timeout | Creation timeout in seconds (default: 60) |
--type | Sandbox type: persistent (default) or on-demand |
--idle-timeout | Idle timeout in seconds for on-demand mode (default: 300, range: 60–86400) |
list
List active sandbox instances.
Bash
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
--api-key | Novita API key |
--quiet, -q | Only print sandbox IDs, one per line (useful for scripting) |
status
Check a sandbox instance status. Displays webhook URLs for all configured channels.
Bash
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
--api-key | Novita API key |
--json | Output in JSON format (useful for extracting webhook URLs) |
stop
Terminate a sandbox instance.
Bash
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
--api-key | Novita API key |
--yes, -y | Skip confirmation prompt |
pause
Pause a sandbox instance. Zero billing while paused.
Bash
resume
Resume a paused sandbox instance (~1s to restore).
Bash
config set
Update sandbox runtime configuration.
Bash
tui
Connect to a sandbox via terminal UI.
Bash
doctor
Run diagnostics and repair checks on a sandbox instance.
Bash
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
--api-key | Novita API key |
--deep | Scan system services for extra gateway installs |
--fix | Apply recommended repairs (alias for --repair) |
--force | Apply aggressive repairs (overwrites custom service config) |
--generate-gateway-token | Generate and configure a gateway token |
--no-workspace-suggestions | Disable workspace memory system suggestions |
--repair | Apply recommended repairs without prompting |
--yes | Accept defaults without prompting |
gateway update
Update OpenClaw to the latest version inside a sandbox.
Bash
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
--api-key | Novita API key |
--restart | Restart gateway after update |
gateway restart
Restart the OpenClaw Gateway in a sandbox.
Bash
services setup
Install and start Web Terminal and File Manager on an existing sandbox. Use this to add services to older sandboxes that were launched before these services were included.
Bash
pair list
List pending pairing requests for a channel.
Bash
pair approve
Approve a pairing request for a channel.
Bash
pair feishu
Configure Feishu (Lark) as a messaging channel.
Bash
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
--app-id | Feishu app ID |
--app-secret | Feishu app secret |
--mode | event (default) or webhook |
--verification-token | Webhook verification token (webhook mode only) |
--encrypt-key | Webhook encrypt key (webhook mode only) |
--webhook-host | Webhook bind address (default: 0.0.0.0) |
--webhook-port | Webhook listen port (default: 3000) |
--webhook-path | Webhook URL path (default: /feishu/events) |
pair telegram
Configure Telegram as a messaging channel.
Bash
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
--bot-token | Telegram bot token from BotFather |
--mode | polling (default) or webhook |
--webhook-url | Public webhook URL (webhook mode only) |
--webhook-secret | Webhook secret (webhook mode only) |
--webhook-host | Webhook bind address (default: 0.0.0.0) |
--webhook-port | Webhook listen port (default: 8787) |
--webhook-path | Webhook URL path (default: /webhook/telegram) |
--dm-policy | DM policy (default: pairing) |
pair slack
Configure Slack as a messaging channel.
Bash
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
--bot-token | Slack bot token (xoxb-...) |
--app-token | Slack app token (xapp-..., socket mode only) |
--mode | socket (default) or http |
--signing-secret | Slack signing secret (HTTP mode only) |
--webhook-host | Webhook bind address (default: 0.0.0.0) |
--webhook-port | Webhook listen port (default: 8788) |
--webhook-path | Webhook URL path (default: /webhook/slack) |
update
Check for CLI updates and upgrade to the latest version.
Bash
Programmatic Usage
Use JSON output for automation:Bash
Environment Variables
| Variable | Description |
|---|---|
NOVITA_API_KEY | API key, eliminates the need for --api-key flag |
OPENCLAW_GATEWAY_TOKEN | Preset gateway token |
Troubleshooting
Command not found
Try one of these:Bash
Connection timeout
Increase launch timeout:Bash
Frequently Asked Questions
| Problem | Why it happens | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| ”Command not found” / “Not recognized” | Python PATH not configured during install | Reinstall Python and check “Add to PATH”, or add the bin directory manually |
| ”Permission Denied” | Insufficient permissions | Windows: Run Terminal as Administrator. Mac/Linux: prefix with sudo |
| ”Invalid API Key” | Key copied incorrectly | Check for extra spaces around the sk_ string, or generate a new key |
| Sandbox won’t stop | Requires confirmation to prevent accidental deletion | Type y when prompted, or use --yes to skip confirmation |
Mac: pip command not found | macOS uses pip3 by default | Use pip3 install novitaclaw instead of pip |