Claude Code CLI for OpenClaw

What This Skill Does

The Claude Code CLI for OpenClaw skill integrates Anthropic’s official Claude Code CLI into your OpenClaw agent workflow. Unlike standard API-based agents that dump massive file contents into the context window, this skill utilizes Claude Code’s native file exploration and tool-calling capabilities. By acting as a specialized developer tool, it reduces token usage by 80-90%, improves edit precision, and allows your agent to work directly with your project codebase using a persistent, authenticated Claude Max session. It bridges the gap between raw terminal access and intelligent coding assistance.

Installation

1. Ensure Node.js and npm are installed on your environment.
2. Install the package globally via your terminal: npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code.
3. Run the installation script provided in the skill directory to configure paths: bash /root/.openclaw/workspace/skills/claude-code/scripts/install.sh.
4. Initialize authentication using claude setup-token. Follow the browser-based OAuth flow to generate a long-lived sk-ant-oat01- token. Note that standard API keys are not compatible; a valid Claude Max subscription is required.

Use Cases

• Refactoring: Efficiently apply structural changes across multiple files without exceeding context limits.
• Complex Bug Fixes: Allow the agent to explore the directory, read logs, and trace code execution flow natively.
• Project Onboarding: Use the CLAUDE.md file to help the agent understand architecture, style guides, and project-specific constraints automatically.
• Automated Scaffolding: Generate boilerplate code, unit tests, and documentation files with high fidelity.

Example Prompts

1. "Claude Code, scan the src/ directory and propose a refactor for the authentication module to improve error handling."
2. "Use Claude Code to fix the integration bug in database.js after reading the project documentation in README.md."
3. "Run a code review on the latest commit and generate a summary of technical debt in the components/ folder."

Tips & Limitations

• TTY Requirement: This skill requires a PTY-enabled terminal for the OAuth setup process.
• Token Efficiency: Always prefer this tool for large-scale edits to keep costs flat under your Claude Max subscription.
• Limitations: It is strictly for coding tasks; do not use it as a general-purpose chat interface. Ensure your Git repo is clean before running autonomous edits to allow for easy reverts.