Why does npm install of OpenClaw fail with MODULE_NOT_FOUND?

OpenClaw 2026.4.x declares packageManager:pnpm which causes npm to silently drop channel plugin dependencies during global install hoisting.

How to fix OpenClaw MODULE_NOT_FOUND error?

Use pnpm add -g openclaw instead of npm install -g openclaw. pnpm resolves all dependencies correctly.

Which OpenClaw versions are affected by the npm install bug?

Versions 2026.4.3 through 2026.4.x when installed via npm global install.

What modules are missing in the OpenClaw npm install bug?

@slack/logger, @buape/carbon, @larksuiteoapi/node-sdk, and grammy are silently omitted.

Can openclaw doctor fix the MODULE_NOT_FOUND error?

No. openclaw doctor also crashes with MODULE_NOT_FOUND before completing.

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clawsmith.com/signal/openclaw-npm-global-install-module-not-found-61787

⚠ IssueWide OpenLive

OpenClaw npm global install silently drops channel plugin dependencies (MODULE_NOT_FOUND cascade)

OpenClaw 2026.4.x npm global installs silently omit channel plugin dependencies (@slack/logger, @buape/carbon, @larksuiteoapi/node-sdk, grammy) because packageManager:pnpm declaration causes npm to drop packages during global install hoisting. Every CLI command crashes with MODULE_NOT_FOUND before completing. Workaround: use pnpm add -g openclaw.

Product Idea from this Signal

A CLI tool that validates OpenClaw upgrades against your running configuration, channels, and plugins before you commit to the update

303 ▲

OpenClaw ships releases at a pace of 15+ per month, but upgrades routinely break npm installs (MODULE_NOT_FOUND from pnpm/npm hoisting mismatch), kill Active Memory conversations (fatal timeout instead of fail-open), and drop AR wearable connections (OcuClaw relay regression). Operators have no way to test an upgrade against their specific channel/plugin/model configuration before committing. This tool snapshots your current OpenClaw state, spins up the new version in an isolated environment, runs your channel plugins and skill set against it, and reports what breaks before you touch production.

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