Why does the OpenClaw installer crash with TypeError Cannot read properties of undefined reading trim?

The installer in v2026.4.14 has a bug where the channel QuickStart step tries to call .trim() on an undefined variable. This happens whether you select a channel or choose Skip for now.

How to install OpenClaw 2026.4.14 when the installer keeps crashing?

The trim() TypeError blocks the standard installer. As a workaround, try installing a previous version (2026.4.12) using npm install -g openclaw@2026.4.12 or skip the channel setup entirely if possible.

Does openclaw configure also crash with the trim TypeError?

Yes. GitHub issue #66718 confirms that openclaw configure has the same TypeError: Cannot read properties of undefined (reading trim) on v2026.4.14.

Is the OpenClaw trim TypeError a new bug in April 2026?

Yes. This specific installer crash was introduced in v2026.4.14 (released April 14, 2026). Earlier versions like 2026.4.12 do not have this issue in the channel QuickStart flow.

Which platforms are affected by the OpenClaw installer trim crash?

The bug appears to affect all platforms (macOS, Linux, Windows) since it occurs in the JavaScript installer code that runs on Node.js regardless of OS.

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OpenClaw v2026.4.14 Installer Crashes on Channel QuickStart: TypeError trim() of Undefined Blocks All Installs

Fresh install of OpenClaw 2026.4.14 crashes consistently at the channel selection step with TypeError: Cannot read properties of undefined (reading trim). Reproduces on every attempt whether selecting a channel or choosing Skip. Also affects openclaw configure.

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A CLI tool that validates an OpenClaw upgrade against your specific provider, channel, and service configuration before applying it

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Every OpenClaw point release ships regressions that silently break production setups. v2026.4.14 alone introduced Cloudflare 403 blocks on Codex providers, chat-triggered tool dispatch failures in Telegram and Slack, installer crashes, and cron job deletion during updates. The pattern repeats across every version. This CLI reads your running OpenClaw config (active providers, channel bindings, cron jobs, installed skills), downloads the target release, and runs a provider header check, channel dispatch smoke test, service lifecycle simulation, and cron persistence validation against the new version. It outputs a pass/fail per component with specific issue references so you know exactly what will break before you upgrade.

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