openclaw - 💡(How to fix) Fix [Bug]: openclaw onboard QuickStart WhatsApp fails on fresh install with missing @whiskeysockets/baileys [1 comments, 2 participants]

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openclaw/openclaw#70932Fetched 2026-04-24 10:37:41
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On a fresh openclaw 2026.4.22 install on macOS via the installer script, QuickStart channel setup for WhatsApp fails during openclaw onboard because the bundled WhatsApp setup entry cannot load @whiskeysockets/baileys, and onboarding falls back to whatsapp plugin not available.

Error Message

[plugins] whatsapp failed to load setup entry from /opt/homebrew/lib/node_modules/openclaw/dist/extensions/whatsapp/index.js: Error: Cannot find module '@whiskeysockets/baileys' Require stack:

  • /opt/homebrew/lib/node_modules/openclaw/dist/extensions/whatsapp/auth-store-lH9AsQ9n.js

Root Cause

On a fresh openclaw 2026.4.22 install on macOS via the installer script, QuickStart channel setup for WhatsApp fails during openclaw onboard because the bundled WhatsApp setup entry cannot load @whiskeysockets/baileys, and onboarding falls back to whatsapp plugin not available.

Code Example

[plugins] whatsapp failed to load setup entry from /opt/homebrew/lib/node_modules/openclaw/dist/extensions/whatsapp/index.js: Error: Cannot find module '@whiskeysockets/baileys'
Require stack:
- /opt/homebrew/lib/node_modules/openclaw/dist/extensions/whatsapp/auth-store-lH9AsQ9n.js

---

whatsapp plugin not available.

---

~ curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash

[2/3] Installing OpenClaw
· Installing OpenClaw v2026.4.22
OpenClaw npm package installed
OpenClaw installed

[3/3] Finalizing setup

🦞 OpenClaw installed successfully (OpenClaw 2026.4.22 (00bd2cf))!

Select channel (QuickStart)
WhatsApp (QR link)
09:17:53 [plugins] whatsapp failed to load setup entry from /opt/homebrew/lib/node_modules/openclaw/dist/extensions/whatsapp/index.js: Error: Cannot find module '@whiskeysockets/baileys'
Require stack:
- /opt/homebrew/lib/node_modules/openclaw/dist/extensions/whatsapp/auth-store-lH9AsQ9n.js

Channel setup ──────────────────╮
│                                  │
│  whatsapp plugin not available.  
│                                  │
├──────────────────────────────────╯
RAW_BUFFERClick to expand / collapse

Bug type

Behavior bug (incorrect output/state without crash)

Beta release blocker

No

Summary

On a fresh openclaw 2026.4.22 install on macOS via the installer script, QuickStart channel setup for WhatsApp fails during openclaw onboard because the bundled WhatsApp setup entry cannot load @whiskeysockets/baileys, and onboarding falls back to whatsapp plugin not available.

Steps to reproduce

  1. Run curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash on macOS.
  2. Complete onboarding until channel selection in QuickStart.
  3. Select WhatsApp (QR link).
  4. Observe the onboarding log: whatsapp failed to load setup entry ... Error: Cannot find module '@whiskeysockets/baileys'
  5. Observe the follow-up note: whatsapp plugin not available.

Expected behavior

WhatsApp onboarding should proceed when selected in QuickStart, consistent with the docs that say onboarding prompts to install the WhatsApp plugin the first time it is selected.

Actual behavior

QuickStart prints:

[plugins] whatsapp failed to load setup entry from /opt/homebrew/lib/node_modules/openclaw/dist/extensions/whatsapp/index.js: Error: Cannot find module '@whiskeysockets/baileys'
Require stack:
- /opt/homebrew/lib/node_modules/openclaw/dist/extensions/whatsapp/auth-store-lH9AsQ9n.js

Then onboarding shows:

whatsapp plugin not available.

OpenClaw version

2026.4.22

Operating system

macOS

Install method

Installer script: curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash

Model

Custom Provider

Provider / routing chain

Custom Provider

Additional provider/model setup details

NOT_ENOUGH_INFO

Logs, screenshots, and evidence

~ curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash

[2/3] Installing OpenClaw
· Installing OpenClaw v2026.4.22
✓ OpenClaw npm package installed
✓ OpenClaw installed

[3/3] Finalizing setup

🦞 OpenClaw installed successfully (OpenClaw 2026.4.22 (00bd2cf))!

◇  Select channel (QuickStart)
│  WhatsApp (QR link)
09:17:53 [plugins] whatsapp failed to load setup entry from /opt/homebrew/lib/node_modules/openclaw/dist/extensions/whatsapp/index.js: Error: Cannot find module '@whiskeysockets/baileys'
Require stack:
- /opt/homebrew/lib/node_modules/openclaw/dist/extensions/whatsapp/auth-store-lH9AsQ9n.js

◇  Channel setup ──────────────────╮
│                                  │
│  whatsapp plugin not available.  │
│                                  │
├──────────────────────────────────╯

Docs reference: docs/channels/whatsapp.md says onboarding openclaw onboard should prompt to install the WhatsApp plugin the first time it is selected.

Impact and severity

Affected: fresh packaged installs using QuickStart WhatsApp onboarding on macOS
Severity: High
Frequency: observed on this install attempt
Consequence: WhatsApp cannot be configured from onboarding

Additional information

This appears related to the broader bundled runtime dependency packaging/install issues already reported for packaged installs, but this report is specifically about the 2026.4.22 QuickStart WhatsApp setup-entry failure path with missing @whiskeysockets/baileys.

extent analysis

TL;DR

The most likely fix is to ensure the @whiskeysockets/baileys module is properly installed or bundled with the OpenClaw package.

Guidance

  • Verify that the @whiskeysockets/baileys module is listed as a dependency in the OpenClaw package's package.json file.
  • Check the installation script to ensure it installs all required dependencies, including @whiskeysockets/baileys.
  • Consider manually installing the missing module using npm by running npm install @whiskeysockets/baileys in the OpenClaw installation directory.
  • Review the OpenClaw documentation and issue tracker for any known issues or workarounds related to bundled runtime dependencies.

Example

No code example is provided as the issue seems to be related to dependency management rather than code implementation.

Notes

The issue appears to be related to a broader problem with bundled runtime dependency packaging and installation. Ensuring that all dependencies are properly installed and configured may require adjustments to the installation script or package configuration.

Recommendation

Apply a workaround by manually installing the missing @whiskeysockets/baileys module, as this is a specific and targeted solution to the reported issue.

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FAQ

Expected behavior

WhatsApp onboarding should proceed when selected in QuickStart, consistent with the docs that say onboarding prompts to install the WhatsApp plugin the first time it is selected.

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openclaw - 💡(How to fix) Fix [Bug]: openclaw onboard QuickStart WhatsApp fails on fresh install with missing @whiskeysockets/baileys [1 comments, 2 participants]