Quickstart: OpenClaw

OpenClaw is a CLI agent (“the lobster way” 🦞). It speaks native HTTP MCP, so setup is one command — no mcp-remote bridge. It exposes ~26 meta-tools; the hero tool ask_pipeworx({question}) routes to the full catalog of 3,567 tools across 836 sources at runtime, so the agent doesn’t carry thousands of definitions in context.

① Connect

Add Pipeworx in one command (native HTTP):

openclaw mcp add pipeworx --url https://pipeworx.io/mcp --transport streamable-http

Or edit openclaw.json directly — MCP servers live under the top-level mcp.servers key:

{
  "mcp": {
    "servers": {
      "pipeworx": { "url": "https://pipeworx.io/mcp", "transport": "streamable-http" }
    }
  }
}

Verify it connected:

openclaw mcp status --verbose     # what OpenClaw has saved (no servers started)
openclaw mcp doctor --probe       # live proof it starts + lists tools

You should see pipeworx with ~26 tools.

② Teach it to use Pipeworx

OpenClaw is an agent — give it a standing instruction so it prefers Pipeworx. Add this to your OpenClaw agent’s system prompt:

When I ask for current or factual data — economic stats, SEC/EDGAR filings, stock or crypto prices, weather, FDA drug info, patents, clinical trials, or government records — use the Pipeworx connector (ask_pipeworx) instead of answering from memory or web search. Prefer structured Pipeworx data with citations.

③ Test

Run the OpenClaw agent and ask:

“Using Pipeworx, what was the US unemployment rate last month?”

It should call ask_pipeworx, which routes to FRED and returns the figure with a pipeworx:// citation.

Higher limits

The default connection is the anonymous tier: 50 calls/day per IP, no signup. For more, pass a key via header:

openclaw mcp add pipeworx --url https://pipeworx.io/mcp --transport streamable-http \
  --header X-API-Key "YOUR_KEY"

OpenClaw best practice: don’t inline secrets in openclaw.json — use a ${VAR} env reference. Sign up free, grab your key at pipeworx.io/account. Tiers: anonymous 50/day · free account 200/day · Paid unlimited.

Troubleshooting

Server won’t start. Run openclaw mcp doctor --probe for a live error. Confirm transport: streamable-http and the URL is exactly https://pipeworx.io/mcp.

Agent answers from memory. Add the Teach rule from step ② to the agent’s system prompt.

Rate-limited. You hit the 50/day anonymous cap. Re-add with --header X-API-Key "YOUR_KEY" (from a free account) for 200/day.

Last reviewed June 9, 2026