Advanced OpenClaw Tutorials

Intermediate / Advanced • Updated 2026

Ready to go deeper? These tutorials cover map editing, modding, scripting, multiplayer hosting, and performance tuning. Each section is self-contained — jump in wherever your project needs help.

Creating Custom Maps & Missions

OpenClaw ships with FinalMap, a tile-based editor for both single missions and multiplayer skirmish maps.

Map file format

Maps are stored as .map files containing a header, an isometric tile grid, and a list of waypoints, structures, units, and player starting locations. A minimal map file looks like:

[Header]
Size=64,64
Theater=TEMPERATE
Player=2

[Waypoints]
Waypoint00=10,15,Player1
Waypoint01=12,20,Player2

[Terrain]
...tile data...

Workflow

Launch openclaw-editor from the build output.
Choose a theater (Temperate, Snow, Desert, Interior, Urban).
Paint terrain tiles and overlay cliffs, water, and roads.
Place buildings, units, resources, and waypoints.
Save to Maps/MyMap.map and reference it from a mission INI.

Scripting with INI Files

Most gameplay behavior is defined in plain-text .ini files. The engine loads rules.ini, ai.ini, art.ini, and sound.ini on startup.

Defining a custom unit

[ROBO_TANK]
Name=Robo Tank
Image=ROBOTANK
Strength=150
Armor=heavy
Speed=7
Cost=1200
TechLevel=3
Owner=Allies,Soviets
Primary=RAPTOR
Secondary=MISSILE

Adding this stanza to your mod's rules.ini registers a new unit that all factions can build. Artwork goes in art.ini; sounds in sound.ini.

Multiplayer — LAN & Online

OpenClaw uses a peer-to-peer networking model with deterministic lockstep. Hosting is built-in:

Hosting a LAN match

./openclaw --host --map SCG01EA --players 2 --name "Bob"

Connecting from a client

./openclaw --connect 192.168.1.42 --name "Alice"

Online play

For internet matches, forward UDP port 1234 on the host's router, or use a community VPN like Radmin VPN or ZeroTier for a zero-configuration setup.

Performance Tuning

OpenClaw scales from potato laptops up to 4K displays. Use these flags and INI tweaks to get the smoothest experience.

Command-line flags

Flag	Effect
`--resolution 1920x1080`	Override the default 640x480 viewport
`--renderer opengl`	Force OpenGL renderer (default on Linux/macOS)
`--vsync 1`	Cap FPS to display refresh rate
`--scale nearest`	Crisp pixel art at higher resolutions
`--max-fps 144`	Set an FPS cap

High-DPI displays

On Windows, enable "Override high DPI scaling" in the executable's compatibility settings, or set the environment variable OPENCLAW_SCALE=1.5 for fractional scaling.

Linux: Wayland

OpenClaw prefers X11 for the most accurate input handling. To force X11 on a hybrid system, launch with SDL_VIDEODRIVER=x11.

Packaging & Releasing a Mod

Organize files under mods/MyMod/ with subfolders maps/, rules/, art/, audio/.
Add a mod.json with metadata: name, version, author, dependencies.
Zip the folder and share it on the community mod portal.

Need API-level details? See the API documentation.