[AI-assisted] docs: recommend Node 26 in quickstart, landing, and platform install docs (#115064)

* docs: recommend Node 26 in quickstart, landing, and platform install docs

- Problem: the user-facing quickstart (docs/start/getting-started.md), landing
  page (docs/index.md), and Linux/macOS platform install docs still mark
  Node 24 as the recommended default, contradicting maintainer PR #114399
  ('recommend Node 26 as the OpenClaw runtime') and the installer default
  (scripts/install.sh NODE_DEFAULT_MAJOR=26, openclaw.mjs
  RECOMMENDED_NODE_MAJOR=26). Users following the quickstart pick a slower,
  heavier runtime against the project's stated recommendation.
- Fix: align the 4 missed user-facing install surfaces to 'Node 26
  recommended', matching the phrasing already in docs/install/node.md,
  docs/install/index.md, docs/install/ansible.md, docs/install/bun.md, and
  docs/help/faq-first-run.md. Leave docs/start/setup.md (the source/dev
  workflow where CI pins Node 24) unchanged on purpose.
- Verification: docs-only diff reviewed; supported-version floors
  (22.22.3+/24.15+/25.9+) unchanged; consistent across all install surfaces.

* docs: complete Node 26 installation guidance

Co-authored-by: Santhi Prakash <b.santhiprakash@gmail.com>

---------

Co-authored-by: Peter Steinberger <steipete@gmail.com>

docs/index.md

@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ OpenClaw is a **self-hosted gateway** that connects your favorite chat apps —
 - **Agent-native**: built for coding agents with tool use, sessions, memory, and multi-agent routing
 - **Open source**: MIT licensed, community-driven
 
-**What do you need?** Node 24.15+ (recommended), Node 22 LTS (`22.22.3+`) for compatibility, or Node 25.9+, an API key from your chosen provider, and 5 minutes. For best quality and security, use the strongest latest-generation model available.
+**What do you need?** Node 26 (recommended), or another supported release: Node 22.22.3+, Node 24.15+, or Node 25.9+. You also need an API key from your chosen provider and 5 minutes. For best quality and security, use the strongest latest-generation model available.
 
 ## How it works
 

docs/install/digitalocean.md

@@ -44,8 +44,8 @@ DigitalOcean is a straightforward paid VPS path. For cheaper or free options:
 
     apt update && apt upgrade -y
 
-    # Install Node.js 24
+    # Install Node.js 26
-    curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_24.x | bash -
+    curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_26.x | bash -
     apt install -y nodejs
 
     # Install OpenClaw

docs/install/installer.md

@@ -72,9 +72,9 @@ Recommended for most interactive installs on macOS/Linux/WSL.
   <Step title="Detect OS">
     Supports macOS and Linux (including WSL).
   </Step>
-  <Step title="Ensure Node.js 24 by default">
+  <Step title="Ensure Node.js 26 by default">
     Checks Node version and installs Node 26 if needed (Homebrew `node` on macOS, NodeSource setup scripts on Linux apt/dnf/yum). On macOS, Homebrew is installed only when the installer needs it for Node or Git. Node 22.22.3+, Node 24.15+, and Node 25.9+ are supported; Node 23 is unsupported.
-    On Alpine/musl Linux, the installer uses apk packages instead of NodeSource and verifies the actual linked SQLite version. Current stable Alpine package streams can provide a new-enough Node with vulnerable system SQLite; when that happens, use an official `node:24-alpine` container or a glibc-based host instead.
+    On Alpine/musl Linux, the installer uses apk packages instead of NodeSource and verifies the actual linked SQLite version. Current stable Alpine package streams can provide a new-enough Node with vulnerable system SQLite; when that happens, use an official `node:26-alpine` container or a glibc-based host instead.
   </Step>
   <Step title="Ensure Git">
     Installs Git if missing using the detected package manager, including Homebrew on macOS and apk on Alpine.
@@ -299,7 +299,7 @@ by default, plus git-checkout installs under the same prefix flow.
   <Step title="Ensure PowerShell + Windows environment">
     Requires PowerShell 5+.
   </Step>
-  <Step title="Ensure Node.js 24 by default">
+  <Step title="Ensure a supported Node.js runtime">
     If missing, attempts install via winget, then Chocolatey, then Scoop. If no package manager is available, the script downloads the official Node.js 26 Windows zip into `%LOCALAPPDATA%\OpenClaw\deps\portable-node` and adds it to the current process and user PATH. Node 22.22.3+, Node 24.15+, and Node 25.9+ are supported; Node 23 is unsupported.
   </Step>
   <Step title="Install OpenClaw">

docs/install/raspberry-pi.md

@@ -66,9 +66,9 @@ Run a persistent, always-on OpenClaw Gateway on a Raspberry Pi. Since the Pi is
 
   </Step>
 
-  <Step title="Install Node.js 24">
+  <Step title="Install Node.js 26">
     ```bash
-    curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_24.x | sudo -E bash -
+    curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_26.x | sudo -E bash -
     sudo apt install -y nodejs
     node --version
     ```

docs/platforms/linux.md

@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ Linux v1 uses one Canvas window. HTTP and HTTPS pages are renderable, but A2UI a
 
 The CLI remains the simplest option for a headless server, a VPS, or a remote Gateway:
 
-1. Install Node 24.15+ (recommended), Node 22.22.3+ (LTS), or Node 25.9+.
+1. Install Node 26 (recommended), or another supported release: Node 22.22.3+, Node 24.15+, or Node 25.9+.
 2. `npm i -g openclaw@latest`
 3. `openclaw onboard --install-daemon`
 4. From your laptop: `ssh -N -L 18789:127.0.0.1:18789 <user>@<host>`

docs/platforms/mac/bundled-gateway.md

@@ -26,8 +26,8 @@ OpenClaw package.
 
 ## Manual recovery
 
-Node 24.15+ is recommended for a manual install; Node 22.22.3+ also works. Install
+For a manual install, use Node 26 (recommended) or another supported release:
-`openclaw` globally:
+Node 22.22.3+, Node 24.15+, or Node 25.9+. Install `openclaw` globally:
 
 ```bash
 npm install -g openclaw@<version>

docs/start/getting-started.md

@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ working chat session.
 
 ## What you need
 
-- **Node.js 22.22.3+, 24.15+, or 25.9+** (24 is the recommended default)
+- **Node.js 22.22.3+, 24.15+, or 25.9+** (Node 26 is the recommended runtime)
 - **An API key** from a model provider (Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, etc.) — onboarding will prompt you
 
 <Tip>