build: align Node 22 guidance with 22.16 minimum

docs/install/installer.md

@@ -251,8 +251,8 @@ Designed for environments where you want everything under a local prefix (defaul
   <Step title="Ensure PowerShell + Windows environment">
     Requires PowerShell 5+.
   </Step>
-  <Step title="Ensure Node.js 22+">
+  <Step title="Ensure Node.js 24 by default">
-    If missing, attempts install via winget, then Chocolatey, then Scoop.
+    If missing, attempts install via winget, then Chocolatey, then Scoop. Node 22 LTS, currently `22.16+`, remains supported for compatibility.
   </Step>
   <Step title="Install OpenClaw">
     - `npm` method (default): global npm install using selected `-Tag`

docs/platforms/mac/dev-setup.md

@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ This guide covers the necessary steps to build and run the OpenClaw macOS applic
 Before building the app, ensure you have the following installed:
 
 1. **Xcode 26.2+**: Required for Swift development.
-2. **Node.js 22+ & pnpm**: Required for the gateway, CLI, and packaging scripts.
+2. **Node.js 24 & pnpm**: Recommended for the gateway, CLI, and packaging scripts. Node 22 LTS, currently `22.16+`, remains supported for compatibility.
 
 ## 1. Install Dependencies
 

scripts/install.sh

@@ -1380,7 +1380,7 @@ ensure_default_node_active_shell() {
         echo "Then open a new shell and rerun:"
         echo "  curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash"
     else
-        echo "Install/select Node.js 22+ and ensure it is first on PATH, then rerun installer."
+        echo "Install/select Node.js ${NODE_DEFAULT_MAJOR} (or Node ${NODE_MIN_VERSION}+ minimum) and ensure it is first on PATH, then rerun installer."
     fi
 
     return 1
@@ -1477,7 +1477,7 @@ install_node() {
             fi
         else
             ui_error "Could not detect package manager"
-            echo "Please install Node.js 22+ manually: https://nodejs.org"
+            echo "Please install Node.js ${NODE_DEFAULT_MAJOR} manually (or Node ${NODE_MIN_VERSION}+ minimum): https://nodejs.org"
             exit 1
         fi
 

src/commands/doctor-gateway-services.ts

@@ -257,7 +257,7 @@ export async function maybeRepairGatewayServiceConfig(
       note(warning, "Gateway runtime");
     }
     note(
-      "System Node 22+ not found. Install via Homebrew/apt/choco and rerun doctor to migrate off Bun/version managers.",
+      "System Node 22 LTS (22.16+) or Node 24 not found. Install via Homebrew/apt/choco and rerun doctor to migrate off Bun/version managers.",
       "Gateway runtime",
     );
   }

src/daemon/program-args.ts

@@ -153,7 +153,9 @@ async function resolveBinaryPath(binary: string): Promise<string> {
     if (binary === "bun") {
       throw new Error("Bun not found in PATH. Install bun: https://bun.sh");
     }
-    throw new Error("Node not found in PATH. Install Node 22+.");
+    throw new Error(
+      "Node not found in PATH. Install Node 24 (recommended) or Node 22 LTS (22.16+).",
+    );
   }
 }
 

src/daemon/runtime-paths.test.ts

@@ -251,7 +251,7 @@ describe("resolveSystemNodeInfo", () => {
       "/Users/me/.fnm/node-22/bin/node",
     );
 
-    expect(warning).toContain("below the required Node 22+");
+    expect(warning).toContain("below the required Node 22.16+");
     expect(warning).toContain(darwinNode);
   });
 });

src/daemon/runtime-paths.ts

@@ -151,7 +151,7 @@ export function renderSystemNodeWarning(
   }
   const versionLabel = systemNode.version ?? "unknown";
   const selectedLabel = selectedNodePath ? ` Using ${selectedNodePath} for the daemon.` : "";
-  return `System Node ${versionLabel} at ${systemNode.path} is below the required Node 22+.${selectedLabel} Install Node 22+ from nodejs.org or Homebrew.`;
+  return `System Node ${versionLabel} at ${systemNode.path} is below the required Node 22.16+.${selectedLabel} Install Node 24 (recommended) or Node 22 LTS from nodejs.org or Homebrew.`;
 }
 export { resolveStableNodePath };
 

src/daemon/service-audit.ts

@@ -362,7 +362,7 @@ async function auditGatewayRuntime(
         issues.push({
           code: SERVICE_AUDIT_CODES.gatewayRuntimeNodeSystemMissing,
           message:
-            "System Node 22+ not found; install it before migrating away from version managers.",
+            "System Node 22 LTS (22.16+) or Node 24 not found; install it before migrating away from version managers.",
           level: "recommended",
         });
       }