Integrating OpenClaw with Google Assistant (Step-by-Step)

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Connect OpenClaw to Google Assistant for voice-activated AI agent control in your smart home.

Integrating OpenClaw with Google Assistant (Step-by-Step)

By connecting OpenClaw to Google Assistant, you can control your AI agent through voice commands on Google Home devices, Nest speakers, and any device running Google Assistant. This gives you hands-free access to OpenClaw's full capabilities.

How It Works

Voice Command → Google Assistant → Webhook → OpenClaw Gateway → Response → Speaker

Google Assistant forwards your voice commands to OpenClaw via a webhook, and OpenClaw sends the response back to be spoken aloud.

Prerequisites

Step 1: Set Up Public Access

# For testing: use ngrok to expose your local OpenClaw
ngrok http 3000
# → Forwarding: https://abc123.ngrok.io → http://localhost:3000

# For production: configure your reverse proxy
# Your OpenClaw endpoint will be:
# https://your-domain.com/api/google-assistant/webhook

Step 2: Install the Google Assistant Skill

openclaw skill install google-assistant
openclaw skill setup google-assistant
# → Public webhook URL: https://your-domain.com/api/google-assistant/webhook
# → Invocation name: open claw
# → Language: English
# → Configured!

Step 3: Create a Google Actions Project

• Go to Google Actions Console
• Click New project → Name it "OpenClaw Assistant"
• Choose Custom → Blank project
• Go to Develop → Invocation → Set display name to "Open Claw"

Step 4: Configure Dialogflow (or Actions Builder)

// Webhook configuration
{
  "webhook": {
    "url": "https://your-domain.com/api/google-assistant/webhook",
    "headers": {
      "Authorization": "Bearer ${GOOGLE_WEBHOOK_SECRET}"
    }
  }
}

Step 5: Define Intents

Set up a catch-all intent that forwards everything to OpenClaw:

{
  "intent": "openclaw.query",
  "trainingPhrases": [
    "Ask OpenClaw *",
    "Tell OpenClaw *",
    "OpenClaw *"
  ],
  "fulfillment": {
    "webhook": true
  }
}

OpenClaw Configuration

# ~/.openclaw/skills/google-assistant/config.yaml
google_assistant:
  webhook:
    path: /api/google-assistant/webhook
    secret: ${GOOGLE_WEBHOOK_SECRET}
    
  voice:
    response_format: ssml        # ssml or plain
    max_response_length: 640     # Characters (Google limit)
    speaking_rate: medium
    
  behavior:
    greeting: "Hi! How can I help?"
    error_message: "Sorry, I couldn't process that. Try again."
    timeout_message: "I'm taking too long. Let me try a simpler answer."
    
  permissions:
    location: true               # Access user's location
    name: true                   # Access user's name
    
  responses:
    include_suggestions: true    # Show suggestion chips on screens
    max_suggestions: 3

Voice Interaction Examples

"Hey Google, talk to Open Claw"
Google: "Hi! How can I help?"

"What's on my calendar today?"
Google: "You have 3 events: A standup at 9, a product review at 11,
         and a 1-on-1 at 2 PM."

"Set a reminder to buy groceries at 5 PM"
Google: "Done! I've set a reminder for 5 PM to buy groceries."

"Send a message to Alex saying I'll be late"
Google: "I'll send Alex a message saying you'll be late. Should I
         send it now?"
"Yes"
Google: "Message sent to Alex."

SSML Response Formatting

OpenClaw can send rich voice responses using SSML:

<speak>
  You have <say-as interpret-as="cardinal">3</say-as> meetings today.
  <break time="500ms"/>
  The first one is at <say-as interpret-as="time">09:00</say-as>,
  a standup meeting.
</speak>

Multi-Device Support

Testing

# Test the webhook locally
curl -X POST https://your-domain.com/api/google-assistant/webhook \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $GOOGLE_WEBHOOK_SECRET" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "handler": {"name": "openclaw.query"},
    "intent": {"query": "What is the weather today?"}
  }'

# Test in Actions Console
# Go to Test tab → Type or speak your query

Troubleshooting

Tip: Voice responses need to be much shorter than text responses. Configure OpenClaw to give concise answers when the request comes from Google Assistant. A good rule of thumb is under 3 sentences for routine queries.