Bug type

Crash (process/app exits or hangs)

Summary

Gateway fails to start in service mode when installed on Windows with Chinese username path

Steps to reproduce

Problem

Gateway service fails to start when user directory contains Chinese characters

Environment

• OS: Windows 11
• Node: v24.14.0
• OpenClaw: 2026.3.11
• Username: 幻14 (contains Chinese characters)

Steps

1. Install OpenClaw on Windows with Chinese username
2. Run openclaw gateway start (service mode)
3. Gateway exits immediately

Workaround

Manually running the command works:
& "C:\Program Files\nodejs\node.exe" "C:\Users\幻14\AppData\Roaming\npm\node_modules\openclaw\dist\index.js" gateway run

Expected behavior

Gateway should start successfully regardless of username/character encoding

Actual behavior

Gateway exits immediately when started via service/schtasks on Windows with Chinese username. Manual command line execution works fine.

OpenClaw version

2026.3.11

Operating system

Windows 11 (username: 幻14)

Install method

iwr -useb https://openclaw.ai/install.ps1 | iex

Model

minimax

Provider / routing chain

Gateway fails to start, not a routing issue

Config file / key location

No response

Additional provider/model setup details

No response

Logs, screenshots, and evidence

Impact and severity

No response

Additional information

No response