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How to install and use OpenClaw on a VPS

With the rapid development of artificial intelligence, the emergence of AI agents has become a virtually inevitable stage in the evolution of technology. While the first neural networks primarily answered questions and generated text, modern AI systems are now capable of independently performing real-world tasks: managing servers, analyzing documents, interacting with browsers, automating routine tasks, and even acting as fully-fledged digital operators.

It was on this wave that he appeared OpenClaw — a next-generation open-source AI agent that transforms a standard language model into a practical tool. OpenClaw can run Linux commands, work with Docker, analyze files, control the browser, and connect to Telegram, APIs, and external services. Essentially, it's a personal AI worker that can be hosted on your own server and used 24/7.

What's especially important is that OpenClaw doesn't require expensive infrastructure. In most cases, a standard entry-level VPS costing $5-10 per month is sufficient. Even the basic plan with 2 vCPUs and 2-4 GB of RAM is sufficient for most scenarios: from an AI assistant in Telegram to DevOps automation and server monitoring.

OpenClaw's open-source architecture gives you complete control: you choose your own AI provider, store data on your server, and customize the agent's behavior for specific tasks. This is especially relevant for developers, SEO specialists, system administrators, and businesses looking to implement AI tools without relying on proprietary SaaS platforms.

In this guide, we'll walk you through the step-by-step installation of OpenClaw on a VPS, basic setup, service launch, and practical use cases for the AI agent.

Many people install OpenClaw locally, but a VPS offers many more benefits:

  • continuous operation without the PC turned on;
  • access from anywhere in the world;
  • stability;
  • the ability to connect Telegram bots and automation;
  • safer isolation of the environment.

In this article, we'll walk you through the step-by-step installation of OpenClaw on a VPS running Ubuntu/Debian, including basic configuration and real-world use cases. These instructions are based on official OpenClaw materials.

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What you will need before installation

Minimum requirements for VPS:

  • Ubuntu 22.04 or Debian 12;
  • 2 vCPU;
  • 4 GB RAM;
  • root access;
  • SSH access to the server.

OpenClaw makes extensive use of Node.js and can be run via Docker or directly via the CLI. For beginners, the CLI installation via the official installer is more convenient.

For simple tasks, the VPS level is sufficient START.

Step 1: Connecting to a VPS

After purchasing a server, the provider will provide an IP address, login, and password.

Connect via SSH:

ssh root@SERVER_IP

Example:

ssh root@192.168.1.15

If the system asks for fingerprint confirmation:

yes

After entering the password, you will be taken to the VPS terminal.

Step 2. Updating the system

Before installation, it is advisable to update the packages:

apt update && apt upgrade -y

We also install basic utilities:

apt install curl git unzip nano -y

Step 3: Install OpenClaw

The easiest way is the official install script.

Let's launch:

curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash

Script automatically:

  • will check the system;
  • install Node.js;
  • download OpenClaw;
  • configure CLI;
  • will offer onboarding.

If the installer completed successfully, we check:

openclaw --version

Step 4: Testing the installation

Useful diagnostic commands:

openclaw doctor

The team will check:

  • PATH;
  • Node.js;
  • dependencies;
  • configuration.

You can also check the gateway:

openclaw gateway status

If the status is active, everything works correctly.

Step 5. First onboarding run

Now let's run the initial setup:

openclaw onboard

During onboarding, OpenClaw will ask you:

  • select an AI provider;
  • enter API key;
  • specify model;
  • set up gateway token;
  • select the operating mode.

Supported:

  • OpenAI;
  • Claude;
  • Gemini;
  • DeepSeek;
  • local LLM.

Step 6. Installing as a systemd service

To make OpenClaw start automatically after VPS reboot:

openclaw onboard --install-daemon

Or manually:

systemctl enable openclaw systemctl start openclaw

Examination:

systemctl status openclaw

Step 7. Enabling access to the panel

By default, OpenClaw can run locally.

If external access is needed:

ufw allow 3000

Or use Nginx reverse proxy.

Nginx installation example:

apt install nginx -y

Basic proxy config:

server { listen 80;
server_name your-domain.com;
location / { proxy_pass http://localhost:3000; } }

After that:

systemctl restart nginx

Step 8. OpenClaw Security

OpenClaw has access to the system and can execute commands, so security is critical.

Recommended:

  • do not open the gateway publicly;
  • use SSH tunnels;
  • restrict root access;
  • store API keys in ENV;
  • update OpenClaw regularly;
  • Run the agent in a separate user or Docker container.

Researchers have already warned about the risks of prompt injection and malicious skills.

It's also important to download OpenClaw only from official sources—there have been cases of malicious fake repositories being distributed.

Step 9. Updating OpenClaw

You can update the system using the command:

OpenClaw update

Version check:

openclaw --version
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Possible installation problems

"openclaw not found" error“

Check PATH:

echo $PATH

Add npm bin:

export PATH="$(npm prefix -g)/bin:$PATH"

Then:

source ~/.bashrc

Gateway won't start

Checking the logs:

journalctl -u openclaw -f

Not enough RAM

OpenClaw is quite a power hungry computer.

Experience shows that 2 GB of RAM is sometimes insufficient. Reddit users report stable performance with 4 GB of RAM or more.

OpenClaw Use Cases

Now comes the most interesting part: what can you actually do with OpenClaw?.

1. AI assistant in Telegram

OpenClaw can be connected to Telegram and communicate with it as a fully-fledged AI operator.

Example:

openclaw telegram connect

What it can do:

  • reply to messages;
  • search for information;
  • run commands;
  • generate texts;
  • analyze documents.

2. Automating Linux Tasks

OpenClaw is capable of executing shell commands.

Example:

openclaw run ""show CPU load""

Or:

openclaw exec ""df -h""

Possibilities:

  • server monitoring;
  • log cleaning;
  • Docker management;
  • backup copies;
  • automation of cron tasks.

3. Working with files

Example command:

openclaw file summarize report.pdf

Can:

  • analyze PDF;
  • extract text;
  • create reports;
  • sort files;
  • generate documents.

4. Web automation

OpenClaw can interact with the browser.

For example:

openclaw browse "Find RTX 5090 prices"

Or:

openclaw web login

Scenarios:

  • website parsing;
  • filling out forms;
  • product search;
  • data collection;
  • web scraping.

However, on VPSs, the headless browser is sometimes blocked by anti-bot systems. This is a frequent topic of discussion among OpenClaw users.

5. AI DevOps Assistant

OpenClaw is great for DevOps tasks.

Examples:

openclaw docker p.s.
openclaw deploy production

It is possible to automate:

  • project deployment;
  • container update;
  • monitoring;
  • CI/CD;
  • logging.

6. Content generation

Example:

openclaw write ""SEO article about VPS""

OpenClaw can:

  • write articles;
  • do a rewrite;
  • generate email;
  • create FAQ;
  • translate texts.

7. Working with API

Example:

openclaw api request https://api.example.com

Suitable for:

  • integrations;
  • CRM;
  • ERP;
  • Telegram bots;
  • analysts.

8. Docker Management

If OpenClaw is installed in a Docker infrastructure:

openclaw docker logs nginx
openclaw docker restart app

9. Automatic VPS monitoring

You can configure an AI agent as a watchdog.

Example:

openclaw monitor server

He will be able to:

  • check uptime;
  • monitor CPU/RAM;
  • notify about falls;
  • analyze errors.

10. Working with GitHub

OpenClaw can help developers.

Examples:

openclaw git commit
openclaw git summarize

Can:

  • analyze pull requests;
  • write commit messages;
  • look for errors;
  • generate changelog.

Useful OpenClaw Commands

Checking the status

openclaw status

Gateway check

openclaw gateway status

Update

OpenClaw update

Diagnostics

openclaw doctor

View logs

journalctl -u openclaw -f

Restart

systemctl restart openclaw

An interesting and very inexpensive tool starting from 513 UAH per month.

OpenClaw is one of the most interesting AI agent projects of recent years. It allows you to transform a regular VPS into a fully-fledged AI operator capable of working with Linux, browsers, files, APIs, and external services.

For stable operation, it is better to use a VPS with at least 2 CPUs and 4 GB of RAM, regularly update the system, and pay close attention to security.

When configured correctly, OpenClaw can replace dozens of separate automation scripts and become a central AI hub for servers, businesses, or personal tasks.

Order a VPS for OpenClaw now

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How to install and use OpenClaw on a VPS
How to install and use OpenClaw on a VPS
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