Recommended Quick Setup
Use this path when you want the shortest practical route from VPS order to a usable OpenClaw server workspace, with OpenClaw's official documentation as the source of truth for exact versions, flags and service behaviour. The full checklist below expands each step.
VPS plan
Choose a plan with 3 CPU cores, 6 GB RAM, 50 GB NVMe storage, unlimited bandwidth, 1 free snapshot, IPv4 + IPv6.
Operating system
Use Ubuntu VPS or another supported Linux server for the selected OpenClaw runtime path.
Access method
Connect with SSH, prefer SSH keys where practical, use root or sudo access for setup and restrict exposed ports to the services you intentionally run.
Runtime workflow
Best when OpenClaw should keep running after SSH logout through the documented daemon path.
Session continuity
Use the OpenClaw gateway daemon or documented service path for persistence; use tmux, systemd, Docker Compose or other supervision only where they fit the chosen deployment path.
Safety checkpoint
Take a snapshot before major dependency changes, protect provider keys and repository credentials, keep the gateway/control UI private unless remote access is protected, test a small workflow and scale the VPS only after measuring real CPU, RAM, storage and runtime activity.
Who This Guide Is For
This page is for users who want OpenClaw to run from a persistent VPS environment instead of depending on a local desktop session.
Developers moving assistant workflows to a VPS
Use a VPS when assistant runtime, gateway configuration, logs and dependencies need a stable remote home.
Teams testing channel-connected AI assistants
Keep messaging channels, provider access and integration experiments in a controlled server environment.
Operators who need persistent logs and configuration
Store runtime output, configuration files, credentials and troubleshooting context where they can be inspected later.
Builders comfortable maintaining a self-managed Linux server
PakiWebHost provides the VPS infrastructure. You install, configure, secure, update and operate the software you run on it.
What You Need Before You Start
Before selecting a plan or installing OpenClaw, confirm the server access, runtime path, credentials, firewall exposure, remote-access method and recovery routine needed for the deployment.
A Linux VPS suitable for the selected OpenClaw runtime path, with SSH access and root or sudo access ready before installation.
Basic terminal knowledge, Git and the required package managers available for the installer, gateway or source setup path.
Install Docker only when the chosen OpenClaw path requires containers, and Node.js only for manual Node-based setup.
Your own API keys, provider accounts, model access, repositories and configuration before connecting the runtime.
Domain and firewall rules for public interfaces or webhooks, avoid exposing the default gateway/control port directly to the public internet and take your own backups or a VPS snapshot before production changes.
If you are still choosing infrastructure, compare the matching OpenClaw VPS hosting page before choosing a plan.
Choose the OpenClaw Runtime Path
Before running commands, decide how OpenClaw should be installed, updated, restarted, accessed remotely and recovered on the VPS. Use current upstream documentation as the authority for exact versions, ports, bindings and flags.
Onboarded gateway daemon
Best when OpenClaw should keep running after SSH logout through the documented daemon path.
Foreground debug mode
Best for first tests where you need verbose logs and quick rollback.
Channel-connected assistant
Best when WhatsApp, Telegram, Slack, Discord or another channel needs a stable gateway.
Sandboxed sessions
Best when non-main channel sessions need tighter tool boundaries and review.
Recommended VPS Requirements
Use these as planning baselines for a small gateway-style deployment. Requirements change with channel count, tools, repository size, logs, background jobs and any local model inference.
Minimum starting point for a test environment
Use this to validate onboarding, gateway status, provider authentication and one small agent workflow before committing to an always-on deployment.
- 2 CPU cores
- 4 GB RAM
- 30 GB NVMe storage
- Ubuntu VPS or another supported Linux server
- Root access
Recommended PakiWebHost starting point
- 3 CPU cores
- 6 GB RAM
- 50 GB NVMe storage
- Unlimited bandwidth
- 1 free snapshot
- IPv4 + IPv6
The recommended starting point gives OpenClaw CPU headroom for background tasks and package builds, RAM for dependencies and runtime processes, NVMe storage for channel configuration, gateway logs, source checkouts and assistant runtime boundaries, and root access for packages, services and firewall configuration.
Recommended Architecture
The VPS is the runtime layer. You connect over SSH, configure OpenClaw and control logs, state and access. Keep the gateway behind SSH, Tailscale or another private path unless a webhook requires exposure.
You / Operator
You connect over SSH and control the full workflow, configuration, security and updates.
PakiWebHost VPS
Provides the persistent server with storage, networking, root access, snapshots and backups.
OpenClaw Runtime
OpenClaw runtime, agents, tools and gateway processes running on the VPS.
External Services
API and model providers, repositories, tools and integrations that you connect and manage.
Why OpenClaw Benefits from a VPS
OpenClaw benefits from a VPS because the assistant runtime, gateway configuration, messaging channels, logs and tool permissions can stay in one remotely accessible environment.
Always-on assistant runtime
Keep the OpenClaw process and supporting services available without depending on a desktop being open or online.
Messaging and gateway context
Keep channel configuration, provider credentials, webhooks and gateway logs together on the same server.
Cleaner tool-permission boundary
Use the VPS to separate assistant workspace permissions from local workstation files and unrelated production systems.
Measured integration growth
Pay attention to channel configuration, approval boundaries, workspace permissions and where logs are written. Keep the assistant workspace narrow at first and expand integrations only after the base runtime is stable.
Security Basics for OpenClaw on a VPS
- Use SSH keys where possible and keep key access limited to operators who need server control.
- Keep root login limited, and use a non-root deployment user for routine work where practical.
- Keep the OpenClaw gateway/control UI on loopback or private access unless public exposure is explicitly documented and protected.
- Restrict ports to SSH and intentionally exposed, authenticated services.
- Store provider credentials, gateway/channel secrets and generated OpenClaw config only through the path documented for your selected deployment mode.
- Avoid committing real OpenClaw config, provider keys, token/password secrets or channel credentials.
- Review SSH logs, OpenClaw gateway logs, channel access, provider-key usage, source checkout changes, configured agents and assistant workspace permissions.
- Keep OS packages, OpenClaw and selected runtime dependencies updated through documented update paths.
- Snapshot before major OpenClaw, dependency or channel-configuration changes.
- Monitor failed SSH, gateway and channel-auth attempts.
- Rotate exposed provider keys, gateway tokens and repository credentials quickly.
- Keep experiments, broad tool permissions and untrusted repositories separate from production systems.
The server can contain channel configuration, gateway logs, source checkouts, provider credentials, assistant state and runtime permissions. Keep the default gateway surface private, apply channel allowlists where available and harden the VPS before production use.
When This Setup Is Not Necessary
Local testing is enough
You may not need a VPS if you are only testing OpenClaw locally, working from one private machine, reviewing a small repository or experimenting without persistent SSH access.
Server management may be unnecessary
This setup is not ideal if you do not want to manage Linux updates, SSH access, firewall rules, disk usage, credentials or repository permissions yourself.
Use a VPS for persistent remote state
Use a VPS when the workspace, workflow state, logs, tools and assistant workflow should stay available in a controlled remote environment.
Ready to run OpenClaw on an always-on VPS?
Deploy an OpenClaw VPS and use this guide as your review checklist while you prepare the setup.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, if the current OpenClaw release supports the Linux distribution and runtime path you choose. Use this guide together with the official documentation for exact installer, onboarding, gateway and update commands.
Not for the VPS runtime pattern described here. This guide focuses on the gateway, messaging channels, provider access, logs, workspace permissions and controlled agent tests; verify separate hardware needs if you plan local model inference.
No. Bring your own provider accounts, credentials, API keys, model access, repositories and framework configuration.
Start with a recommended plan for a practical first deployment, then scale after measuring CPU, RAM, storage, process count, channel configuration, gateway logs, source checkouts and assistant runtime boundaries.
Yes, if OpenClaw is run as a server-side gateway or service using a documented daemon, systemd, container or process-management method. The VPS keeps channel configuration, gateway logs, source checkouts and assistant runtime boundaries separate from your local desktop session.
Use Docker only when the official OpenClaw documentation supports it or your deployment design calls for it. Otherwise use the recommended installer/onboarding path and the documented gateway daemon.
No by default. Keep the gateway/control port private on loopback and use SSH tunneling, Tailscale/VPN or another documented authenticated access path unless a public webhook or channel requires carefully restricted exposure.
No. PakiWebHost provides the VPS infrastructure. You install, configure, secure, update and operate the software you run on it.