How to Run OpenClaw on a VPS – Complete Setup Guide

OpenClaw (formerly known as Clawdbot) is a self-hosted AI assistant designed to work directly inside messaging apps. Instead of opening multiple dashboards or web tools, you can interact with your assistant through chat while it runs continuously on your own server.

In this guide, we’ll show how to deploy OpenClaw on a VPS quickly and safely.

TL;DR

• OpenClaw is the new name for Clawdbot.
• Fast setup: create a VPS → connect via SSH → run the onboarding wizard → connect your messenger → send a test message.
• Minimum requirements: 2 GB RAM for basic chat usage.
• Recommended: 4 GB RAM or more if you plan to use automation or browser-based actions.
• Ubuntu 22.04 is the recommended operating system.

What Is OpenClaw?

OpenClaw is an open-source AI assistant that runs on your own infrastructure. It is designed to integrate with messaging platforms, allowing you to interact with your assistant directly through chat.

Unlike traditional AI tools that require a browser interface, OpenClaw works more like a persistent assistant that stays online and remembers previous interactions.

Common use cases include:

• Managing notes, reminders and personal tasks
• Running small automated routines
• Maintaining long-term conversation memory
• Automating actions such as form filling or browser tasks

Because it is self-hosted, you control where the data is stored and how the assistant operates.

Why Run OpenClaw on a VPS?

Running OpenClaw on a personal computer is possible, but it comes with limitations. A VPS provides a stable environment that stays online continuously and offers a public IP address for integrations.

Benefits of using a VPS include:

• 24/7 uptime
• Reliable internet connectivity
• Full control over system configuration
• Easy remote management via SSH

For most users, a small Linux VPS is enough to run OpenClaw without issues.

Recommended VPS Requirements

OpenClaw itself is lightweight, but automation features can increase resource usage.

Minimum configuration:

• 2 vCPU
• 2 GB RAM
• 20 GB SSD storage
• Ubuntu 22.04

Recommended configuration:

• 3+ vCPU
• 4 GB RAM or more
• NVMe storage

This configuration ensures smoother performance when using automation features or background tasks.

Step 1 – Connect to Your VPS

After creating your VPS, connect using SSH:

ssh root@YOUR_SERVER_IP

If you are using Windows, you can use PowerShell or an SSH client like PuTTY.

Step 2 – Install OpenClaw

Run the official installation script:

curl -fsSL https://clawd.bot/install.sh | bash

After installation completes, reload the shell:

exec bash

Step 3 – Start the Setup Wizard

Run the onboarding wizard to configure the assistant:

clawdbot setup --wizard

The wizard will guide you through the initial configuration and service setup.

Step 4 – Connect Your Messaging Platform

OpenClaw works through messaging platforms. During setup, connect one messenger first to verify that everything works correctly.

Once the connection is established, send a test message and confirm that the assistant responds.

Basic Security Tips

When running AI tools on a VPS, following basic security practices is important.

• Use SSH keys instead of passwords
• Keep your system updated
• Avoid exposing admin panels directly to the internet
• Protect API tokens and credentials

Conclusion

OpenClaw makes it possible to run a persistent AI assistant that lives inside your messaging apps. With a VPS, the assistant remains online continuously and can perform tasks or respond whenever needed.

By following the steps above, you can deploy your own OpenClaw instance in just a few minutes and start experimenting with automation and AI workflows.