{"id":1000109058,"date":"2026-04-20T11:39:10","date_gmt":"2026-04-20T06:09:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/?p=1000109058"},"modified":"2026-04-20T12:59:49","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T07:29:49","slug":"how-to-install-openclaw-on-vps-server","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/how-to-install-openclaw-on-vps-server\/","title":{"rendered":"\u00a0How to install OpenClaw on VPS Server in 2026 |(Windows &amp; Linux)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>If you\u2019ve been running OpenClaw on your own laptop, you\u2019ve probably noticed the biggest limitation pretty quickly. Everything works great\u2026 until you close the lid.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The moment your system goes to sleep, your AI agent disappears with it. No background tasks, no automation, nothing. It\u2019s fine for testing, but not good if you actually want an always-on assistant.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s exactly why moving OpenClaw to a VPS is such a smart upgrade, it keeps your setup running 24\/7, independent of your personal device.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this guide, we\u2019ll walk through how to install OpenClaw on both Linux and Windows VPS servers in a clear, step-by-step way. Our best team has been behind making this entire step by step guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s say you\u2019re comfortable with a Linux terminal or prefer working inside a Windows Server environment, you\u2019ll find here practical instructions and code snippets. We\u2019ll also cover the important things you need to get everything running smoothly, from initial server prep to accessing your OpenClaw dashboard.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This tutorial is designed for developers, freelancers, and self-hosting enthusiasts who want a dependable AI assistant that doesn\u2019t shut down when their computer does.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Let\u2019s dive in!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-box-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-box-heading\" id=\"what-is-openclaw\">What is OpenClaw?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>OpenClaw is a free, open-source autonomous AI agent that you run entirely on your own hardware.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Think of it as your personal AI control center that stays under your control while still being powerful enough to automate real work.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead of building everything from scratch, OpenClaw gives you a ready-made system that can think, respond, and take actions based on your setup.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-note\"><strong>What makes it really interesting is how you interact with it.&nbsp;<\/strong>OpenClaw doesn\u2019t force you into a custom dashboard, instead, it plugs into platforms you already use like WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, Slack, and many more.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It even connects to large language models like Claude, OpenAI GPT, or DeepSeek, acting as a control layer rather than the AI itself.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>In simple words,&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-checked\">\n<li>OpenClaw is the interface and orchestration engine, it sends requests to your chosen LLM and returns intelligent responses.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It also stores your configuration and conversation history locally, so it becomes more context-aware and consistent over time.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Another big strength is its modular \u201cskills\u201d system. Each capability is organized as a simple directory with a SKILL.md file, making it easy to customize without messing with the core system.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-notice\"><strong>One important thing to understand: the always-running part you\u2019ll install on your VPS is the Gateway daemon, it\u2019s what keeps OpenClaw alive 24\/7 and connected to your messaging platforms and AI models.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" id=\"supported-operating-systems\"><strong>Supported Operating Systems<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>OpenClaw is designed to work seamlessly on modern OS, primarily Windows and Linux. This makes it accessible, if you\u2019re using a personal PC or even a remote VPS environment.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The ability to run it on a VPS is especially useful for users who want a solid setup or remote access without depending on the local device.ai <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-box-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-box-heading\" id=\"who-should-use-openclaw-on-vps\"><strong>Who Should Use OpenClaw on VPS<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>OpenClaw on a VPS is a good option for&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-checked\">\n<li>Gamers who want a stable, always-available setup,&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Developers who are interested in experimenting with or modifying the engine,&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Testers who need a controlled environment for debugging or performance checks.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/best-remote-desktop-software\/\">VPS setup also allows for remote access,<\/a> making it easy to run and manage it from anywhere without using your local machine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-box-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-box-heading\" id=\"why-use-a-vps-for-openclaw\">Why Use a VPS for OpenClaw?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re really serious about using OpenClaw as a real AI assistant (not just a local application), a VPS solves a lot of hidden limitations in one go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-arrow-circle\">\n<li><strong>24\/7 availability<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>When OpenClaw runs on your laptop, it\u2019s only alive as long as your system is on. The moment you shut down, everything stops. On a VPS, it\u2019s always running in the background, which means your AI assistant is available anytime, day or night. That \u201calways-on\u201d factor is what makes it actually useful for automation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-arrow-circle\">\n<li><strong>Always-on Gateway daemon<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>OpenClaw runs through a Gateway daemon that keeps everything connected, your messaging platforms, <a href=\"https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/best-api-monitoring-tools\/\">APIs and AI models<\/a>. On a VPS, this daemon is set to restart automatically (using system services like systemd), so even if the server reboots, your setup comes back online without manual intervention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-arrow-circle\">\n<li><strong>Your home IP stays private<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>When you host locally, you\u2019re exposing your own network to the internet, which isn\u2019t good from a security point of view. A VPS acts as a link, your OpenClaw instance runs on the server\u2019s IP, not your personal one. This keeps your home network private.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-arrow-circle\">\n<li><strong>Multi-channel simultaneously<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the biggest advantages is running multiple platforms at the same time. Instead of juggling separate setups, your single VPS can handle WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, Slack, and more, all from one OpenClaw instance. You get a centralized AI assistant that responds across all your channels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-arrow-circle\">\n<li><strong>Remote access from anywhere<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>With a VPS, you\u2019re no longer dependent on one device. You can SSH (securely access) into your server from your laptop or any system and manage OpenClaw instantly. Let\u2019s say you\u2019re traveling or just away from your desk, your setup is always within reach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-arrow-circle\">\n<li><strong>Cost-effective setup<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>You don\u2019t need expensive infrastructure to get started. A basic VPS capable of running OpenClaw typically costs around $3 to 5 per month, which is surprisingly affordable for a 24\/7 hosted AI system. Compared to the value of having a constantly available assistant, it\u2019s a small investment with a big benefit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-arrow-circle\">\n<li><strong>Better performance with dedicated resources<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Running OpenClaw on a VPS gives it its own CPU, RAM, and network bandwidth instead of sharing with your daily apps. <a href=\"https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/ai-personalisation-tools-cold-outreach-emails\/\">Your AI agent runs more reliably<\/a>, handles multiple requests smoothly, and avoids slowdowns caused by your local machine being overloaded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-arrow-circle\">\n<li><strong>Multi-user accessibility<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>A VPS setup makes it easy to let multiple people interact with the same OpenClaw instance through platforms like Telegram or Discord. In practice, this means teams and collaborators can all use the same AI assistant without needing separate installations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-arrow-circle\">\n<li><strong>Real-world use cases (instead of gaming)<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead of LAN gaming scenarios, OpenClaw on a VPS shines in automation and communication workflows, like running a customer support bot on WhatsApp, managing internal team queries on Slack, or automating repetitive tasks via Telegram. It\u2019s less about \u201chosting sessions\u201d and more about building, always-available AI assistant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-box-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-box-heading\" id=\"system-requirements-for-openclaw\">System Requirements for OpenClaw<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Before you jump into the main installation, it\u2019s important to make sure your VPS actually has enough resources to run OpenClaw smoothly.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>See! It\u2019s pretty lightweight for basic use, but if you plan to connect multiple channels or run heavier workflows, you\u2019ll want a bit more headroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" id=\"minimum-requirements\"><strong>Minimum Requirements<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re just getting started or running a personal setup, these specs will get OpenClaw up and running without issues:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Resources<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Minimum Specs<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Notes<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>CPU<\/td><td>1vCore CPU<\/td><td>Single-core is enough for basic usage<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>RAM<\/td><td>512MB to 1GB<\/td><td>1GB recommended for smoother performance<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Storage<\/td><td>5GB SSD NVMe<\/td><td>Enough for OS, OpenClaw, and logs.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>OS<\/td><td>Ubuntu 22.04 \/ Debian 12 \/ Windows Server 2019+<\/td><td>Ubuntu 22.04 LTS is the safest choice<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Node.js<\/td><td>Node 22.16+ (Node 24 Recommended)<\/td><td>Required runtime before installing OpenClaw<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Network<\/td><td>Stable Internet + Open Ports<\/td><td>Port 18789 is used by the Gateway<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" id=\"recommended-requirements-multi-channel-heavy-use\"><strong>Recommended Requirements (Multi-channel \/ Heavy Use)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want to run OpenClaw across multiple platforms or handle more heavy tasks, upgrading your VPS makes a noticeable difference:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Resources<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Recommended Specs<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Notes<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>CPU&nbsp;<\/td><td>2vCore CPU<\/td><td>Handles multiple requests simultaneously<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>RAM<\/td><td>2GB RAM<\/td><td>Better for multiple skills and API calls<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Storage<\/td><td>10GB+ NVMe SSD<\/td><td>Faster performance for logs and execution<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>OS<\/td><td>Ubuntu 22.04&nbsp;<\/td><td>Most stable and widely supported<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Node.js<\/td><td>Node 24 (Latest)<\/td><td>Best compatibility and performance<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Network<\/td><td>Low-Latency datacenter connection<\/td><td>Reduces delay in AI responses<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In short, we can say that the more channels and automation you run, the more these upgraded specs will pay off in speed and stability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-box-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-box-heading\" id=\"prerequisites-before-installation\">Prerequisites Before Installation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Before you jump into installing OpenClaw, it\u2019s worth taking a few minutes to prepare everything properly.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most installation issues don\u2019t come from the setup itself, they come from missing one small requirement. Think of this section as your checklist to avoid frustration later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" id=\"for-linux-vps\"><strong>For Linux VPS<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-arrow-circle\">\n<li><strong>A VPS running Ubuntu 22.04 or Debian 12<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This is your remote server where OpenClaw will live. If you\u2019re new, you can get a VPS from providers like YouStable, DigitalOcean, AWS, and choose Ubuntu 22.04 LTS during setup, it\u2019s the most beginner-friendly option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-arrow-circle\">\n<li><strong>Root or sudo user access (SSH key)<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>You need permission to install software and make system changes. Most<a href=\"https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/best-vps-hosting\/\"> VPS providers<\/a> give you a \u201croot\u201d user by default, or a normal user with sudo access (which lets you run admin commands). We\u2019ll discuss the steps later in this guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-arrow-circle\">\n<li><strong>SSH client (Terminal \/ PuTTY \/ Windows Terminal)<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>SSH is how you connect to your VPS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-notice\">On Mac\/Linux: use the built-in TerminalOn Windows: use Windows Terminal or PuTTY<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ll use this to type commands directly into your server.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-arrow-circle\">\n<li><strong>Your VPS IP address and login credentials<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>After buying a VPS, your provider gives you an IP (something like 123.45.67.89) and a password or SSH key. You\u2019ll need these to log in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-arrow-circle\">\n<li><strong>Node.js 24 (we\u2019ll install it in the next step)<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>OpenClaw runs on<a href=\"https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/best-free-nodejs-hosting\/\"> Node.js, which is basically the engine that executes the code<\/a>. Don\u2019t worry if you don\u2019t have it yet, we\u2019ll install it together step-by-step below in this guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-arrow-circle\">\n<li><strong>LLM API key (Claude, OpenAI, or DeepSeek)<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>OpenClaw itself is not the AI, it connects to external AI models.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-notice\">You\u2019ll need an API key from a provider like:OpenAI (for GPT models)Anthropic (for Claude)DeepSeek<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This key acts like your authentication to use their AI services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-arrow-circle\">\n<li><strong>Messaging platform token (Telegram \/ Discord \/ WhatsApp)<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This is how you\u2019ll actually talk to OpenClaw. For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Telegram Bot Token<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Discord Bot Token<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>WhatsApp Business API credentials<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Without this, OpenClaw won\u2019t have any interface to interact with you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" id=\"for-windows-vps\"><strong>For Windows VPS<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-arrow-circle\">\n<li><strong>Windows Server 2019 or 2022 VPS with RDP access<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead of a command-line environment, you\u2019ll get a full Windows desktop hosted on a remote server.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-arrow-circle\">\n<li><strong>Administrator account credentials<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>These are your login details to access the server. You\u2019ll need admin rights to install software like Node.js<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-arrow-circle\">\n<li><strong>RDP client (Remote Desktop Connection \/ Microsoft Remote Desktop)<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>RDP lets you log into your VPS like a normal Windows PC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-notice\">On Windows: use <a href=\"https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/remote-desktop-hosting\/\">Remote Desktop Connection<\/a> On Mac: use Microsoft Remote Desktop<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-arrow-circle\">\n<li><strong>Node.js 24 for Windows<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Just like Linux, OpenClaw needs Node.js to run. You\u2019ll download and install it like any normal Windows application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-arrow-circle\">\n<li><strong>Same API keys as Linux (LLM + messaging platform)<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Regardless of OS, OpenClaw still needs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>An AI provider API key<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A messaging platform token<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-quote\"><strong>Newbie Tip (Very Very Important):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Start with Telegram, it\u2019s by far the easiest platform to set up. Just open Telegram &gt;&gt; search for @BotFather &gt;&gt; follow the prompts to create a bot &gt;&gt; copy the token it gives you &gt;&gt; Keep that token safe, you\u2019ll use it during installation to connect OpenClaw to your bot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have all of the above ready, you\u2019ve already avoided 90% of common setup issues. The actual installation will feel much smoother from here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-box-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-box-heading\" id=\"how-to-choose-the-right-vps-for-openclaw\">How to Choose the Right VPS for OpenClaw<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Picking a VPS, and that too a perfect VPS for our needs, is the most difficult thing as it involves time and effort. But for OpenClaw, you actually don\u2019t need anything too powerful or expensive. The main aim is simple: to choose a server that\u2019s fast enough for your use case.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s break down what really matters:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" id=\"ram-memory\"><strong>RAM (Memory)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>At minimum, you should go for 1GB RAM, which is enough for basic usage like running a single Telegram bot. But if you can stretch a little, 2GB RAM is a much better choice. Why? Because OpenClaw handles API calls and skills in the background, extra memory helps everything run smoothly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" id=\"node-js-support-and-virtualization\"><strong>Node.js Support &amp; Virtualization<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>OpenClaw runs on Node.js, so almost any <a href=\"https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/best-linux-vps-hosting\/\">modern Linux VPS<\/a> will support it. However, try to avoid OpenVZ-based VPS plans, as they can have limitations. Instead, go for KVM virtualization, which gives you better performance and full control, especially useful when running background services like the OpenClaw Gateway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" id=\"server-location-latency\"><strong>Server Location (Latency)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This is something many beginners ignore. <a href=\"https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/best-vps-hosting-brazil\/\">Choose a VPS close to your target users<\/a> or where you\u2019ll access it from. For example, if you\u2019re in India or your users are mostly in Asia, pick a nearby datacenter. This reduces delay (latency), so your AI responses feel faster and more real-time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" id=\"pricing-dont-overspend\"><strong>Pricing (Don\u2019t Overspend)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s the good part! OpenClaw is lightweight. You don\u2019t need a high-end server. A basic VPS in the $3 to $5 per month range is more than enough to get started. You can always upgrade later if your usage grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" id=\"operating-system-choice\"><strong>Operating System Choice<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Go with Ubuntu 22.04 LTS if you\u2019re unsure. It\u2019s the most widely used, well-documented, and tested OS for OpenClaw setups. Most tutorials (including this one) are written with Ubuntu in mind, so you\u2019ll face fewer compatibility issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-box-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-box-heading\" id=\"recommended-vps-providers-for-openclaw\"><strong>Recommended VPS Providers for OpenClaw<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are <a href=\"https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/best-managed-vps-hosting\/\">some reliable VPS providers you can consider<\/a>. Each one has its own strengths depending on your budget and needs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>VPS Providers<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Starting Price<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>RAM<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Best For<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>YouStable&nbsp;<\/td><td>$3.99 per month<\/td><td>1GB+<\/td><td>Great for Indian users, budget-friendly, NVMe SSD<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Vultr<\/td><td>$2.50 per month<\/td><td>512MB+<\/td><td>Developers, global locations, flexible hourly billing<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>DigitalOcean<\/td><td>$8 per month<\/td><td>1GB+<\/td><td>Beginners, clean interface, excellent documentation<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Contabo<\/td><td>$5.99 per month<\/td><td>4GB+<\/td><td>High RAM needs, heavy workloads<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Kamatera<\/td><td>$6 per month<\/td><td>1GB+<\/td><td>Flexible pricing, pay-as-you-go setups<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>If you\u2019re just starting out and want something affordable with good performance, YouStable is a solid option, especially for users in India.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It offers NVMe storage and decent pricing, which works well for OpenClaw without overcomplicating things. That said, you can pick any provider you\u2019re comfortable with, OpenClaw isn\u2019t tied to a specific platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" id=\"managed-vs-unmanaged-vps\"><strong>Managed vs Unmanaged VPS<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/best-linux-unmanaged-vps-hosting\/\">Unmanaged VPS<\/a> is the best option for this guide.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-checked\">\n<li>You get full control over the server, including root access, and you install everything yourself (like Node.js and OpenClaw). It\u2019s cheaper and gives you flexibility, which is perfect if you\u2019re following a step-by-step tutorial.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>In case of <a href=\"https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/best-managed-vps-hosting\/\">Managed VPS service<\/a>, the provider takes care of things like OS updates, security patches, and maintenance.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-checked\">\n<li>It\u2019s easier if you don\u2019t want to deal with server management, but it usually costs more. For OpenClaw, it\u2019s not really necessary unless you\u2019re completely uncomfortable with basic server commands.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you keep things simple, Ubuntu + 1 to 2GB RAM + a reliable provider, you\u2019ll have a solid foundation to run OpenClaw smoothly without wasting money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-box-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-box-heading\" id=\"installing-openclaw-on-linux-vps-step-by-step\">Installing OpenClaw on Linux VPS (Step-by-Step)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This is the most important part of the guide, so take it slow and follow along step by step.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Even if you\u2019ve never used a VPS before, don\u2019t worry, just copy the commands exactly and read the explanations to understand what\u2019s happening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-notice\">Before starting the process, we believe that you have already signed up for a VPS server and have its login credentials. If not, then we recommend you to buy <strong>YouStable\u2019s OpenClaw VPS hosting<\/strong>! It offers 99.99% uptime, quick VPS deployment in 60 seconds and even offers LiveChat support as well<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-note\"><strong><em>Please Note: We have put all the codes in boxes so that you can easily copy paste them and add it to your terminal. We\u2019ve also explained to you what each code does so that you know what you\u2019re doing.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" id=\"step1-buy-a-vps\"><strong>Step1) Buy a VPS&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>First thing, you need to buy an <a href=\"https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/best-openclaw-vps-hosting\/\">OpenClaw VPS hosting<\/a>! For that, we\u2019ve chosen YouStable\u2019s OpenClaw VPS hosting.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"475\" src=\"https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Youstable-1024x475.jpg\" alt=\"Youstable\" class=\"wp-image-1000109122\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Youstable-1024x475.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Youstable-300x139.jpg 300w, https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Youstable.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-checked\">\n<li>Visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/go\/youstable-opneclaw-vps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener sponsored\">official website<\/a>\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Scroll down &gt;&gt; click the Order Now Button<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Choose the annual billing plan to save more &gt;&gt; press the checkout button &gt;&gt; you\u2019ll be redirected to the payment page<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Make the payment and wait for confirmation <a href=\"https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/best-email-marketing-software-tools\/\">email<\/a> (that also contains your VPS login credentials)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"455\" src=\"https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Server-info-1024x455.jpg\" alt=\"Server information\" class=\"wp-image-1000109123\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Server-info-1024x455.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Server-info-300x133.jpg 300w, https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Server-info.jpg 1732w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>This is where everything begins!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" id=\"step2-connect-to-your-vps-via-ssh\"><strong>Step2) Connect to Your VPS via SSH<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Before doing anything, you need to \u201center\u201d your VPS. Think of SSH as a remote control that lets you access your server from your computer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-checked\">\n<li>Open Terminal (Mac\/Linux) or Windows Terminal \/ PuTTY (Windows)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use the<a href=\"https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/best-vpn-with-static-ip-dedicated-ip\/\"> IP address your VPS provider<\/a> gave you<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-notice\">Command:<strong><em>ssh root@YOUR_VPS_IP<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1019\" height=\"406\" src=\"https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/log-in-to-VPS.png\" alt=\"log in to VPS\" class=\"wp-image-1000109125\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/log-in-to-VPS.png 1019w, https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/log-in-to-VPS-300x120.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1019px) 100vw, 1019px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>What\u2019s happening here:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-checked\">\n<li>ssh = secure connection tool<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>root = admin user (full control)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>YOUR_VPS_IP = your server\u2019s address<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>When you put the first codes, you\u2019ll see:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Are you sure you want to continue connecting (yes\/no)?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Type yes and press Enter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Then enter your password (it won\u2019t show while typing, that\u2019s normal).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" id=\"step3-update-system-packages\"><strong>Step3) Update System Packages<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Now that you\u2019re inside your VPS, the first thing you should always do is update it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-notice\">Command:<strong><em>sudo apt update &amp;&amp; sudo apt upgrade -y<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1017\" height=\"534\" src=\"https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/updates.png\" alt=\"apt updates\" class=\"wp-image-1000109126\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/updates.png 1017w, https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/updates-300x158.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1017px) 100vw, 1017px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>What this does:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-checked\">\n<li>apt update \u2192 refreshes the list of available software<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>apt upgrade \u2192 installs the latest updates<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>You might see a lot of text scrolling, that\u2019s normal. Just wait until it finishes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" id=\"step4-install-node-js-24\"><strong>Step4) Install Node.js 24<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>OpenClaw runs on Node.js, so this step is required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-notice\">Command:<strong><em>curl -fsSL https:\/\/deb.nodesource.com\/setup_24.x | sudo -E bash -sudo apt install -y nodejsnode &#8211;versionnpm &#8211;version<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"752\" height=\"125\" src=\"https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/npm-Installed.png\" alt=\"npm Installed\" class=\"wp-image-1000109131\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/npm-Installed.png 752w, https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/npm-Installed-300x50.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 752px) 100vw, 752px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>What\u2019s happening:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-checked\">\n<li>First line \u2192 adds Node.js 24 repository<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Second line \u2192 installs Node.js<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Last two commands \u2192 check if installation worked<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you see versions printed, you\u2019re good to go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" id=\"step5-install-openclaw-globally\"><strong>Step5) Install OpenClaw Globally<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Now we install OpenClaw itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-notice\">Command:<strong><em>npm install -g openclaw@latestopenclaw &#8211;version<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"808\" height=\"123\" src=\"https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Install-openClaw.png\" alt=\"Install openClaw\" class=\"wp-image-1000109133\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Install-openClaw.png 808w, https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Install-openClaw-300x46.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 808px) 100vw, 808px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>What this does:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-checked\">\n<li>Downloads and installs OpenClaw<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>-g means \u201cglobal\u201d \u2192 you can run it from anywhere<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The second command checks if it is installed correctly. If you see a version number, installation is successful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" id=\"step6-run-openclaw-onboard-setup\"><strong>Step6) Run OpenClaw Onboard Setup<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This is where OpenClaw sets everything up for you automatically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-notice\">Command:<strong>openclaw onboard &#8211;install-daemon<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"57\" src=\"https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Install-Daemon.png\" alt=\"Install Daemon\" class=\"wp-image-1000109135\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Install-Daemon.png 819w, https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Install-Daemon-300x21.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>This will start an interactive setup (you\u2019ll see questions on screen).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>During setup, OpenClaw will:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-checked\">\n<li>Create a workspace folder<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Configure the Gateway (main service)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ask for your API keys<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Let you connect messaging platforms<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Install a daemon (auto-start service) What is it? It\u2019s a background service that runs automatically, even after reboot.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ll need:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-checked\">\n<li>Your LLM API key (OpenAI \/ Claude)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Your Telegram \/ Discord token<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Just follow the prompts carefully, it\u2019s like filling a form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" id=\"step7-start-the-openclaw-gateway\"><strong>Step7) Start the OpenClaw Gateway<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The Gateway is the \u201cbrain hub\u201d that keeps everything running.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-notice\">Command:<strong><em>openclaw gateway &#8211;port 18789 &#8211;verbose<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"804\" height=\"94\" src=\"https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/OpenClaw-Gateway.png\" alt=\"OpenClaw Gateway\" class=\"wp-image-1000109136\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/OpenClaw-Gateway.png 804w, https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/OpenClaw-Gateway-300x35.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 804px) 100vw, 804px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>What this does:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-checked\">\n<li>Starts the OpenClaw server<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Uses port 18789 (default)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Shows detailed logs (&#8211;verbose)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-note\"><strong>Please Note:<\/strong>Keep this terminal open if running manuallyIf you installed the daemon in Step 6, it may already run automatically<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When running correctly, you\u2019ll see logs updating in real time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" id=\"step8-connect-your-first-channel-telegram-example\"><strong>Step8) Connect Your First Channel (Telegram Example)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Now let\u2019s connect OpenClaw to a messaging app so you can actually use it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Telegram is the easiest option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If not done during onboarding, run:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-notice\">Command:<strong>openclaw channel pair &#8211;type telegram &#8211;token YOUR_BOT_TOKEN<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"118\" src=\"https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Connect-your-channel.png\" alt=\"Connect your channel\" class=\"wp-image-1000109137\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Connect-your-channel.png 800w, https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Connect-your-channel-300x44.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Replace YOUR_BOT_TOKEN with your actual token from @BotFather<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What happens next:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-checked\">\n<li>OpenClaw links to your Telegram bot<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It becomes ready to receive messages<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Test it now! Open Telegram &gt;&gt; Send a message to your bot &gt;&gt; You should get a reply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" id=\"step9-verify-everything-is-working\"><strong>Step9) Verify Everything Is Working<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, let\u2019s check if everything is set up correctly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-notice\">Command: openclaw doctor<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"753\" height=\"49\" src=\"https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Openclaw-doctor.png\" alt=\"Openclaw doctor\" class=\"wp-image-1000109138\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Openclaw-doctor.png 753w, https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Openclaw-doctor-300x20.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 753px) 100vw, 753px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>This command checks:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-checked\">\n<li>Node.js installation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Gateway status<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Connected channels<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Skills and configuration<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>What you want to see:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-checked\">\n<li>All checks marked OK \/ Green<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If something fails, it will tell you what\u2019s wrong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The final result is this!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"445\" src=\"https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/OpenClaw-1024x445.png\" alt=\"OpenClaw\" class=\"wp-image-1000109139\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/OpenClaw-1024x445.png 1024w, https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/OpenClaw-300x130.png 300w, https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/OpenClaw.png 1906w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019ve completed all steps successfully, your OpenClaw setup is now:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-checked\">\n<li>Running on your VPS<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Accessible anytime (24\/7)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Connected to your messaging platform<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ready to respond and automate tasks<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>At this point, you\u2019ve basically built your own self-hosted AI assistant, and it\u2019s always online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-box-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-box-heading\" id=\"installing-openclaw-on-windows-vps-step-by-step\">Installing OpenClaw on Windows VPS (Step-by-Step)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re more comfortable with Windows than Linux, this method will feel much easier. Instead of using SSH and terminal commands, you\u2019ll work inside a full Windows desktop using Remote Desktop (RDP). Just follow along step by step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" id=\"step-1-connect-to-your-vps-via-rdp\"><strong>Step 1: Connect to Your VPS via RDP<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>First, you need to access your Windows VPS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-notice\">On Windows: open Remote Desktop ConnectionOn Mac: use Microsoft Remote Desktop<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-checked\">\n<li>Enter your VPS IP address &gt;&gt; Click Connect<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Log in using your Administrator username and password<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>After logging in, you\u2019ll see a normal Windows desktop, just like your own computer, but running remotely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Important tip:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Enable clipboard sharing in RDP settings so you can copy-paste commands from this guide directly into your VPS. It makes things much easier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" id=\"step-2-install-node-js-24-for-windows\"><strong>Step 2: Install Node.js 24 for Windows<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Now you need to install Node.js, which OpenClaw depends on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-checked\">\n<li>Open a browser inside your VPS (Edge\/Chrome) &gt;&gt; Go to the official <a href=\"https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/how-to-host-an-html-website-for-free\/\">Node.js website<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Download the Node.js 24 LTS (64-bit Windows installer) &gt;&gt; Run the installer and keep all settings as default.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The installer automatically:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-checked\">\n<li>Adds Node.js to your system<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sets up npm (Node Package Manager)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>After installation &gt;&gt; Open PowerShell as Administrator<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Run the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-notice\">Command: <strong><em>node &#8211;versionnpm &#8211;version<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"747\" height=\"71\" src=\"https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/node-Version.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1000109140\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/node-Version.png 747w, https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/node-Version-300x29.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 747px) 100vw, 747px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>You should see:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-checked\">\n<li>Node version like v24.x.x<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>npm version number<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If both show up, Node.js is installed correctly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" id=\"step-3-install-openclaw-via-powershell\"><strong>Step 3: Install OpenClaw via PowerShell<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Now let\u2019s install OpenClaw.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Open PowerShell as Administrator<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-notice\">Command:<strong><em>npm install -g openclaw@latestopenclaw &#8211;version<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"814\" height=\"68\" src=\"https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/npm-install.png\" alt=\"npm install\" class=\"wp-image-1000109141\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/npm-install.png 814w, https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/npm-install-300x25.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 814px) 100vw, 814px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>What this does:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-checked\">\n<li>Downloads and installs OpenClaw globally<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Makes the openclaw command available system-wide<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you see a version number, installation is successful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" id=\"step-4-run-openclaw-onboard-setup\"><strong>Step 4: Run OpenClaw Onboard Setup<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Just like Linux, OpenClaw has an interactive setup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-notice\">Command:<strong><em>openclaw onboard &#8211;install-daemon<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"773\" height=\"74\" src=\"https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/onboard-install-daemon.png\" alt=\"onboard install daemon\" class=\"wp-image-1000109142\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/onboard-install-daemon.png 773w, https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/onboard-install-daemon-300x29.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 773px) 100vw, 773px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>What happens here:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-checked\">\n<li>OpenClaw sets up everything automatically<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Creates your workspace<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Configures the Gateway<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Connects messaging platforms<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Installs a Windows Service (instead of Linux systemd)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>During setup, you\u2019ll be asked for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-checked\">\n<li>Your LLM API key (OpenAI \/ Claude)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Your Telegram\/Discord bot token<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Just follow the prompts, it\u2019s straightforward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-info\"><strong>Tip: On Windows, the installer will automatically choose Windows Service for the daemon.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" id=\"step-5-install-openclaw-windows-companion-optional-but-recommended\"><strong>Step 5: Install OpenClaw Windows Companion (Optional but Recommended)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This step is optional, but very useful, especially if you don\u2019t like using PowerShell all the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Windows Companion App gives you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-checked\">\n<li>A System Tray icon (like apps near the clock)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Easy controls to start \/ stop \/ restart OpenClaw Gateway<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Integration with tools like PowerToys Command Palette<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>To install, Go to the OpenClaw Windows companion GitHub repo &gt;&gt; Download the latest release &gt;&gt; Run the installer<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Why this helps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead of typing commands every time, you can manage OpenClaw with simple clicks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" id=\"step-6-connect-channels-and-verify\"><strong>Step 6: Connect Channels &amp; Verify<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Now it\u2019s time to actually use OpenClaw.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Connect a messaging platform (Telegram recommended):<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-notice\">Command:<strong>openclaw channel pair &#8211;type telegram &#8211;token YOUR_BOT_TOKEN<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"802\" height=\"70\" src=\"https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/openclaw-channel-pair.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1000109143\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/openclaw-channel-pair.png 802w, https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/openclaw-channel-pair-300x26.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 802px) 100vw, 802px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Replace YOUR_BOT_TOKEN with your actual Telegram bot token.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>To test it, Open Telegram &gt;&gt; Send a message to your bot &gt;&gt; You should get a reply &gt;&gt; Now verify everything:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-notice\">Command:<strong>openclaw doctor<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This checks:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-checked\">\n<li>Gateway status<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Node.js installation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Connected channels<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Skills and setup<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>All checks should show OK \/ Green<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At this point, your OpenClaw setup on Windows VPS is fully ready. You\u2019ll have a fully working, always-on AI assistant running on your Windows VPS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-box-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-box-heading\" id=\"how-to-run-openclaw-gui-on-linux-vps\">How to Run OpenClaw GUI on Linux VPS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>By default, a Linux VPS doesn\u2019t have a graphical interface, it\u2019s command-line only. But if you want a GUI for easier management or visual tools, you can set one up using the methods below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-accent-bar\" class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-accent-bar\" id=\"option-1-use-x11-forwarding-lightweight-method\"><strong>Option 1: Use X11 Forwarding (Lightweight Method)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This lets you run GUI apps from your VPS and display them on your local computer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-arrow-circle\">\n<li>ssh -X root@YOUR_VPS_IP<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Then run any GUI-based app, and it will appear on your local screen.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-accent-bar\" class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-accent-bar\" id=\"option-2-install-lightweight-desktop-xfce\"><strong>Option 2: Install Lightweight Desktop (XFCE)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want a full desktop environment, XFCE is a good lightweight choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Install XFCE! Run the Codes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-arrow-circle\">\n<li><strong><em>sudo apt update<\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><em>sudo apt install xfce4 xfce4-goodies -y<\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>These codes install a full desktop interface &amp; keeps resource usage low, which is important for VPS<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After this, you\u2019ll need a way to access it (like VNC below).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-accent-bar\" class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-accent-bar\" id=\"option-3-use-vnc-server-full-remote-desktop\"><strong>Option 3: Use VNC Server (Full Remote Desktop)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>VNC lets you access your VPS like a remote desktop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Install VNC Server:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-arrow-circle\">\n<li><strong>sudo apt install tightvncserver -y<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Start VNC:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-arrow-circle\">\n<li><strong>vncserver<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Set a password when prompted and then connect using a VNC viewer (like RealVNC Viewer) from your local machine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-info\"><strong>Please Note: Uses more RAM, so a 2GB+ VPS is recommended<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-accent-bar\" class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-accent-bar\" id=\"option-4-use-wine-if-needed\"><strong>Option 4: Use Wine (If Needed)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want to run Windows-based tools alongside OpenClaw:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Command:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-arrow-circle\">\n<li><strong>sudo apt install wine -y<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Wine lets you run some Windows applications on Linux.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is optional and only needed for specific use cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-box-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-box-heading\" id=\"keeping-openclaw-running-24-7-on-your-vps\">Keeping OpenClaw Running 24\/7 on Your VPS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You don\u2019t need to keep a terminal open forever, OpenClaw is designed to run in the background as a service, so it can automatically start, restart, and stay online even after a reboot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-accent-bar\" class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-accent-bar\" id=\"option-1-systemd-daemon-recommended-for-linux\"><strong>Option 1: Systemd Daemon (Recommended for Linux)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you used openclaw onboard &#8211;install-daemon, this is already set up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What is systemd?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s Linux\u2019s built-in service manager that keeps applications running in the background automatically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Why is systemd useful?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is because it starts OpenClaw when your VPS boots. It even restarts OpenClaw if it crashes and there is no manual work needed after the setup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-info\"><strong>Commands to Manage OpenClaw<\/strong><br>Check status: systemctl status openclawStart manually: systemctl start openclawEnable auto-start on reboot (important): systemctl enable openclawView live logs: journalctl -u openclaw -f<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"283\" src=\"https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Check-status-1024x283.png\" alt=\"Check status\" class=\"wp-image-1000109144\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Check-status-1024x283.png 1024w, https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Check-status-300x83.png 300w, https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Check-status.png 1036w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>For most users, this is the best and simplest option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-accent-bar\" class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-accent-bar\" id=\"option-2-pm2-process-manager-alternative\"><strong>Option 2: PM2 Process Manager (Alternative)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>PM2 is a popular Node.js tool used to keep apps running.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Use this if you already use PM2 &amp; if you want more control over multiple Node apps<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Setup Commands<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-arrow-circle\">\n<li><strong>npm install -g pm2<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>pm2 start openclaw &#8212; gateway &#8211;port 18789<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>pm2 startup<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>pm2 save<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>pm2 status<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"132\" src=\"https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pm2-1024x132.png\" alt=\"pm2\" class=\"wp-image-1000109145\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pm2-1024x132.png 1024w, https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pm2-300x39.png 300w, https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pm2.png 1036w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>What are the benefits of these commands? The OpenClaw auto-restart on crash. You can easily monitor it and it is good for managing multiple services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re a beginner, you can skip this and stick with systemd.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-accent-bar\" class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-accent-bar\" id=\"option-3-windows-service-windows-vps\"><strong>Option 3: Windows Service (Windows VPS)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>On Windows, OpenClaw runs as a Windows Service automatically after onboarding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That means:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-arrow-circle\">\n<li>It runs in the background<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Starts automatically on reboot<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>No need to keep PowerShell open<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>PowerShell Commands<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-arrow-circle\">\n<li>Check status: Get-Service -Name OpenClaw<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-arrow-circle\">\n<li>Start service: Start-Service -Name OpenClaw<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-arrow-circle\">\n<li>Enable auto-start: Set-Service -Name OpenClaw -StartupType Automatic<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>You can also manage it visually from Services (services.msc).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-box-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-box-heading\" id=\"how-to-update-openclaw-on-your-vps\">How to Update OpenClaw on Your VPS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Keeping OpenClaw updated is important because new versions bring bug fixes, performance improvements and new features.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The update process is simple and only takes a few seconds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-notice\">Update Commands:<br>Update to the latest stable version (recommended):openclaw update &#8211;channel stable<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To Verify after updating, make sure to follow these commands:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-checked\">\n<li>openclaw &#8211;version<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>openclaw doctor<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>After running these, make sure:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-checked\">\n<li>The version number has changed (if a new update was available)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>openclaw doctor shows everything working correctly<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>OpenClaw provides three update channels depending on how stable or experimental you want your setup to be:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Channel<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Command<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Who Should Use It<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>stable<\/td><td>openclaw update &#8211;channel stable<\/td><td>Recommended for everyone, especially VPS and production setups<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>beta<\/td><td>openclaw update &#8211;channel beta<\/td><td>Early adopters who want to test new features before release<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>dev<\/td><td>openclaw update &#8211;channel dev<\/td><td>Developers contributing to OpenClaw or testing cutting-edge changes<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-box-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-box-heading\" id=\"common-errors-and-fixes\">Common Errors &amp; Fixes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Even with a proper setup, you might run into a few common issues. The table below helps you quickly identify the problem and fix it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Error<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Likely Cause<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Fix<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Gateway Not Starting<\/td><td>Port 18789 already in use<\/td><td>Run <strong>lsof -i :18789<\/strong> to find the process, then stop it or use a different port<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Channel Pairing Fails<\/td><td>Invalid or expired token<\/td><td>Regenerate your bot token (Telegram\/Discord) and run the pairing command again<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Node Version<\/td><td>Node.js version too old<\/td><td>Reinstall Node.js 24 using NodeSource (see installation steps)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Permission Denied<\/td><td>Running commands without proper permissions<\/td><td>Use sudo before commands or fix npm global permissions<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>openclaw: Command Not Found<\/td><td>npm global path not in PATH<\/td><td>Run export PATH=$PATH:$(npm bin -g) or reinstall Node.js<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>LLM API Errors<\/td><td>Missing or incorrect API key<\/td><td>Check API key in ~\/.openclaw\/config or re-run openclaw onboard<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Skills Not Loading<\/td><td>Incorrect SKILL.md format or folder structure<\/td><td>Ensure each skill has its own folder with a properly formatted SKILL.md<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>First Step for Any Error<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-notice\">Before troubleshooting manually, always run:<strong>openclaw doctor<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This command automatically checks your setup and highlights the most common issues along with suggested fixes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-box-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-box-heading\" id=\"security-best-practices-for-openclaw-on-vps\">Security Best Practices for OpenClaw on VPS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>OpenClaw is powerful, but that power comes with responsibility. It can access your messaging platforms, APIs, and potentially sensitive data depending on how you configure it. If your setup is exposed or misconfigured, it can become a security risk. So it\u2019s important to lock things down properly from the start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" id=\"firewall-configuration\"><strong>Firewall Configuration<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Your VPS should not be fully open to the internet. By default, you should block everything except what\u2019s absolutely needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Only expose port 18789 if required, and preferably restrict it to trusted IPs<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Never leave unnecessary ports open<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-notice\">Basic UFW setup (Ubuntu):sudo ufw enablesudo ufw default deny incomingsudo ufw allow sshsudo ufw allow from YOUR_HOME_IP to any port 18789sudo ufw status<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What this does:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-arrow-circle\">\n<li>Blocks all incoming traffic by default<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Allows SSH (so you don\u2019t lock yourself out)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Allows OpenClaw access only from your IP<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This is one of the most important steps to prevent unauthorized access.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you plan to access OpenClaw remotely (for example, via browser or dashboard), you should always protect it with a strong token.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-notice\">Command:<strong>export STUDIO_ACCESS_TOKEN=your-strong-secret-token<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Why this matters:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Without an access token, anyone who reaches your OpenClaw instance could potentially interact with it. A strong token acts like a password layer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" id=\"prompt-injection-awareness\"><strong>Prompt Injection Awareness<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>OpenClaw processes messages from external sources like Telegram or Discord. That means it can receive malicious or unexpected inputs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Best practices:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-arrow-circle\">\n<li>Only connect channels you fully control<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Avoid adding OpenClaw to public groups or unknown communities<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Be cautious about what commands or instructions it executes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Also, regularly review your installed skills:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Remove any skills you didn\u2019t install yourself<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Avoid using untrusted or unknown skill packages<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This reduces the risk of someone trying to manipulate your AI agent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" id=\"keep-openclaw-updated\"><strong>Keep OpenClaw Updated<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Security vulnerabilities can be fixed in updates, so staying up to date is important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-notice\">Command:<strong>openclaw update &#8211;channel stable<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Best practices:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-arrow-circle\">\n<li>Run updates regularly<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Stick to the stable channel for reliability<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Follow the OpenClaw GitHub releases page for important updates and security fixes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>A secure setup doesn\u2019t take much extra effort, but ignoring it can cause serious problems. If you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-arrow-circle\">\n<li>Restrict access with a firewall<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use strong tokens<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Avoid untrusted inputs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Keep everything updated<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>then your OpenClaw VPS will remain both powerful and safe to use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-box-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-box-heading\" id=\"pros-and-cons-of-running-openclaw-on-a-vps\">Pros &amp; Cons of Running OpenClaw on a VPS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Running OpenClaw on a VPS gives you a lot more flexibility and reliability compared to running it locally, but it\u2019s not completely hands-off. You get full control, better uptime, and more power, but in return, you\u2019re also responsible for setup, security, and maintenance.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s a clear breakdown so you know exactly what to expect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" id=\"pluspros\"><strong>+Pros<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-checked\">\n<li>Your AI assistant never goes offline, even if your personal device is turned off<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Our VPS acts as a secure layer between you and the internet<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Run multiple messaging channels simultaneously: Telegram, Discord, and more from one setup<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>OpenClaw starts automatically after reboot or crashes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Runs comfortably on a $3 to $5 per month VPS<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Open-source and self-hosted, no platform lock-in<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Manage everything remotely via SSH or RDP<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" id=\"cons\"><strong>-Cons<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-cancel\">\n<li>Requires a monthly VPS cost<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Initial setup requires some terminal\/CLI familiarity<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Security configuration is your responsibility<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>API key management adds complexity<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>A VPS setup is good if you want a powerful, always-on OpenClaw instance and don\u2019t mind handling a bit of technical setup and maintenance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-box-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-box-heading\" id=\"use-cases-of-openclaw-vps\">Use Cases of OpenClaw VPS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>OpenClaw on a VPS opens up a lot of practical, real-world use cases. Since it\u2019s always online and accessible from anywhere, it becomes more than just a tool, it turns into a reliable assistant that fits into your daily workflow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" id=\"personal-ai-assistant-always-on\"><strong>Personal AI Assistant: Always On<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When OpenClaw is hosted on a VPS, it\u2019s available 24\/7, so you can message it anytime through Telegram or WhatsApp and get instant responses. Be it setting reminders, answering quick questions, or automating small daily tasks, it works even when your laptop is turned off. This makes it feel like a real always-on assistant rather than just a local tool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" id=\"freelancer-and-small-business-automation\"><strong>Freelancer &amp; Small Business Automation<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re a freelancer or running a small business, OpenClaw can handle repetitive tasks like lead research, replying to common queries, or updating simple records. Instead of manually doing the same work every day, you can automate these workflows using skills and messaging commands. This frees up your time so you can focus more on client work and growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" id=\"developer-workflow-automation\"><strong>Developer Workflow Automation<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Developers can use OpenClaw as a command center directly from chat. You can connect it to tools like GitHub, trigger deployments, review code snippets, or query databases without switching between multiple dashboards. It simplifies your workflow by bringing everything into one conversational interface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" id=\"multi-channel-bot-management\"><strong>Multi-Channel Bot Management<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead of managing separate bots for Telegram, Discord, and WhatsApp, OpenClaw lets you handle all of them from a single VPS instance. You set it up once, and it responds across multiple platforms simultaneously. This is especially useful if you\u2019re managing different communities or audiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-centered-heading\" id=\"team-ai-agent-small-teams\"><strong>Team AI Agent (Small Teams)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>For small teams, OpenClaw can act as a shared AI assistant accessible through Slack or Discord. Team members can ask questions, automate internal tasks, or retrieve information without needing separate tools. It becomes a central assistant that helps everyone stay more productive and organized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-box-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-box-heading\" id=\"faqs\">FAQs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"acf-accordion-block_bc056e15dbbf27307d6a85b49b522ea9\" class=\"acf-accordion\">\n                <details class=\"acf-accordion-item\" open>\n                <summary class=\"acf-accordion-title\">\n                    Is OpenClaw free to use?                <\/summary>\n                <div class=\"acf-accordion-content\">\n                    <p>Yes, OpenClaw itself is completely free and open-source under the MIT license. You can install and run it on your own VPS without paying anything for the software. However, you will still have costs for your VPS and any LLM API usage (like OpenAI or Claude), which are billed separately.<\/p>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/details>\n                        <details class=\"acf-accordion-item\">\n                <summary class=\"acf-accordion-title\">\n                     Can I run OpenClaw on a low-end VPS ($3\u20134\/mo)?                <\/summary>\n                <div class=\"acf-accordion-content\">\n                    <p>Yes, OpenClaw is lightweight and works well on a basic VPS with 1GB RAM for simple use cases like a single Telegram bot. If you plan to run multiple channels or heavier automation, upgrading to 2GB RAM is a better choice for smoother performance.<\/p>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/details>\n                        <details class=\"acf-accordion-item\">\n                <summary class=\"acf-accordion-title\">\n                    Which messaging platforms does OpenClaw support?                <\/summary>\n                <div class=\"acf-accordion-content\">\n                    <p>OpenClaw supports a wide range of messaging platforms including Telegram, Discord, WhatsApp, Slack, Signal, and more. This allows you to interact with your AI assistant from platforms you already use daily, without needing a separate interface.<\/p>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/details>\n                        <details class=\"acf-accordion-item\">\n                <summary class=\"acf-accordion-title\">\n                    Do I need a GPU VPS for OpenClaw?                <\/summary>\n                <div class=\"acf-accordion-content\">\n                    <p>No, you don\u2019t need a GPU. OpenClaw does not run AI models locally, it connects to external APIs like OpenAI, Claude, or DeepSeek. That means even a basic CPU-based VPS is enough to run it efficiently.<\/p>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/details>\n                        <details class=\"acf-accordion-item\">\n                <summary class=\"acf-accordion-title\">\n                    How do I fix OpenClaw not launching?                <\/summary>\n                <div class=\"acf-accordion-content\">\n                    <p>Start by running:<\/p>\n<p>openclaw doctor<\/p>\n<p>This will automatically check your setup and point out common issues. Also verify that Node.js is installed correctly, the Gateway service is running, and port 18789 is not being used by another process.<\/p>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/details>\n                        <details class=\"acf-accordion-item\">\n                <summary class=\"acf-accordion-title\">\n                    Can I run multiple OpenClaw instances on one VPS?                <\/summary>\n                <div class=\"acf-accordion-content\">\n                    <p>Yes, but it requires careful configuration. You\u2019ll need to run each instance on a different port and possibly separate environments. For beginners, it\u2019s recommended to start with a single instance and expand later if needed.<\/p>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/details>\n                        <details class=\"acf-accordion-item\">\n                <summary class=\"acf-accordion-title\">\n                     How do I update OpenClaw on my VPS?                <\/summary>\n                <div class=\"acf-accordion-content\">\n                    <p>You can update OpenClaw using:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>openclaw update &#8211;channel stable<\/li>\n<li>Or via npm:<\/li>\n<li>npm install -g openclaw@latest<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>After updating, always verify with:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>openclaw &#8211;version<\/li>\n<li>openclaw doctor<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/details>\n            <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-box-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-box-heading\" id=\"conclusion\">Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>By now, you\u2019ve gone through the complete process of installing OpenClaw on both Linux and Windows VPS, setting it up for 24\/7 uptime, securing your instance, and handling common issues. The biggest takeaway is simple: with a small investment of under $5\/month, you can run a fully self-hosted, always-on AI assistant that\u2019s accessible from your favorite messaging apps anytime, anywhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re just getting started, keep it simple, launch an Ubuntu 22.04 VPS, install Node.js 24, and run the openclaw onboard command. You can have everything up and running in under 30 minutes. For beginners, providers like YouStable or Vultr are solid starting points with affordable plans and easy setup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From here, the real value comes from exploring OpenClaw\u2019s skills system and customizing it for your workflows. Check out the official GitHub repository to discover new capabilities and expand what your AI assistant can do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you\u2019ve been running OpenClaw on your own laptop, you\u2019ve probably noticed the biggest limitation pretty quickly. Everything works great\u2026&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":73,"featured_media":1000109081,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[10469,10470],"class_list":["post-1000109058","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blogging","tag-how-to-install-openclaw-on-vps-server","tag-openclaw-on-vps-server"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1000109058","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/73"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1000109058"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1000109058\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1000109147,"href":"https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1000109058\/revisions\/1000109147"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1000109081"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1000109058"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1000109058"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/googiehost.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1000109058"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}