Cloud Deployment Guide: Run OpenClaw 24/7

Choosing a Deployment Platform

OpenClaw can run on any Linux server with Node.js 22+. The best option depends on your location, budget, and technical expertise. Here's a quick comparison:

🌊DigitalOcean (Recommended for Beginners)

DigitalOcean offers the simplest deployment path with their one-click app marketplace and straightforward pricing.

# 1. Create a Droplet (2GB RAM, Ubuntu 24.04)
# Choose the $12/mo droplet for best performance

# 2. SSH into your server
ssh root@your-server-ip

# 3. Install Node.js 22
curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_22.x | sudo -E bash -
sudo apt-get install -y nodejs

# 4. Install OpenClaw
npm install -g openclaw@latest

# 5. Run onboarding
openclaw onboard --install-daemon

# 6. Enable firewall
sudo ufw allow 22/tcp
sudo ufw deny 18789/tcp
sudo ufw enable

🐳Docker Deployment (Any Platform)

Docker provides the most portable and isolated deployment option. Works on any cloud provider, NAS, or home server.

# Pull the official image
docker pull openclaw/openclaw:latest

# Run with persistent config
docker run -d \
  --name openclaw \
  --restart unless-stopped \
  -p 127.0.0.1:18789:18789 \
  -v openclaw-data:/root/.openclaw \
  --cap-drop ALL \
  --cap-add NET_BIND_SERVICE \
  --security-opt no-new-privileges:true \
  openclaw/openclaw:latest

# Check logs
docker logs -f openclaw

# Run onboarding inside container
docker exec -it openclaw openclaw onboard

☁️Tencent Cloud (China Users)

For users in mainland China, Tencent Cloud offers low-latency servers with good domestic network connectivity.

# 1. Purchase a Lighthouse instance
# Recommended: 2 core / 4GB / Ubuntu 24.04
# Region: Shanghai or Guangzhou

# 2. Configure security group
# Allow: 22 (SSH)
# Deny: 18789 from public

# 3. SSH and install
ssh ubuntu@your-tencent-ip
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_22.x | sudo -E bash -
sudo apt-get install -y nodejs

# 4. Install and configure OpenClaw
npm install -g openclaw@latest
openclaw onboard --install-daemon

# 5. (Optional) Use Tailscale for secure remote access
curl -fsSL https://tailscale.com/install.sh | sh
sudo tailscale up

🏢Alibaba Cloud (China Enterprise)

Alibaba Cloud ECS provides enterprise-grade infrastructure with strong compliance features for business deployments in China.

# 1. Create an ECS instance
# Recommended: ecs.s6-c1m2.large (2 vCPU / 4GB)
# OS: Ubuntu 24.04 LTS

# 2. Configure security group
# Inbound: Allow SSH (22)
# Inbound: Deny 18789 from 0.0.0.0/0

# 3. Install via Docker (recommended)
sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y docker.io
sudo systemctl enable docker
sudo docker pull openclaw/openclaw:latest
sudo docker run -d --name openclaw \
  --restart unless-stopped \
  -p 127.0.0.1:18789:18789 \
  -v openclaw-data:/root/.openclaw \
  openclaw/openclaw:latest

🔒Secure Remote Access with Tailscale

Never expose OpenClaw's admin port to the public internet. Use Tailscale for secure, zero-config remote access to your deployment.

# Install Tailscale on your server
curl -fsSL https://tailscale.com/install.sh | sh
sudo tailscale up

# Now access your OpenClaw dashboard securely:
# http://your-tailscale-ip:18789/

# Or use Tailscale Serve for HTTPS:
tailscale serve https /  http://localhost:18789

📊Post-Deployment Monitoring

After deploying, set up monitoring to ensure your OpenClaw instance stays healthy.

# Check OpenClaw status
openclaw status

# View logs
openclaw logs --tail 50

# Set up a simple health check cron
# (OpenClaw can even monitor itself!)
openclaw cron add "*/5 * * * *" "Check if gateway is responsive"

# Monitor system resources
htop  # or: docker stats openclaw