🚀 Deployment Guide

Deploy OpenClaw

Take OpenClaw to production. Four deployment paths — pick the one that fits your budget and skill level.

Choose Your Deployment

🍎

Mac Mini Cloud

Best native experience

Full macOS environment with native OpenClaw support. Recommended for most users.

10 min

Setup

$21/mo

Cost

Easy

Level

✓ Pros

Native macOS features
Best stability
SSH + VNC access
No Docker needed

⚠ Cons

Mac-specific
Fixed specs

View Guide ↓

🐧

Linux VPS

Most affordable

Deploy on any Linux VPS. More setup required but very cost-effective.

20 min

Setup

$5/mo

Cost

Medium

Level

✓ Pros

Cheapest option
Full control
Many providers
Scalable

⚠ Cons

More setup
Some features limited

View Guide ↓

🐳

Docker

Best portability

Containerized deployment. Run anywhere Docker runs.

15 min

Setup

Varies

Cost

Medium

Level

✓ Pros

Portable
Consistent
Easy updates
Works anywhere

⚠ Cons

Needs Docker knowledge
Extra layer

View Guide ↓

✨

Managed Hosting

Zero maintenance

One-click deployment services handle everything. Pay more, do less.

2 min

Setup

$29/mo

Cost

Easiest

Level

✓ Pros

Zero config
Auto updates
Support included
Instant setup

⚠ Cons

Higher cost
Less control

View Guide ↓

🍎

Deploy to Mac Mini Cloud

Recommended — Native macOS, best stability

Recommended

Step 1: Get a Mac Mini

We recommend HostMyApple — starting at $24.99/mo (or $21.24/mo with code OPENCLAW15).

Get HostMyApple — 15% Off →

Step 2: SSH In and Install

# SSH into your Mac Mini
ssh user@your-mac-mini-ip

# Install OpenClaw
curl -fsSL https://get.openclaw.ai | bash

# Run setup
openclaw setup

Step 3: Enable Auto-Start

# Install as a service (starts on boot)
openclaw service install

# Start now
openclaw start

Done! Your OpenClaw is now deployed and will run 24/7 on your Mac Mini.

🐧

Deploy to Linux VPS

Budget-friendly — works on any Linux server

Requirements

Ubuntu 22.04+ or Debian 12+
2GB RAM minimum (4GB recommended)
Node.js 20+

Installation

# Update system
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

# Install Node.js 20
curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_20.x | sudo -E bash -
sudo apt install -y nodejs

# Install OpenClaw
npm install -g openclaw

# Run setup
openclaw setup

Run with systemd

# Create service file
sudo tee /etc/systemd/system/openclaw.service << 'EOF'
[Unit]
Description=OpenClaw AI Assistant
After=network.target

[Service]
Type=simple
User=your-user
WorkingDirectory=/home/your-user/openclaw
ExecStart=/usr/bin/openclaw start
Restart=always

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target
EOF

# Enable and start
sudo systemctl enable openclaw
sudo systemctl start openclaw

Tip: Hetzner ($4.50/mo) and Contabo ($5/mo) are great budget options.

🐳

Deploy with Docker

Portable — run anywhere Docker runs

Quick Start

# Pull the image
docker pull openclaw/openclaw:latest

# Run with your config
docker run -d \
  --name openclaw \
  -v ~/.openclaw:/root/.openclaw \
  -e ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=your-key \
  --restart unless-stopped \
  openclaw/openclaw:latest

Docker Compose

# docker-compose.yml
version: '3.8'
services:
  openclaw:
    image: openclaw/openclaw:latest
    container_name: openclaw
    restart: unless-stopped
    volumes:
      - ./config:/root/.openclaw
      - ./workspace:/root/workspace
    environment:
      - ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=${ANTHROPIC_API_KEY}
    ports:
      - "3000:3000"  # Web UI (optional)

# Start it
docker-compose up -d

✨

Managed Hosting Services

Zero setup — they handle everything

If you don't want to manage servers, these services deploy OpenClaw for you:

SimpleClaw

After Deployment

📱 Connect Telegram

Chat with your deployed OpenClaw from anywhere.

🕐 24/7 Reliability

Monitoring, auto-restart, and uptime best practices.

Ready to Deploy?

Get a Mac Mini in the cloud for the best OpenClaw experience. Use code OPENCLAW15 for 15% off.

Deploy to Mac Mini — 15% Off ← Setup Guide First