How to Deploy OpenClaw on Hostinger VPS (Step-by-Step Guide)

Sign up for Hostinger VPS: Visit Hostinger and look for the OpenClaw one-click template. Select your plan period — 12 or 24 months recommended for best pricing. Add daily auto-backups (important since OpenClaw can modify its own environment). Keep the default server location for lowest latency.

Complete payment and access configuration: After checkout, you'll land on the OpenClaw configuration page. The first field is your Gateway Token — this is your password to access OpenClaw's web interface. Click the info icon, copy this token, and save it in a password manager. You'll need it later.

Get your LLM API key: OpenClaw needs an AI provider to work. Go to platform.anthropic.com (for Claude), create an account, and buy at least $5 in credits. Click 'Create API Key', name it 'OpenClaw', and copy the key. For other providers like OpenAI or Google, the process is similar.

Paste your API key: Return to Hostinger's configuration page and paste your API key in the Anthropic field (or whichever provider you're using). You can add multiple LLMs if you want fallback options. Scroll down and click Deploy.

Wait for deployment: After clicking Deploy, you'll land in Hostinger's H-Panel. Skip the optional survey. In the Docker Manager, you'll see an indicator that your project is being deployed. This takes 2-5 minutes. Wait until you see a green checkmark and 'Running' status.

Access your OpenClaw dashboard: Click the purple link in the bottom left of your H-Panel. Paste your Gateway Token that you saved earlier and click Log In. You're now in the OpenClaw Gateway dashboard.

Configure your AI's identity: On the Chat page, say hello to your assistant. It will ask who it is and who you are. Give it a name (like 'Tony') and tell it your name. Answer the setup questions about your preferences, tone (casual vs professional), time zone, and emoji.

Connect Telegram: Tell your assistant 'Let's set up Telegram'. It will provide instructions. Open Telegram, search for @BotFather, and start a conversation. Type /newbot, give your bot a display name (like 'Terrific Tony'), then a unique username ending in 'bot'.

Copy the Telegram API token: BotFather will give you an API token. Copy it, return to OpenClaw chat, and paste it in. Your assistant will configure the connection. Return to Telegram, click your bot's link, press Start, and copy the pairing code shown.

Approve the pairing: In OpenClaw, say 'approve bot pairing' and paste the pairing code. You'll get a success message. Now you can message your OpenClaw assistant directly in Telegram — on desktop or mobile.

Handle rate limits: If you get blank responses, you've hit your LLM's rate limit. Solutions: wait 1-2 minutes, start a new session, or add $40 to your Claude account to unlock Tier 2 limits (450K input tokens/minute vs 30K).

Install skills: Ask 'What skills can we add?' to see available plugins like calendar, email, and smart home integrations. Say 'Install GOG Google Workspace Skill' (or any skill) and follow the instructions your assistant provides.

Backup and restore: Your VPS has automatic daily backups. If something breaks, go to H-Panel → VPS Manager → Backups and Monitoring → Snapshots and Backups. Choose a previous version to restore.

Start fresh if needed: To completely reset, go to Docker Manager → Projects, click the three dots next to OpenClaw, and delete. Then go to Catalogue, search OpenClaw, and redeploy from scratch.