Installing OpenClaw on a VPS comes down to four things: a server with enough memory, a Node.js version that is up to it, a user of its own, and the install procedure from the official documentation. This article covers everything except the install command itself, on purpose: the command and the current versions change, and only the project’s official documentation keeps them right.
OpenClaw is third-party software. Installing and maintaining it is up to you, as with any unmanaged VPS (see how far our support goes). What we do is hand you the server.
Step by step
| 1 |
Pick a server that is big enough. The documentation gives 2 vCPU and 4 GB of RAM as a starting point for testing. A 1 GB VPS fails during installation for lack of memory. Our plan specifications are on the VPS and Cloud pages.
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| 3 |
Log in over SSH and create a user of its own. Use root only to prepare the machine. Create a normal user to run OpenClaw (on Ubuntu the command is adduser). The first steps are in first steps with your VPS.
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| 4 |
Check the Node.js version. Run node --version. The documentation asks for 22.14 at minimum and recommends 24. Many VPS images ship 18 or 20, and then you have to upgrade. The project’s install procedure may handle this for you: confirm it in the documentation.
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Follow the official install procedure. Open the OpenClaw documentation, copy the command and options for the current version from there, and run them as the user you created. Do not use commands from a forum or an old video.
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When the installation fails
| Symptom |
Likely cause |
What to do |
| The install dies halfway with no clear error |
Out of memory |
Check free -h. On a 1 GB VPS, move to a bigger plan or at the very least add swap and try again. |
| An error saying the Node version is too old |
The image shipped Node 18 or 20 |
Upgrade Node to the version the documentation asks for and repeat. |
| The download fails |
No internet access, or the server’s DNS |
Test with ping and curl to a well-known address. See common VPS and Cloud errors. |
| Works in SSH, stops when you close the session |
The process is tied to the terminal |
Run it as a service, the way the documentation describes. The general idea is in keeping a Node.js app running. |
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Do not install as permanent root just because it is easier. OpenClaw runs commands and reads files: as root, a mistake of its own becomes a mistake of the whole machine. Read OpenClaw security.
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Before installing, take a snapshot or save the files of the server. If something goes wrong you are back in minutes. See backing up a VPS.
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A problem with the server itself (access, network, system)? Open a ticket and we will tell you what we see on our side.
Open a support ticket
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In our plans
On our side, the plan has to give you at least 2 vCPU and 4 GB of RAM for a test. VPS1 and Cloud1 (2 GB of RAM) are below that, so pick a step above them; every step is listed on the VPS and Cloud pages, up to 32 vCPU and 64 GB. The operating systems on offer are shown when you order, so choose there; Ubuntu is the one the article suggests. Once you are logged in over SSH, you can see what the server runs with cat /etc/os-release, which tells you whether it is Ubuntu 22.04 LTS or another version before you install anything. If the image is not the one you want, the article on reinstalling or changing the system of your VPS explains the way.
RECOMMENDED PRODUCT VPS server with root access Resources of your own, the OS you choose, reinstall whenever you like. from 504,00 MT/mo (3-year plan, with coupon) See plans |
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