--- title: "Guide to an OpenClaw One Click Install and DIY Setup" description: "Compare an OpenClaw one click install with local Docker and VPS setup: system requirements, the exact commands, and fixes for the errors that stop installs." url: "https://clawoneclick.com/blog/how-to-install-openclaw" --- ### TL;DR, Quick Answer 4 min read Install OpenClaw locally with Docker in 5 minutes or skip installation entirely with clawoneclick.com (1-click, under 60 seconds). System requirements: 2 GB RAM, Docker 24+, Node 20+. This guide covers local install, VPS install, and managed deploy. You can set up OpenClaw three ways: locally with Docker, on your own VPS, or with an OpenClaw one click install that skips configuration entirely. OpenClaw is an open-source AI assistant that connects large language models to messaging channels like Telegram, WhatsApp, and Discord, and this guide walks through every path in 2026. This complete OpenClaw installation guide walks you through three methods: local Docker install, VPS install, and managed 1-click deploy via [clawoneclick.com](https://clawoneclick.com/). **Key takeaway:** Local Docker install takes 5 minutes. Managed deploy via [clawoneclick.com](https://clawoneclick.com/) takes under 60 seconds with zero configuration. **Jump:** [Requirements](#system-requirements) | [Local Install](#install-openclaw-locally-with-docker) | [VPS Install](#install-openclaw-on-a-vps) | [1-Click Deploy](#skip-installation-1-click-deploy-with-clawoneclick) | [FAQ](#frequently-asked-questions). ## [System Requirements](#system-requirements) Before installing OpenClaw, check that your system meets these minimum requirements. | Requirement | Minimum | Recommended | | ----------- | ---------------------------- | ------------- | | RAM | 2 GB | 4 GB+ | | Storage | 5 GB free | 10 GB+ | | OS | Linux, macOS, Windows (WSL2) | Ubuntu 22.04+ | | Docker | 24.0+ | Latest | | Node.js | 20+ | 22 LTS | | CPU | 2 cores | 4 cores | **Note:** If you use [clawoneclick.com](https://clawoneclick.com/), no local system requirements apply - everything runs on managed infrastructure. ## [Install OpenClaw Locally with Docker](#install-openclaw-locally-with-docker) The recommended way to install OpenClaw on your own machine is with Docker Compose. This method works on Linux, macOS, and Windows (WSL2). ### [Step 1: Install Docker](#step-1-install-docker) Make sure Docker and Docker Compose are installed on your system. ```bash # Ubuntu/Debian sudo apt update && sudo apt install docker.io docker-compose-v2 -y sudo systemctl enable docker && sudo systemctl start docker ``` ```bash # macOS (with Homebrew) brew install --cask docker # Then launch Docker Desktop ``` ### [Step 2: Clone the OpenClaw Repository](#step-2-clone-the-openclaw-repository) ```bash git clone https://github.com/open-claw/openclaw.git cd openclaw ``` ### [Step 3: Configure Environment Variables](#step-3-configure-environment-variables) Copy the example environment file and edit it with your settings. ```bash cp .env.example .env ``` Key variables to set: | Variable | Description | Default | | -------------------- | ------------------------------------------ | ------- | | AI\_MODEL | LLM provider (grok, claude, openai, local) | grok | | TELEGRAM\_BOT\_TOKEN | Your Telegram bot token | (empty) | | WHATSAPP\_ENABLED | Enable WhatsApp channel | false | | DISCORD\_TOKEN | Your Discord bot token | (empty) | | PORT | Gateway port | 3000 | ### [Step 4: Start OpenClaw](#step-4-start-openclaw) ```bash docker compose up -d ``` OpenClaw starts in the background. Check logs with: ```bash docker compose logs -f ``` ### [Step 5: Verify the Installation](#step-5-verify-the-installation) Open your browser and navigate to `http://localhost:3000`. You should see the OpenClaw dashboard. Connect a messaging channel and send "Hi Claw" to test. **Total time:** Approximately 5 minutes for a fresh Docker install. ## [Install OpenClaw on a VPS](#install-openclaw-on-a-vps) For 24/7 uptime without running a local machine, install OpenClaw on a VPS. Budget VPS providers like Hostinger ($3/mo) and Contabo ($5/mo) work well. ### [Step 1: Provision a VPS](#step-1-provision-a-vps) Choose a VPS with at least 2 GB RAM. Ubuntu 22.04+ is recommended. ![ClawOneClick](https://clawoneclick.com/_next/static/media/logo_small.3slkced_6llg9.png-d7c71789-5688-4a5c-8725-900f9c2d2e8f) ##### ClawOneClick – Deploy your AI assistant in minutes [Get Started FREE](https://clawoneclick.com/) Any AI model 4+ channels Custom skills ### [Step 2: SSH Into Your Server](#step-2-ssh-into-your-server) ```bash ssh root@your-server-ip ``` ### [Step 3: Install Docker on the VPS](#step-3-install-docker-on-the-vps) ```bash curl -fsSL https://get.docker.com | sh sudo usermod -aG docker $USER ``` ### [Step 4: Clone and Configure](#step-4-clone-and-configure) ```bash git clone https://github.com/open-claw/openclaw.git cd openclaw cp .env.example .env nano .env # Set your API keys and channel tokens ``` ### [Step 5: Deploy with Docker Compose](#step-5-deploy-with-docker-compose) ```bash docker compose up -d ``` ### [Step 6: Set Up a Reverse Proxy (Optional)](#step-6-set-up-a-reverse-proxy-optional) For HTTPS and a custom domain, configure Nginx or Caddy as a reverse proxy. ```bash sudo apt install caddy -y ``` Your OpenClaw instance is now running 24/7 on your VPS. **Total time:** 15-30 minutes depending on VPS provider setup. ## [Skip Installation: 1-Click Deploy with ClawOneClick](#skip-installation-1-click-deploy-with-clawoneclick) The fastest way to get OpenClaw running is to skip local installation entirely. [clawoneclick.com](https://clawoneclick.com/) provides managed OpenClaw hosting with 1-click deploy. 1. **Visit [clawoneclick.com](https://clawoneclick.com/) (10s):** Click "Deploy Now". 2. **Connect a channel (20s):** Scan QR for Telegram or click the WhatsApp link. 3. **Auto-configuration (20s):** Workspace, gateway, and skills load automatically. 4. **Start chatting (10s):** Send "Hi Claw" and your assistant is live. **No Docker. No SSH. No API keys.** Everything is managed for you. | Comparison | Local Install | VPS Install | ClawOneClick | | ----------- | ------------------ | ----------- | ---------------- | | Setup Time | 5 min | 15-30 min | <1 min | | Maintenance | Manual | Manual | Automatic | | Cost | $0 (your hardware) | $3-15/mo | $39/mo | | Uptime | When PC is on | 24/7 | 24/7 (99.9% SLA) | | Best For | Developers | DevOps | Everyone | ## [Post-Installation: First Steps](#post-installation-first-steps) After installing OpenClaw, follow these steps to get the most out of your assistant. ### [Connect Messaging Channels](#connect-messaging-channels) * **Telegram:** Create a bot via BotFather, add the token to your config * **WhatsApp:** Scan the QR code in the OpenClaw dashboard * **Discord:** Create a bot in the Discord Developer Portal, add the token ### [Install Skills](#install-skills) OpenClaw comes with 50+ bundled skills, plus access to the full **ClawHub skills list 2026** with 3,286+ community skills. Install the **ClawHub top skills** from the dashboard or config file: * Weather and calendar * SEO analysis and content generation * Code review and debugging * File management and browser automation Browse the **clawhub.ai popular skills** or check the **OpenClaw popular skills 2026** rankings to find the **ClawHub best skills** for your workflow. ### [Choose Your AI Model](#choose-your-ai-model) OpenClaw is model-agnostic. Switch between providers in your config: * **Grok** (default) - Fast and capable * **Claude** \- Strong reasoning and analysis * **OpenAI** \- GPT models * **Local models** \- Llama, Mistral via Ollama ## [Troubleshooting Common Install Issues](#troubleshooting-common-install-issues) ### [Docker permission denied](#docker-permission-denied) ```bash sudo usermod -aG docker $USER # Log out and back in, then retry ``` ### [Port already in use](#port-already-in-use) ```bash # Change the PORT variable in .env PORT=3001 docker compose up -d ``` ### [Container fails to start](#container-fails-to-start) ```bash docker compose logs # Check for missing environment variables or insufficient RAM ``` ### [Cannot connect messaging channels](#cannot-connect-messaging-channels) Verify your bot tokens are correct and that your firewall allows outbound HTTPS traffic on port 443. ## [Frequently Asked Questions](#frequently-asked-questions) ### [How to install OpenClaw on Ubuntu?](#how-to-install-openclaw-on-ubuntu) Install Docker (`sudo apt install docker.io docker-compose-v2`), clone the OpenClaw repo, copy `.env.example` to `.env`, configure your settings, and run `docker compose up -d`. The full process takes about 5 minutes. ### [What are the minimum requirements for OpenClaw?](#what-are-the-minimum-requirements-for-openclaw) OpenClaw requires 2 GB RAM minimum (4 GB recommended), Docker 24+, and Node.js 20+. It runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows (WSL2). For managed hosting, no local requirements apply. ### [Can I install OpenClaw without Docker?](#can-i-install-openclaw-without-docker) Yes, OpenClaw can run directly with Node.js, but Docker is the recommended and supported installation method. Docker handles all dependencies and makes updates simpler. ### [How to update OpenClaw after installation?](#how-to-update-openclaw-after-installation) Pull the latest changes and restart: `git pull && docker compose down && docker compose up -d`. On ClawOneClick, updates are applied automatically. ### [Is there a way to install OpenClaw without technical knowledge?](#is-there-a-way-to-install-openclaw-without-technical-knowledge) Yes. [clawoneclick.com](https://clawoneclick.com/) provides 1-click managed deployment with no technical setup required. No Docker, SSH, or API configuration needed. ![ClawOneClick](https://clawoneclick.com/_next/static/media/logo_small.3slkced_6llg9.png-d7c71789-5688-4a5c-8725-900f9c2d2e8f) ##### ClawOneClick – Deploy your AI assistant in minutes [Get Started FREE](https://clawoneclick.com/) Any AI model 4+ channels Custom skills ## [Conclusion](#conclusion) Installing OpenClaw gives you a private, model-agnostic AI assistant connected to your favorite messaging channels. Choose local Docker install for full control (5 minutes), VPS install for 24/7 uptime (15-30 minutes), or skip installation entirely with [clawoneclick.com](https://clawoneclick.com/) (under 60 seconds). After installation, explore the **ClawHub popular skills** and the **OpenClaw ClawHub best skills 2026** to extend your agent's capabilities. **[Deploy your assistant now](https://clawoneclick.com/)**: join 10K+ users. _Sources: GitHub OpenClaw, Docker documentation, Hostinger, ClawOneClick (2026)._ [#openclaw](https://clawoneclick.com/blog?tag=openclaw)[#installation](https://clawoneclick.com/blog?tag=installation)[#setup-guide](https://clawoneclick.com/blog?tag=setup-guide)[#docker](https://clawoneclick.com/blog?tag=docker)[#self-hosting](https://clawoneclick.com/blog?tag=self-hosting)[#getting-started](https://clawoneclick.com/blog?tag=getting-started) ### Was This Article Helpful? Let us know what you think! ## Before you go... ![ClawOneClick](https://clawoneclick.com/_next/static/media/logo_small.3slkced_6llg9.png-d7c71789-5688-4a5c-8725-900f9c2d2e8f) ### ClawOneClick #### Deploy your AI assistant in minutes Choose your model, connect your channel, and go live with ClawOneClick. [Get Started FREE](https://clawoneclick.com/) Any AI model 4+ channels Custom skills ## Related Articles [TutorialsGet a Live Assistant With OpenClaw One Click DeployAn OpenClaw one click deploy through ClawOneClick puts a live AI assistant on Telegram, WhatsApp or Discord in under a minute, no servers, no API keys.Feb 17, 2026•1 min read](https://clawoneclick.com/blog/deploy-ai-assistant-guide)[TutorialsHow to Post to 9 Social Media Platforms Directly From Your Messenger With AdaptlyPost SkillThe AdaptlyPost social media skill lets OpenClaw post to Instagram, LinkedIn, X, TikTok and five more from WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord or Slack in one message.Mar 3, 2026•3 min read](https://clawoneclick.com/blog/adaptlypost-social-media-skill)[TutorialsBuild an OpenClaw SEO Agent in Five MinutesWire up an OpenClaw SEO agent with Brave Search and the SEO Content Writer pack, then run three prompts that research a keyword, draft it and push to Notion.Feb 21, 2026•2 min read](https://clawoneclick.com/blog/build-automated-seo-agent-openclaw)