What is OpenClaw?
OpenClaw is a self-hosted gateway that connects your favorite chat apps to AI agents. Send a message from WhatsApp, Telegram, or Discord — get an intelligent response from your own always-available assistant.
Multi-channel
WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, iMessage and more
Self-hosted
Your data stays on your server
Plugin system
Extend with custom skills and tools
Open source
Fully transparent, community-driven
Get a Server
You need a Linux server to run OpenClaw 24/7. A VPS (Virtual Private Server) is the most affordable and flexible option.
RackNerd
Budget-friendly KVM VPS with global datacenter coverage
- Starting from ~$24/year for recommended plan
- KVM virtualization with full root access
- Multiple datacenters (LA, NY, Dallas, Chicago, etc.)
Install Coolify
Coolify is a self-hosted PaaS that handles Docker, SSL, domains, and deployments through a clean web UI. One command to install:
curl -fsSL https://cdn.coollabs.io/coolify/install.sh | sudo bashAfter installation, open the Coolify dashboard and create your admin account. For more details, visit coolify.io
Deploy OpenClaw
Coolify has a built-in OpenClaw service template — no manual Docker Compose needed.
Create a new project
In the Coolify dashboard, click New Project and give it a name.
Add a resource
Inside the project, click Add New Resource, then select OpenClaw from the service list.
Configure environment variables
Fill in your API keys (at minimum one of: ANTHROPIC_API_KEY, OPENAI_API_KEY, or OPENROUTER_API_KEY).
Deploy
Click Deploy. Coolify handles Docker, SSL, and domain routing automatically.
Connect Your Channels
After deployment, open the Control UI at your assigned domain. Run through the onboarding wizard to connect your messaging channels.
Scan QR code from the UI
Telegram
Provide your bot token
Discord
Add your bot token
Get your VPS, install Coolify, and have OpenClaw running in under 30 minutes.