The OpenClaw Install Guide (formerly ClawdBot/MoltBot Install Guide) is a community-driven documentation and deployment tool that provides step-by-step instructions and a one-command script to install the OpenClaw AI assistant (openclaw.ai) on a VPS using Docker. It is designed for developers and technical users who want to self-host a 24/7 personal AI assistant without manual dependency management.
What is the OpenClaw Install Guide?
The OpenClaw Install Guide is a free, open-source installation helper that walks users through VPS selection, SSH access, and automated Docker-based deployment of OpenClaw (formerly ClawdBot/MoltBot). Its input is a Linux VPS (Ubuntu 20.04+, Debian 11+, CentOS 8+) and the user’s SSH terminal; its output is a fully running OpenClaw instance. The guide is maintained independently and is not affiliated with the OpenClaw developers.
Key Features
- Step-by-step VPS selection guidance — Recommends three providers (DigitalOcean, Hostinger, Vultr) with free credit offers and affiliate links to support the guide.
- One-command installation script — A single
curl command (curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash) pulls the latest OpenClaw image, sets up Docker & Docker Compose, configures firewalls, and applies system updates.
- Multi-distro compatibility — Verified to work on Ubuntu 20.04+, Debian 11+, CentOS 8+, and Fedora 30+.
- Automated updates — Rerunning the same script pulls the latest OpenClaw version; no manual upgrade steps required.
- Community troubleshooting — Links to a 24/7 help center and Discord server for VPS or bot configuration issues.
- Transparent and auditable — The installation script is open source and visible on GitHub (github.com/openclaw/openclaw) before execution; no account registration or user data collection.
- Docker isolation — Runs OpenClaw inside a container, simplifying updates, restarts, and host system separation.
Who is it for?
- Developers who want to self-host OpenClaw on a cheap VPS — They can follow the step-by-step VPS provider recommendations and run the one-command script to deploy without prior Docker experience.
- Automation enthusiasts migrating from ClawdBot or MoltBot — The guide explicitly states that all installation methods are identical under the new name, easing the transition.
- Technical users looking for a 24/7 personal AI assistant — The script ensures OpenClaw runs continuously with proper Firewall and port configurations for secure access.
What can you do with the OpenClaw Install Guide?
- Install OpenClaw on a fresh VPS: Register at a recommended provider (e.g., DigitalOcean for a $200 free credit), SSH in, and paste the curl command to have the script handle Docker setup, dependency installation, and environment configuration.
- Update OpenClaw to the latest version: Rerun the same install command – the script automatically pulls the newest production image from GitHub.
- Troubleshoot installation errors: Visit the Help Center or join the Discord server for community support on VPS or bot issues.
How does the OpenClaw Install Guide work?
- The user registers at a recommended VPS provider (links to DigitalOcean, Hostinger, or Vultr) and obtains a Linux VPS with SSH access.
- After logging into the terminal, the user runs the official installation command (
curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash).
- The script performs system updates, installs Docker & Docker Compose, pulls the latest OpenClaw image, configures firewall rules, and completes deployment – all in one automated flow.
