No Mac? No Problem

Setting Up Your VPS

Connect to Your Server
This step gets you into your server so you can start setting things up.
What you're doing: Logging into your server remotely using SSH (Secure Shell).
On your own computer run: ssh root@YOURSERVERIP
After running this command, you'll be asked for your server's root password. Type it in (you won't see the characters as you type, that's normal) and press Enter.Create a New User
For security reasons, we don't want to run everything as the "root" user. We'll create a dedicated user called "clawd."
Step 1: Create the user
adduser clawd
You'll be asked to create a password and fill in some optional info (you can press Enter to skip the optional fields).
Step 2: Give the user admin permissions
usermod -aG sudo clawd
Step 3: Switch to the new user
su - clawd
You're now operating as the "clawd" user instead of root.

Installing OpenClaw On Your VPS

Now we'll install OpenClaw on your server.
On your server run the install script:
curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash
This downloads and runs the official OpenClaw installer. Follow any on-screen prompts to complete the onboarding process.V. Start the OpenClaw Gateway
The gateway is what allows OpenClaw to communicate. Here are a few ways to start it:
Option A: Start with sudo (if needed for permissions)
sudo -u clawd openclaw gateway --bind loopback --port 18789 --verbose
Option B: Start without sudo
First, check who you're logged in as:
whoami
If it says "clawd," you can run:
openclaw gateway --port 18789 --verboseVI. Connect from Your Local Computer
To access OpenClaw from your own computer, you need to create a secure tunnel.
Open a NEW terminal window on your local computer (not on the server) and run:
ssh -N -L 18789:127.0.0.1:18789 clawd@YOURSERVERIP
This creates a tunnel so your computer can talk to OpenClaw on the server. Keep this terminal window open while you're using OpenClaw.

Troubleshooting

If something goes wrong, these commands can help fix it.
Quick Tip: Every server setup is a little different. Your experience may vary based on whether your ports are open, what operating system you're using, or if you've done similar setups before. If you get stuck and this guide isn't solving your problem, try using Perplexity to research the specific error or issue you're running into. It's a great tool for understanding what commands you need and why.
Run the doctor tool to diagnose issues:
openclaw doctor
Automatically repair detected issues:
openclaw doctor --repair
Restart the gateway service (if you set it up):
sudo systemctl restart openclaw-gateway.service
View live logs to see what's happening:
sudo journalctl -u openclaw-gateway.service -f
Stop the gateway service:
sudo systemctl stop openclaw-gateway.serviceOfficial OpenClaw links:
https://docs.openclaw.ai/start/getting-started
https://docs.openclaw.ai/help/troubleshooting

FAQ

1. "Why can't I just run this on my PC/Mac?"
The Answer: You can, but you shouldn't for 24/7 tasks. OpenClaw needs to stay active to handle incoming requests from Telegram/WhatsApp. If your laptop lid closes, the agent dies. Using a VPS ensures your personal AI is "always-on" without burning through your local battery or hardware life.2. "Is OpenClaw/Moltbot secure on a server?"
The Answer: Running autonomous agents always carries risk. This is exactly why we use a dedicated VPS. By isolating the bot on its own instance, you ensure it has no access to your personal files, browser cookies, or local network. It’s the "Sandbox" approach to AI safety.3. "What are the minimum specs I need?"
The Answer: OpenClaw is surprisingly lightweight since the LLM processing happens via API. However, for smooth Docker performance and log management, I recommend at least 2GB RAM and 1 vCPU. The specific plan I linked above [Your Link] is the exact configuration I used for this tutorial.4. "ClawdBot vs. Moltbot vs. OpenClaw: What's the difference?"
The Answer: They are the same project! The name changed due to trademark reasons. This guide uses the latest OpenClaw build, ensuring you have the most stable, bug-fixed version of the software.