Deployment

OpenClaw deployment patterns: WSL2, Docker, VPS, and hosted platforms

Deployment questions are not just about getting the process to boot. People want a setup that survives restarts, is easy to debug remotely, and does not accidentally widen the trust boundary while they are trying to make OpenClaw available everywhere.

What people repeatedly need

A deployment decision guide for local dev, personal VPS, and lightweight managed hosts.

A plain checklist for remote access, logs, health checks, and updates.

Examples that explain why WSL2, Docker, and cloud platforms behave differently.

What this hub covers

Local-first deployment

For many users, the most reliable path is still local: WSL2 on Windows, native macOS, or Linux with a single trusted operator. That keeps debugging simple and trust boundaries small.

WSL2 macOS Linux Local Gateway

Containers and VPS

Docker and VPS setups make sense when you need persistence, remote reachability, or a dedicated machine. They also add operational choices around storage, logs, restarts, and network exposure.

Docker VPS Railway Render

Remote access without chaos

People frequently want to open the dashboard or chat remotely. Good deployment guidance should explain when to use loopback only, when to add a proxy or tailnet, and how to avoid turning a private assistant into an accidental public surface.

Remote Access Tailnet Proxy Control UI

Operations checklist

A deployment is only finished when updates, logs, backups, and restart behavior are boring. This content should emphasize verification commands and rollback thinking, not just installation.

Health Checks Logs Updates Recovery

Start here

  1. Choose local-first unless you have a real reason to run OpenClaw remotely.
  2. Prefer a clean base image over opaque one-click marketplace builds.
  3. Verify health, logs, and dashboard access before you connect always-on channels.
  4. Write down who can reach the gateway and how you will rotate credentials later.