{"id":267624,"date":"2026-09-07T12:18:08","date_gmt":"2026-09-07T12:18:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/?p=267624"},"modified":"2026-09-07T12:23:47","modified_gmt":"2026-09-07T12:23:47","slug":"openclaw-github-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/openclaw-github-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"OpenClaw GitHub Guide: Install, Configure &amp; Run on VPS\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Key highlights<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Follow this OpenClaw GitHub guide to clone the repository, install OpenClaw and complete the setup step by step.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Understand common OpenClaw installation errors and learn how to identify and fix setup issues quickly.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Explore the OpenClaw GitHub repository to find the source code, project structure and documentation required before installation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Learn the key configuration steps needed after cloning GitHub OpenClaw to get your OpenClaw instance running correctly on a server.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Developers increasingly want AI systems they can run within their own infrastructure instead of relying entirely on external SaaS tools. OpenClaw is an open-source platform for building AI agents, automating workflows and managing AI tasks in a self-hosted environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This OpenClaw GitHub guide covers installation from the repository, required tools, source code setup and configuration for local or server deployment. You\u2019ll learn how to clone the repository, prepare the config file, connect OpenClaw, start the OpenClaw gateway and verify that OpenClaw runs correctly. The guide also explains common installation errors, environment variables and GitHub operations where relevant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By the end, you\u2019ll know how to install, configure, troubleshoot and run an OpenClaw instance with greater control over data, integrations and execution.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is&nbsp;OpenClaw&nbsp;on GitHub?&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">OpenClaw&nbsp;is an open-source AI automation platform available on GitHub that allows developers to build,&nbsp;run&nbsp;and manage AI agents within their own infrastructure. Instead of relying on external SaaS AI tools,&nbsp;OpenClaw&nbsp;lets teams create self-hosted AI systems that integrate directly with internal workflows,&nbsp;APIs&nbsp;and applications.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By running&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/help\/article\/what-is-openclaw\">OpenClaw<\/a>&nbsp;locally&nbsp;or&nbsp;on&nbsp;a VPS server,&nbsp;developers gain full control over their data, AI&nbsp;models&nbsp;and automation logic.&nbsp;This makes it useful for organizations that want to move from simple AI experiments to reliable, production-ready AI workflows running inside their own environment.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Also read:<\/strong>&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/what-is-openclaw-ai\/\">What Is&nbsp;OpenClaw&nbsp;AI? The Open-Source AI Agent Explained<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1. Overview of the&nbsp;OpenClaw&nbsp;repository<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The&nbsp;OpenClaw&nbsp;GitHub repository&nbsp;contains&nbsp;the complete source code&nbsp;required&nbsp;to install and run the platform. It includes the&nbsp;OpenClaw&nbsp;CLI, backend&nbsp;services&nbsp;and a web dashboard used to manage AI agents and workflows.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Developers typically clone the repository, install&nbsp;dependencies&nbsp;and build the project locally before launching the&nbsp;OpenClaw&nbsp;gateway. The repository also&nbsp;contains&nbsp;configuration files,&nbsp;scripts&nbsp;and documentation that guide the installation process.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2. What developers use&nbsp;OpenClaw&nbsp;for<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Developers use&nbsp;OpenClaw&nbsp;to build AI-powered automation systems that can&nbsp;operate&nbsp;across multiple tools and services.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Common use cases include:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Creating internal AI assistants\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Automating workflows and repetitive tasks\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Connecting AI models to APIs and tools\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Running autonomous AI agents\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Integrating AI into messaging platforms like Slack or Discord\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because&nbsp;OpenClaw&nbsp;supports tool calling, workflow pipelines and multi-step reasoning, it enables teams to create repeatable AI processes instead of one-off prompts.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Also read:<\/strong>&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/vps-with-high-ram\/\">VPS With High RAM: Boost Speed, Stability and Scalability for Your 2026 Projects<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3. System requirements before installation<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before installing&nbsp;OpenClaw&nbsp;from GitHub, make sure your environment meets the basic system requirements.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Recommended minimum specifications:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Component<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>Requirement<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>CPU<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td>2\u20134 cores&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>RAM<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td>8 GB recommended&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Storage<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td>10 GB available space&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Network<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td>Internet access for dependencies&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You also need a supported operating system, Node.js v22 or\u00a0higher\u00a0and the\u00a0pnpm\u00a0package manager installed before starting the setup process.\u00a0For a quick walkthrough of getting started with Bluehost, watch How to Purchase OpenClaw Self-Managed VPS.<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio  is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper video-seo-youtube-embed-wrapper\"><div class=\"video-seo-youtube-player\" data-id=\"AaBdbexM0qE\"><\/div><\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Also read:<\/strong>&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/vps-hosting-for-developers\/\">VPS Hosting for Developers: Full Control, Speed and CI\/CD Support&nbsp;<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are the prerequisites for installing&nbsp;OpenClaw?&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To install OpenClaw from GitHub source code, you need a supported operating system, Git, a compatible Node.js version and the pnpm toolchain. You also need internet access to clone the repository and download project dependencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This OpenClaw GitHub guide focuses on a source installation, so these requirements should be ready before you clone the repository, build the source code and configure your OpenClaw instance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Supported operating systems<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">OpenClaw supports macOS, Linux and Windows. The best environment depends on whether you are testing OpenClaw locally or running a self-hosted OpenClaw instance on a server.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. macOS<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">OpenClaw supports macOS for local development and testing. You can use Terminal to clone the GitHub repository, install dependencies and run the OpenClaw gateway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Make sure Git and a supported Node.js version are available before starting the source installation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Linux<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Linux works well for local development and VPS deployments. Common distributions such as Ubuntu and Debian provide the Git, Node.js and terminal tools required for a source-based installation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Linux is also a practical choice when you want OpenClaw to run continuously as a self-hosted service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Also read:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/what-is-linux-hosting\/\">Linux Hosting: Introducing a Reliable, Cost-Effective Hosting Solution<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Windows<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">OpenClaw also supports Windows. Users can install OpenClaw through its Windows options or use a WSL2 environment for Linux-based Gateway workflows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For the GitHub source workflow covered in this guide, make sure your environment can run Git, Node.js, Corepack and pnpm commands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Required software<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before cloning the OpenClaw repository, check that the following tools are available:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><th>Tool<\/th><th>Requirement<\/th><th>Why you need it<\/th><th>Check or setup<\/th><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Git<\/strong><\/td><td>Current supported version<\/td><td>Clones and updates the OpenClaw GitHub repository<\/td><td>git &#8211;version<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Node.js<\/strong><\/td><td>22.22.3+, 24.15+ or 25.9+<\/td><td>Runs OpenClaw and its development tools<\/td><td>node -v<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Corepack \/ pnpm<\/strong><\/td><td>Repository-pinned pnpm version<\/td><td>Installs dependencies and builds OpenClaw from source<\/td><td>corepack enable<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Terminal<\/strong><\/td><td>Bash, Zsh, PowerShell or equivalent<\/td><td>Runs Git, installation and OpenClaw commands<\/td><td>Open your preferred terminal<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Internet connection<\/strong><\/td><td>Required during setup<\/td><td>Downloads the repository and project dependencies<\/td><td>Verify network access<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Node 26 is currently the recommended runtime. For a GitHub source installation, OpenClaw recommends enabling Corepack so the repository can use the pnpm version specified by the project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Check Node.js<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Check the installed Node.js version:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>node -v<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your version must match one of the currently supported Node.js branches. If it does not, install a supported release before continuing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Check Git<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Git is required because this installation method downloads the OpenClaw source code directly from GitHub.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Check whether Git is available:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>git --version<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You do not need a GitHub account simply to clone the public OpenClaw repository.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Enable Corepack and pnpm<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For source builds, OpenClaw uses pnpm to install dependencies and build the project. Enable Corepack first:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>corepack enable<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Corepack allows the checkout to select the pnpm version defined by the OpenClaw repository instead of relying on an unrelated global pnpm version.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Prepare a terminal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You need a command-line environment to clone the repository, install dependencies, build the application and start the OpenClaw gateway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Common options include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Bash<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Zsh<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>PowerShell<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Windows Terminal<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A WSL2 terminal<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once these prerequisites are ready, you can clone the repository and begin the OpenClaw source installation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Do you need GitHub CLI to install OpenClaw?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No. GitHub CLI (gh) and gh auth login are not required to clone and install the public OpenClaw source code.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They become relevant if you later connect OpenClaw to a GitHub account for GitHub operations such as accessing private repositories, working with pull requests or performing repository actions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">OpenClaw can use GitHub CLI credentials, and its recommended GitHub connection flow can manage a GitHub identity for agent tools. When enabling repository access, grant only the permissions required for the tasks your AI assistant needs to perform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For a simpler self-hosted setup, explore Bluehost OpenClaw VPS hosting to run your OpenClaw instance with dedicated resources and full server control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \n\n<svg version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" viewBox=\"0 0 1536 533\"> \n\n  <image width=\"1536\" height=\"533\" xlink:href=\"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Run-AI-Agents-on-Your-own-Infrastructure.png \"><\/image> <a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/vps-hosting\/openclaw\"> \n\n    <rect x=\"120\" y=\"368\" fill=\"#fff\" opacity=\"0\" width=\"465\" height=\"82\"><\/rect> \n\n  <\/a> \n\n<\/svg> \n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How do you install&nbsp;OpenClaw&nbsp;from the GitHub source code?&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/install-OpenClaw-from-the-GitHub-1024x683.png\" alt=\"How do you install\u00a0OpenClaw\u00a0from the GitHub source code\" class=\"wp-image-279882\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/install-OpenClaw-from-the-GitHub-1024x683.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/install-OpenClaw-from-the-GitHub-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/install-OpenClaw-from-the-GitHub-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/install-OpenClaw-from-the-GitHub-254x169.png 254w, https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/install-OpenClaw-from-the-GitHub-405x270.png 405w, https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/install-OpenClaw-from-the-GitHub-900x600.png 900w, https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/install-OpenClaw-from-the-GitHub-945x630.png 945w\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To install OpenClaw from GitHub, clone the repository, install dependencies with pnpm and build the application. Then link the CLI, complete onboarding and start the OpenClaw gateway. A source installation suits developers who want to modify OpenClaw or contribute code.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This OpenClaw GitHub guide covers installation using a Bash-compatible terminal on Linux, macOS or Windows through WSL2. For VPS deployment, run these commands on your server.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 1: Clone the OpenClaw GitHub repository<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Download the source code and enter the project directory:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>git clone https:\/\/github.com\/openclaw\/openclaw.git\ncd openclaw<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Keep subsequent build commands inside this directory. Cloning creates a local copy of the repository without changing the original project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You do not need GitHub CLI, a GitHub account or write access for this public HTTPS clone. There is no need to run gh auth login for these installation steps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 2: Install project dependencies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With Corepack available, enable it and install the project dependencies:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>corepack enable\npnpm install<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Corepack selects the pnpm version specified in the repository\u2019s package.json. This keeps your package manager aligned with the project instead of using an arbitrary global version.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Use pnpm for the source installation. Running npm install at the repository root does not prepare OpenClaw\u2019s complete workspace and bundled plugins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 3: Build OpenClaw and its dashboard<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Build the application, followed by the dashboard assets:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>pnpm build\npnpm ui:build<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Wait for each command to finish successfully before continuing. These steps prepare OpenClaw and its browser-based control interface for use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 4: Link the CLI and configure your OpenClaw instance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Make the openclaw command available outside the repository by linking your checkout:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>pnpm add --global \"openclaw@link:$PWD\"<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If pnpm reports that its global binary directory is missing from PATH, run pnpm setup. Reopen your terminal, return to the repository directory and retry the linking command.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Next, launch onboarding:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>openclaw onboard --install-daemon<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Follow the prompts to connect OpenClaw to your chosen model provider and configure your AI assistant. Setup covers model configuration, provider authentication, workspace settings and gateway access. The &#8211;install-daemon option installs a background gateway service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Authentication options depend on the provider and may include API keys, supported sign-in methods or references to environment variables. Messaging channels can be added during the applicable setup flow or configured later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To locate your active config file, use:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>openclaw config file<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This reports the configuration path used by your OpenClaw instance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 5: Check and start the OpenClaw gateway<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Check whether the background service is running:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>openclaw gateway status<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If the service is installed but stopped, start it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>openclaw gateway start<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The start command leaves an already-running managed gateway unchanged. If no service is installed, it provides installation guidance instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Keep gateway authentication enabled and use loopback binding during initial setup. These settings restrict network access while you configure your self-hosted instance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Optional: Run OpenClaw in development mode<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Use development mode when editing OpenClaw\u2019s source code, not as a required installation step:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>pnpm gateway:watch<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The current watcher uses a tmux session and reloads the gateway when relevant source or configuration files change. It also stops the active profile\u2019s installed gateway service before taking over its port. Ensure tmux is available before using this workflow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once the gateway is running, continue with the installation checks and dashboard verification in the next section<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How can you verify that&nbsp;OpenClaw&nbsp;is installed correctly?&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To verify OpenClaw, check the CLI, validate your configuration and confirm the gateway is running. Then open the dashboard and send a message to your AI assistant. These checks test your OpenClaw instance beyond simply confirming that the source code builds successfully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Check the gateway health and status<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Run the following checks on the machine where OpenClaw runs. Use the same user account and profile used during setup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Check the CLI and configuration<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Confirm that the OpenClaw command is available:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>openclaw --version<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This prints the installed CLI version. It does not confirm that the gateway or model provider is working.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Next, locate your active config file and validate its settings:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>openclaw config file\nopenclaw config validate<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The first command displays the configuration path. The second checks your configuration against OpenClaw\u2019s schema without starting the gateway. Successful validation does not prove that your model configuration can authenticate with external services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Run OpenClaw diagnostics<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Use the diagnostic command to identify configuration, gateway and installation issues:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>openclaw doctor<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Read the reported findings and follow the relevant repair guidance. Doctor can perform configuration migrations and offer repairs, so review its prompts carefully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When the findings recommend automatic repairs, run:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>openclaw doctor --fix<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This applies supported repairs and can modify configuration or stored state. Back up important settings first. It does not guarantee that every installation issue will be resolved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Check gateway connectivity and service status<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Check the OpenClaw gateway, then request its health snapshot:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>openclaw gateway status\nopenclaw health<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For a managed service, look for a running gateway and a successful connectivity probe. The health command provides additional information about configured channels, agents and session state. Neither check replaces testing an actual AI response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For a broader overview, run:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>openclaw status<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Use openclaw status &#8211;all for more detailed, read-only diagnostics. Use openclaw status &#8211;deep to request live checks of supported messaging channels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On Linux, the default installation uses a systemd user service. Check it with:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>systemctl --user status openclaw-gateway.service<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Named profiles can use a different service name. This command applies to a systemd-managed installation, not a gateway running only in your terminal. For a guided setup, watch How to Configure OpenClaw Agent.<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio  is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper video-seo-youtube-embed-wrapper\"><div class=\"video-seo-youtube-player\" data-id=\"0KE_UbizUEQ\"><\/div><\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How do you access the OpenClaw dashboard?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/How-do-you-access-the-OpenClaw-dashboard-1024x512.png\" alt=\"How do you access the OpenClaw dashboard\" class=\"wp-image-279883\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/How-do-you-access-the-OpenClaw-dashboard-1024x512.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/How-do-you-access-the-OpenClaw-dashboard-300x150.png 300w, https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/How-do-you-access-the-OpenClaw-dashboard-768x384.png 768w, https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/How-do-you-access-the-OpenClaw-dashboard-480x240.png 480w, https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/How-do-you-access-the-OpenClaw-dashboard-1000x500.png 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Run openclaw dashboard to open the browser-based Control UI. For a VPS installation, use an SSH tunnel to access it from your computer without exposing the gateway publicly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Open the dashboard locally<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On the computer running OpenClaw, enter:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>openclaw dashboard<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The command opens the Control UI and provides a browser authentication flow. Keep any generated access link private.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For a default local installation, the dashboard address is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>http:&#47;&#47;127.0.0.1:18789\/<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can also use http:\/\/localhost:18789\/. A customized port, base path or TLS configuration changes the address, so check your gateway settings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Access a self-hosted instance on a VPS<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On your VPS, display the dashboard connection information without launching a browser:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>openclaw dashboard --no-open<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This prints the dashboard URL for manual access.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Next, open a terminal on your own computer and create an SSH tunnel:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>ssh -N -L 127.0.0.1:18789:127.0.0.1:18789 USER@SERVER_IP<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Replace USER and SERVER_IP with your VPS login details. Keep the tunnel running, then open the dashboard\u2019s localhost address in your browser. Complete the authentication process shown by OpenClaw.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This method does not require a public URL or reverse proxy. Keep gateway authentication enabled and avoid opening port 18789 to the internet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Troubleshoot dashboard connection problems<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If the dashboard does not connect, inspect the gateway and follow its logs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>openclaw gateway status\nopenclaw logs --follow<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Check for authentication failures, an incorrect address, port conflicts or a stopped service. On a VPS, also confirm that your SSH tunnel remains connected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When a configuration fix requires restarting the managed service, use:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>openclaw gateway restart<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then check gateway status again. Changing the port alone does not resolve authentication or remote-access problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Send a test message to your AI assistant<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Use the dashboard chat to send a simple natural-language message, such as \u201cReply with a short greeting.\u201d An AI reply confirms that this conversation can reach a working model, not just load the dashboard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After configuring messaging channels, test each separately. For example, send a Telegram message from an approved account and confirm that a reply arrives. Channel connectivity alone does not prove that pairing rules or message delivery work correctly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Optional: Check GitHub CLI access<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For an integration that uses GitHub CLI, check GitHub access separately from OpenClaw\u2019s gateway health. First, verify the active GitHub account:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>gh auth status<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If authentication is missing, run gh auth login and follow GitHub\u2019s sign-in instructions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then test access to a specific repository:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>gh pr list --repo OWNER\/REPO --limit 5\ngh pr view PR_NUMBER --repo OWNER\/REPO<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Replace the placeholders with your repository and an existing pull request number. These commands list open pull requests and inspect a selected request without performing write actions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Successful GitHub CLI commands confirm CLI access, not complete OpenClaw integration. Test the configured agent separately before relying on it for GitHub operations<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are the most common&nbsp;OpenClaw&nbsp;GitHub installation issues?&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even when following the official steps to install&nbsp;OpenClaw&nbsp;from GitHub, developers may&nbsp;encounter&nbsp;setup problems related to dependencies, configuration&nbsp;files&nbsp;or service&nbsp;startups.&nbsp;Identifying&nbsp;these issues early helps ensure the gateway and services run correctly.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Below are some common&nbsp;OpenClaw&nbsp;installation errors and practical troubleshooting steps to resolve them.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1. Installation script not running<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the most common issues occurs when installation commands&nbsp;fail to&nbsp;execute&nbsp;properly.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This can happen due to:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Outdated Node.js versions\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Missing\u00a0pnpm\u00a0package manager\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Incorrect shell environment\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Insufficient system permissions\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How to fix it<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Verify your Node.js version:\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>node -v&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">OpenClaw&nbsp;requires&nbsp;Node.js v22 or later.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Ensure\u00a0pnpm\u00a0is installed globally:\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>npm&nbsp;install -g&nbsp;pnpm&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Run commands from a supported terminal,\u00a0such as Bash,\u00a0Zsh\u00a0or PowerShell.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If installation scripts still fail, reinstall dependencies and restart the setup process.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2. Dependency or&nbsp;pnpm&nbsp;errors<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dependency issues are another frequent cause of installation problems.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Typical symptoms include:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>failed package installation\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>corrupted dependency cache\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>version conflicts between packages\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>OpenClaw&nbsp;error fixes<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Clear the&nbsp;pnpm&nbsp;store and reinstall dependencies:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>pnpm&nbsp;store prune&nbsp; pnpm install&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If the problem persists, remove the lock file and reinstall packages:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>rm pnpm-lock.yaml&nbsp; pnpm install&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This rebuilds the dependency tree and often resolves installation conflicts.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3. API key configuration problems<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">OpenClaw&nbsp;requires&nbsp;API keys for supported AI model providers. If these keys are missing or incorrectly configured, the gateway may&nbsp;fail to&nbsp;process requests.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Common signs include:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>authentication errors\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>failed AI responses\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>warnings during startup\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How to fix it<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Add the required API keys through the configuration command:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>openclaw&nbsp;config set&nbsp;anthropic.apiKey&nbsp;YOUR_API_KEY&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can also verify configuration settings using:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>openclaw&nbsp;config show&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ensuring API keys are correctly configured is essential for running AI agents and automation workflows.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>4. Gateway service not starting<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In some cases, the&nbsp;OpenClaw&nbsp;gateway&nbsp;fails to&nbsp;start after installation.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This issue is typically caused by:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>port conflicts\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>missing configuration values\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>failed background services\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Troubleshooting steps<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Check the gateway status:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>openclaw&nbsp;gateway status&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Review system logs for errors and&nbsp;confirm&nbsp;the default port (18789) is not already in use.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If needed, restart the service:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>openclaw&nbsp;restart&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These&nbsp;OpenClaw&nbsp;error fixes usually resolve gateway startup problems and restore normal system operation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What security best practices should you follow when running&nbsp;OpenClaw?&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because&nbsp;OpenClaw&nbsp;can run AI agents that interact with APIs, tools and system resources,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/vps-security-guide\/\">securing your environment<\/a>&nbsp;is essential. A misconfigured setup could expose sensitive data, allow unauthorized&nbsp;access&nbsp;or let agents execute unsafe commands.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Following a few core security practices helps protect your system while running&nbsp;OpenClaw&nbsp;locally or on a server.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1. Protect the&nbsp;OpenClaw&nbsp;dashboard port<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The&nbsp;OpenClaw&nbsp;dashboard provides full administrative access to agents,&nbsp;integrations&nbsp;and configuration settings. By default, it runs on port 18789, so exposing it publicly can create a serious security risk.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To prevent unauthorized access, bind the gateway only to localhost in the configuration file:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>\"gateway\": {&nbsp; &nbsp; \"host\": \"127.0.0.1\",&nbsp; &nbsp; \"port\": 18789&nbsp; }&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This&nbsp;ensures&nbsp;the dashboard is accessible only from the local machine.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you need remote access, use a secure tunnel such as:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>SSH tunneling\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tailscale\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cloudflare Tunnel\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For example:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>ssh -L 18789:localhost:18789&nbsp;user@server&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Avoid directly&nbsp;forwarding&nbsp;port 18789 through your router or&nbsp;firewall. You can also block external access with&nbsp;firewall&nbsp;rules such as:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>ufw&nbsp;deny 18789&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To&nbsp;monitor&nbsp;active connections, run:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>netstat -tlnp&nbsp;| grep 18789&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2. Restrict AI command execution<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">OpenClaw&nbsp;agents can run shell commands, call&nbsp;APIs&nbsp;and interact with external services. Without proper&nbsp;controls, this could allow unsafe actions.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can restrict command execution by configuring allowlists and sandboxing in the security settings:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>\"security\": {&nbsp; &nbsp; \"sandbox\": true,&nbsp; &nbsp; \"tools\": {&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \"allowlist\": &#91;\"calc\", \"curl\", \"git status\"],&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \"deny\": &#91;\"rm\", \"sudo\", \"dd\"],&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \"maxTimeout\": 30&nbsp; &nbsp; },&nbsp; &nbsp; \"workspaceRoot\": \"\/safe\/readonly\/path\"&nbsp; }&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These settings limit what commands agents can execute and prevent access to critical system operations.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Additional&nbsp;security practices include:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>disabling untrusted plugins or integrations\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>manually auditing custom skills or scripts\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>enabling mention-only mode so agents run only when triggered with commands like\u00a0@openclaw\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Using modern AI models with stronger prompt-injection protection can also reduce the risk of malicious prompts affecting agent behavior.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3. Secure API keys and credentials<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">API keys stored in the&nbsp;OpenClaw&nbsp;configuration file allow access to AI model providers and external services. If these keys are exposed, attackers could run unauthorized workloads or consume your API credits.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To protect credentials,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/help\/article\/changing-file-permissions\">restrict file permissions<\/a>:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>chmod&nbsp;600 ~\/.openclaw\/openclaw.json&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You should also ensure the configuration directory belongs to the correct user:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>chown&nbsp;$USER ~\/.openclaw\/&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A safer approach is to store API keys in environment variables or a&nbsp;secrets&nbsp;manager rather than directly in configuration files.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Example&nbsp;.env&nbsp;configuration:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=sk-...&nbsp; OPENAI_API_KEY=sk-...&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Additional&nbsp;best practices include:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Setting spending limits on AI provider accounts\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rotating API keys regularly\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Creating restricted API keys with limited permissions\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Avoiding committing configuration files to Git repositories\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Following these security practices helps prevent common risks such as dashboard hijacking, unauthorized command execution and API credential exposure while running&nbsp;OpenClaw.&nbsp;Once your environment is secured,&nbsp;it&#8217;s&nbsp;also important to keep&nbsp;OpenClaw&nbsp;updated to&nbsp;maintain&nbsp;stability and receive the latest improvements.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How do you update&nbsp;OpenClaw&nbsp;after installation?&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">OpenClaw&nbsp;is actively developed, so&nbsp;new updates&nbsp;frequently&nbsp;introduce bug fixes, security&nbsp;improvements&nbsp;and new features.&nbsp;Keeping your installation updated helps improve stability and ensures compatibility with the latest AI models,&nbsp;integrations&nbsp;and&nbsp;workflows.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The update process depends on how&nbsp;OpenClaw&nbsp;was originally installed. If you installed it through the CLI, you&nbsp;could&nbsp;update it using package manager commands. If you installed it directly from GitHub source code, updates require pulling the latest repository changes and rebuilding the project.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1. Updating CLI installations<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If&nbsp;OpenClaw&nbsp;was installed globally using the CLI, updating it is straightforward.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Run the following command to update the CLI package:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>pnpm&nbsp;update -g&nbsp;openclaw&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After updating, verify the installed version:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>openclaw&nbsp;--version&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If the gateway service is running as a daemon, restart it to apply the update:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>openclaw&nbsp;restart&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This ensures the updated version of the CLI and services&nbsp;is&nbsp;running correctly.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2. Updating source installations from GitHub<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you installed&nbsp;OpenClaw&nbsp;directly from its GitHub repository, updating requires pulling the latest changes and rebuilding the application.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Navigate to the project directory and run:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>git&nbsp;pull&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Next, update dependencies and rebuild the project:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>pnpm&nbsp;install&nbsp; pnpm build&nbsp; pnpm&nbsp;ui:build&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Finally, restart the&nbsp;OpenClaw&nbsp;gateway to apply the updates.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Updating regularly helps&nbsp;maintain&nbsp;system stability, reduces compatibility&nbsp;issues&nbsp;and ensures your&nbsp;OpenClaw&nbsp;environment benefits from the latest improvements.&nbsp;Once updated, you can consider deploying&nbsp;OpenClaw&nbsp;on a VPS to run AI agents continuously in a production environment.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Also read:<\/strong>&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/vps-unlimited-bandwidth\/\">VPS with Unlimited Bandwidth for High-Traffic Websites<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Deploying&nbsp;OpenClaw&nbsp;on Bluehost VPS&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To deploy <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/help\/article\/video-bh-openclaw-tutorials\">OpenClaw on Bluehost VPS<\/a>, choose a self-managed plan and use the one-click OpenClaw setup. Then configure your model provider, secure the OpenClaw gateway and connect your preferred messaging channels. Bluehost\u2019s deployment option uses preconfigured containers to simplify installation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<svg version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" viewBox=\"0 0 1536 520\"> \n<image width=\"1536\" height=\"520\" xlink:href=\" https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Build-Your-Own-Private-AI-Agents.png\"><\/image> <a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/vps-hosting\/openclaw\"> \n<rect x=\"118\" y=\"366\" fill=\"#fff\" opacity=\"0\" width=\"304\" height=\"75\"><\/rect> \n<\/a> \n<\/svg> \n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why use a VPS for OpenClaw?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A VPS lets your OpenClaw instance operate independently of your personal computer. It also provides configurable server resources and remote access for managing your self-hosted AI assistant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Run independently of your laptop<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/help\/article\/self-managed-vps-openclaw\">OpenClaw runs on a VPS<\/a>, closing your laptop does not stop the server\u2019s gateway. Your assistant can remain available through configured messaging channels while the server and required services remain operational.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Control your server environment<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bluehost Self-Managed VPS includes full root SSH access and allocated CPU, RAM and NVMe storage. You can install custom software, manage your user accounts and configure application permissions. You also control operating system updates and server maintenance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Self-hosting does not mean all data stays on your VPS. OpenClaw stores its workspace and application state locally by default. However, external model providers receive the requests you send them, and messaging platforms process messages through their own servers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Scale resources as workloads grow<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can upgrade CPU, RAM and storage as your resource requirements increase. Choose capacity based on the applications, tools and concurrent tasks running alongside your OpenClaw instance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Also read:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/help\/article\/bh-connect-ai-credits-to-openclaw\">How to Connect Bluehost AI Credits to OpenClaw<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How do you deploy OpenClaw on Bluehost VPS?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Choose between Bluehost preconfigured deployment and a manual installation from the GitHub repository. One-click setup simplifies provisioning, while source installation gives developers a local checkout to modify and build.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 1: Choose your self-managed VPS<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Select a plan with suitable CPU, memory and storage for your workload. Bluehost offers multiple VPS configurations and resource upgrades, allowing you to adjust capacity as your requirements change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 2: Deploy your OpenClaw instance<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Use Bluehost one-click OpenClaw option to provision the application through preconfigured containers. Once provisioning finishes, click Manage to access the OpenClaw dashboard and continue configuration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For a manual deployment, follow the source code installation steps earlier in this OpenClaw GitHub guide. Clone the repository, install dependencies, build the application and complete onboarding. This is an alternative to the preconfigured deployment, not an additional installation requirement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 3: Configure model access and integrations<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/help\/article\/how-to-setup-api-in-openclaw\">Connect OpenClaw<\/a> to a supported model provider and complete the required authentication. Review your model configuration, workspace settings and messaging channels. Supported channels include Telegram, Slack and Discord, with their own setup requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For optional GitHub operations, configure GitHub CLI in the environment where your agent executes commands. Authenticate the intended GitHub account and ensure its credentials are available to that runtime. With the appropriate tools enabled, your assistant can retrieve pull requests, review comments and GitHub Actions workflow runs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can then request pull request summaries or ask the agent to inspect failed workflow logs. These capabilities require GitHub access and tool configuration; VPS provisioning alone does not enable them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Start with read-only access to specific repos where supported. Fine-grained tokens let you restrict repository access and permissions. Add write permissions only when an approved task requires them, such as creating issues or posting comments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 4: Secure and test the deployment<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Keep gateway authentication enabled and use an SSH tunnel or another documented secure remote-access method. An SSH tunnel lets you access the dashboard without exposing it through a public URL.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Protect your config file and credentials, restrict agent tools and configure human approval for sensitive command execution. Do not rely on a natural-language instruction alone to prevent unauthorized write actions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Confirm gateway health, then send a message through the dashboard. Test each connected messaging channel separately before relying on the deployment for ongoing tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Know what self-managed includes: Bluehost maintains the hardware, network and virtualization layer. You manage the operating system, application configuration, security hardening and software maintenance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Run your assistant beyond your laptop. Explore <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/vps-hosting\/openclaw\">Bluehost OpenClaw VPS hosting<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Final thoughts&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">OpenClaw&nbsp;makes it easier for developers and technical teams to build and run self-hosted AI agents and automation workflows within their own infrastructure. By installing&nbsp;OpenClaw&nbsp;from GitHub, you gain full control over AI models, integrations and system configurations while avoiding dependency on external SaaS tools.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once installed, you can customize workflows,&nbsp;connect&nbsp;APIs&nbsp;and deploy AI agents that automate tasks across your systems. For production environments, running&nbsp;OpenClaw&nbsp;on a VPS ensures reliable uptime, stronger security and the ability to scale as your AI workloads grow.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you plan to run AI agents continuously, consider deploying&nbsp;OpenClaw&nbsp;on&nbsp;our&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/vps-hosting\/openclaw\">Bluehost&nbsp;OpenClaw&nbsp;<\/a>to get dedicated resources, better&nbsp;performance&nbsp;and full infrastructure control for your AI automation stack.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-faqs\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">FAQs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1773064252116\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>Where is the official\u00a0OpenClaw\u00a0GitHub repository?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">The official\u00a0OpenClaw\u00a0repository is hosted on GitHub under the\u00a0OpenClaw\u00a0organization. You can access the source code, installation\u00a0instructions\u00a0and documentation there. Developers can clone the repository to install\u00a0OpenClaw\u00a0locally or customize the platform.\u00a0For production deployments, consider running\u00a0OpenClaw\u00a0on\u00a0our\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/vps-hosting\">Bluehost VPS<\/a>\u00a0to keep your AI workflows running continuously.\u00a0<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1773064282340\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>Can\u00a0OpenClaw\u00a0run on a local machine?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes. OpenClaw runs locally on macOS, Linux and Windows, with WSL2 available for a Linux-style workflow on Windows. Your OpenClaw instance can operate as an AI assistant while the computer remains running. Local installation supports testing and ongoing use; a VPS is optional.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1773064298691\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>Do you need\u00a0Docker\u00a0to run\u00a0OpenClaw?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">No. Docker is optional for running OpenClaw. You can install dependencies and build the source code with pnpm, then run the application directly with Node.js. Docker provides an alternative containerized deployment method rather than a requirement for every installation.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1773064314308\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>What is the default\u00a0OpenClaw\u00a0dashboard URL?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">The default dashboard URL is http:\/\/127.0.0.1:18789\/. Run openclaw dashboard after the OpenClaw gateway starts, then complete authentication. For a VPS installation, access the dashboard through an SSH tunnel or another documented private-access method. The localhost address refers to the computer running your browser.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1773064332019\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>Can\u00a0OpenClaw\u00a0run on a VPS?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes. OpenClaw can run on a VPS independently of your personal computer. Bluehost offers one-click OpenClaw deployment using preconfigured containers. However, self-hosted infrastructure does not keep every interaction private: external model providers and messaging platforms still process data sent to their services.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1773064357103\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>What are the\u00a0minimum\u00a0requirements\u00a0to run\u00a0OpenClaw?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">A basic gateway using external models can run on 1 vCPU and 1 GB RAM, with 2 GB or more recommended. Source installation also requires Git, pnpm and a supported Node.js build, such as Node.js 24.15 or a newer supported 24.x release. Builds, browser automation and local models need additional resources.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1773064377660\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>Is\u00a0OpenClaw\u00a0open source?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes. OpenClaw is open-source software released under the MIT license. You can inspect the main branch, modify the application and redistribute it under the license terms. The required copyright and permission notices must remain in copies or substantial portions of the software.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learn how to install OpenClaw from GitHub, fix common errors and deploy OpenClaw on VPS for scalable AI workflows.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":138,"featured_media":267634,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3743,3048],"tags":[3327,3330],"ppma_author":[842],"class_list":["post-267624","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-openclaw","category-vps-hosting","tag-faqs","tag-how-to-guides"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.7 (Yoast SEO v27.7) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>OpenClaw GitHub Guide: Install, Configure &amp; Run on VPS<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Follow this OpenClaw GitHub guide to install, configure and run OpenClaw, fix common setup errors and deploy it securely on a VPS.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/267624\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"OpenClaw GitHub Guide: Install, Configure &amp; Run on VPS\u00a0\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Follow this OpenClaw GitHub guide to install, configure and run OpenClaw, fix common setup errors and deploy it securely on a VPS.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/openclaw-github-guide\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Bluehost Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/bluehost\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-09-07T12:18:08+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-09-07T12:23:47+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/OpenClaw-Github.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"800\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"533\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Mohit Sharma\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@bluehost\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@bluehost\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Mohit Sharma\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"21 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bluehost.com\\\/blog\\\/openclaw-github-guide\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bluehost.com\\\/blog\\\/openclaw-github-guide\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Mohit Sharma\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bluehost.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/963ada146537ec6b6cc4d4f02e6c40c8\"},\"headline\":\"OpenClaw GitHub Guide: Install, Configure &amp; Run on VPS\u00a0\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-09-07T12:18:08+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-09-07T12:23:47+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bluehost.com\\\/blog\\\/openclaw-github-guide\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":4932,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bluehost.com\\\/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bluehost.com\\\/blog\\\/openclaw-github-guide\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bluehost.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/03\\\/OpenClaw-Github.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"FAQs\",\"How-To Guides\"],\"articleSection\":[\"OpenClaw\",\"VPS hosting\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bluehost.com\\\/blog\\\/openclaw-github-guide\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":[\"WebPage\",\"FAQPage\"],\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bluehost.com\\\/blog\\\/openclaw-github-guide\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bluehost.com\\\/blog\\\/openclaw-github-guide\\\/\",\"name\":\"OpenClaw GitHub Guide: Install, Configure & Run on VPS\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bluehost.com\\\/blog\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bluehost.com\\\/blog\\\/openclaw-github-guide\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bluehost.com\\\/blog\\\/openclaw-github-guide\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bluehost.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/03\\\/OpenClaw-Github.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-09-07T12:18:08+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-09-07T12:23:47+00:00\",\"description\":\"Follow this OpenClaw GitHub guide to install, configure and run OpenClaw, fix common setup errors and deploy it securely on a VPS.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bluehost.com\\\/blog\\\/openclaw-github-guide\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"mainEntity\":[{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bluehost.com\\\/blog\\\/openclaw-github-guide\\\/#faq-question-1773064252116\"},{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bluehost.com\\\/blog\\\/openclaw-github-guide\\\/#faq-question-1773064282340\"},{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bluehost.com\\\/blog\\\/openclaw-github-guide\\\/#faq-question-1773064298691\"},{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bluehost.com\\\/blog\\\/openclaw-github-guide\\\/#faq-question-1773064314308\"},{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bluehost.com\\\/blog\\\/openclaw-github-guide\\\/#faq-question-1773064332019\"},{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bluehost.com\\\/blog\\\/openclaw-github-guide\\\/#faq-question-1773064357103\"},{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bluehost.com\\\/blog\\\/openclaw-github-guide\\\/#faq-question-1773064377660\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bluehost.com\\\/blog\\\/openclaw-github-guide\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bluehost.com\\\/blog\\\/openclaw-github-guide\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bluehost.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/03\\\/OpenClaw-Github.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bluehost.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/03\\\/OpenClaw-Github.jpg\",\"width\":800,\"height\":533,\"caption\":\"OpenClaw Github\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bluehost.com\\\/blog\\\/openclaw-github-guide\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Blog\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bluehost.com\\\/blog\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Hosting\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bluehost.com\\\/blog\\\/category\\\/hosting\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"VPS hosting\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bluehost.com\\\/blog\\\/category\\\/hosting\\\/vps-hosting\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":4,\"name\":\"OpenClaw\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bluehost.com\\\/blog\\\/category\\\/hosting\\\/vps-hosting\\\/openclaw\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":5,\"name\":\"OpenClaw GitHub Guide: Install, Configure &amp; Run on VPS\u00a0\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bluehost.com\\\/blog\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bluehost.com\\\/blog\\\/\",\"name\":\"Bluehost\",\"description\":\"\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bluehost.com\\\/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bluehost.com\\\/blog\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bluehost.com\\\/blog\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Bluehost\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bluehost.com\\\/blog\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bluehost.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bluehost.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/08\\\/bluehost-logo.svg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bluehost.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/08\\\/bluehost-logo.svg\",\"width\":136,\"height\":24,\"caption\":\"Bluehost\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bluehost.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/bluehost\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/bluehost\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.linkedin.com\\\/company\\\/bluehost-com\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/user\\\/bluehost\",\"https:\\\/\\\/en.wikipedia.org\\\/wiki\\\/Bluehost\"],\"description\":\"Bluehost is a leading web hosting provider empowering millions of websites worldwide. \\u2028Discover how Bluehost's expertise, reliability, and innovation can help you achieve your online goals.\",\"telephone\":\"+1-888-401-4678\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bluehost.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/963ada146537ec6b6cc4d4f02e6c40c8\",\"name\":\"Mohit Sharma\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/ef26790cc4942b0fc60957ce3a9d0854c759a20994b106b99defa5385a80dcca?s=96&d=mm&r=g2db1a2f67f45c93b46c4cb340a8d96bc\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/ef26790cc4942b0fc60957ce3a9d0854c759a20994b106b99defa5385a80dcca?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/ef26790cc4942b0fc60957ce3a9d0854c759a20994b106b99defa5385a80dcca?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Mohit Sharma\"},\"description\":\"I\u2019m Mohit Sharma, a content writer at Bluehost who focuses on WordPress. I enjoy making complex technical topics easy to understand. When I\u2019m not writing, I\u2019m usually gaming. With skills in HTML, CSS, and modern IT tools, I create clear and straightforward content that explains technical ideas.\",\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.linkedin.com\\\/in\\\/mohitsharma066\\\/\"],\"honorificPrefix\":\"Mr\",\"birthDate\":\"1996-10-06\",\"gender\":\"male\",\"knowsAbout\":[\"HTML\",\"WordPress\",\"Writing\"],\"knowsLanguage\":[\"English\",\"Hindi\"],\"jobTitle\":\"Web Content Writer\",\"worksFor\":\"Newfold Digital\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bluehost.com\\\/blog\\\/author\\\/mohit-sharma\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bluehost.com\\\/blog\\\/openclaw-github-guide\\\/#faq-question-1773064252116\",\"position\":1,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bluehost.com\\\/blog\\\/openclaw-github-guide\\\/#faq-question-1773064252116\",\"name\":\"Where is the official\u00a0OpenClaw\u00a0GitHub repository?\u00a0\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"The official\u00a0OpenClaw\u00a0repository is hosted on GitHub under the\u00a0OpenClaw\u00a0organization. You can access the source code, installation\u00a0instructions\u00a0and documentation there. Developers can clone the repository to install\u00a0OpenClaw\u00a0locally or customize the platform.\u00a0For production deployments, consider running\u00a0OpenClaw\u00a0on\u00a0our\u00a0<a href=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bluehost.com\\\/vps-hosting\\\">Bluehost VPS<\\\/a>\u00a0to keep your AI workflows running continuously.\u00a0\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bluehost.com\\\/blog\\\/openclaw-github-guide\\\/#faq-question-1773064282340\",\"position\":2,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bluehost.com\\\/blog\\\/openclaw-github-guide\\\/#faq-question-1773064282340\",\"name\":\"Can\u00a0OpenClaw\u00a0run on a local machine?\u00a0\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Yes. OpenClaw runs locally on macOS, Linux and Windows, with WSL2 available for a Linux-style workflow on Windows. Your OpenClaw instance can operate as an AI assistant while the computer remains running. Local installation supports testing and ongoing use; a VPS is optional.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bluehost.com\\\/blog\\\/openclaw-github-guide\\\/#faq-question-1773064298691\",\"position\":3,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bluehost.com\\\/blog\\\/openclaw-github-guide\\\/#faq-question-1773064298691\",\"name\":\"Do you need\u00a0Docker\u00a0to run\u00a0OpenClaw?\u00a0\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"No. Docker is optional for running OpenClaw. You can install dependencies and build the source code with pnpm, then run the application directly with Node.js. Docker provides an alternative containerized deployment method rather than a requirement for every installation.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bluehost.com\\\/blog\\\/openclaw-github-guide\\\/#faq-question-1773064314308\",\"position\":4,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bluehost.com\\\/blog\\\/openclaw-github-guide\\\/#faq-question-1773064314308\",\"name\":\"What is the default\u00a0OpenClaw\u00a0dashboard URL?\u00a0\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"The default dashboard URL is http:\\\/\\\/127.0.0.1:18789\\\/. Run openclaw dashboard after the OpenClaw gateway starts, then complete authentication. For a VPS installation, access the dashboard through an SSH tunnel or another documented private-access method. The localhost address refers to the computer running your browser.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bluehost.com\\\/blog\\\/openclaw-github-guide\\\/#faq-question-1773064332019\",\"position\":5,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bluehost.com\\\/blog\\\/openclaw-github-guide\\\/#faq-question-1773064332019\",\"name\":\"Can\u00a0OpenClaw\u00a0run on a VPS?\u00a0\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Yes. OpenClaw can run on a VPS independently of your personal computer. Bluehost offers one-click OpenClaw deployment using preconfigured containers. However, self-hosted infrastructure does not keep every interaction private: external model providers and messaging platforms still process data sent to their services.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bluehost.com\\\/blog\\\/openclaw-github-guide\\\/#faq-question-1773064357103\",\"position\":6,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bluehost.com\\\/blog\\\/openclaw-github-guide\\\/#faq-question-1773064357103\",\"name\":\"What are the\u00a0minimum\u00a0requirements\u00a0to run\u00a0OpenClaw?\u00a0\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"A basic gateway using external models can run on 1 vCPU and 1 GB RAM, with 2 GB or more recommended. Source installation also requires Git, pnpm and a supported Node.js build, such as Node.js 24.15 or a newer supported 24.x release. Builds, browser automation and local models need additional resources.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bluehost.com\\\/blog\\\/openclaw-github-guide\\\/#faq-question-1773064377660\",\"position\":7,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bluehost.com\\\/blog\\\/openclaw-github-guide\\\/#faq-question-1773064377660\",\"name\":\"Is\u00a0OpenClaw\u00a0open source?\u00a0\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Yes. OpenClaw is open-source software released under the MIT license. You can inspect the main branch, modify the application and redistribute it under the license terms. The required copyright and permission notices must remain in copies or substantial portions of the software.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"OpenClaw GitHub Guide: Install, Configure & Run on VPS","description":"Follow this OpenClaw GitHub guide to install, configure and run OpenClaw, fix common setup errors and deploy it securely on a VPS.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/267624\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"OpenClaw GitHub Guide: Install, Configure &amp; Run on VPS\u00a0","og_description":"Follow this OpenClaw GitHub guide to install, configure and run OpenClaw, fix common setup errors and deploy it securely on a VPS.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/openclaw-github-guide\/","og_site_name":"Bluehost Blog","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/bluehost\/","article_published_time":"2026-09-07T12:18:08+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-09-07T12:23:47+00:00","og_image":[{"width":800,"height":533,"url":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/OpenClaw-Github.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Mohit Sharma","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@bluehost","twitter_site":"@bluehost","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Mohit Sharma","Est. reading time":"21 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/openclaw-github-guide\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/openclaw-github-guide\/"},"author":{"name":"Mohit Sharma","@id":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/963ada146537ec6b6cc4d4f02e6c40c8"},"headline":"OpenClaw GitHub Guide: Install, Configure &amp; Run on VPS\u00a0","datePublished":"2026-09-07T12:18:08+00:00","dateModified":"2026-09-07T12:23:47+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/openclaw-github-guide\/"},"wordCount":4932,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/openclaw-github-guide\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/OpenClaw-Github.jpg","keywords":["FAQs","How-To Guides"],"articleSection":["OpenClaw","VPS hosting"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/openclaw-github-guide\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":["WebPage","FAQPage"],"@id":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/openclaw-github-guide\/","url":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/openclaw-github-guide\/","name":"OpenClaw GitHub Guide: Install, Configure & Run on VPS","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/openclaw-github-guide\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/openclaw-github-guide\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/OpenClaw-Github.jpg","datePublished":"2026-09-07T12:18:08+00:00","dateModified":"2026-09-07T12:23:47+00:00","description":"Follow this OpenClaw GitHub guide to install, configure and run OpenClaw, fix common setup errors and deploy it securely on a VPS.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/openclaw-github-guide\/#breadcrumb"},"mainEntity":[{"@id":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/openclaw-github-guide\/#faq-question-1773064252116"},{"@id":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/openclaw-github-guide\/#faq-question-1773064282340"},{"@id":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/openclaw-github-guide\/#faq-question-1773064298691"},{"@id":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/openclaw-github-guide\/#faq-question-1773064314308"},{"@id":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/openclaw-github-guide\/#faq-question-1773064332019"},{"@id":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/openclaw-github-guide\/#faq-question-1773064357103"},{"@id":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/openclaw-github-guide\/#faq-question-1773064377660"}],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/openclaw-github-guide\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/openclaw-github-guide\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/OpenClaw-Github.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/OpenClaw-Github.jpg","width":800,"height":533,"caption":"OpenClaw Github"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/openclaw-github-guide\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Hosting","item":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/category\/hosting\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"VPS hosting","item":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/category\/hosting\/vps-hosting\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"OpenClaw","item":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/category\/hosting\/vps-hosting\/openclaw\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":5,"name":"OpenClaw GitHub Guide: Install, Configure &amp; Run on VPS\u00a0"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/","name":"Bluehost","description":"","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/#organization","name":"Bluehost","url":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/bluehost-logo.svg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/bluehost-logo.svg","width":136,"height":24,"caption":"Bluehost"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/bluehost\/","https:\/\/x.com\/bluehost","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/bluehost-com\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/bluehost","https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Bluehost"],"description":"Bluehost is a leading web hosting provider empowering millions of websites worldwide. \u2028Discover how Bluehost's expertise, reliability, and innovation can help you achieve your online goals.","telephone":"+1-888-401-4678"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/963ada146537ec6b6cc4d4f02e6c40c8","name":"Mohit Sharma","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ef26790cc4942b0fc60957ce3a9d0854c759a20994b106b99defa5385a80dcca?s=96&d=mm&r=g2db1a2f67f45c93b46c4cb340a8d96bc","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ef26790cc4942b0fc60957ce3a9d0854c759a20994b106b99defa5385a80dcca?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ef26790cc4942b0fc60957ce3a9d0854c759a20994b106b99defa5385a80dcca?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Mohit Sharma"},"description":"I\u2019m Mohit Sharma, a content writer at Bluehost who focuses on WordPress. I enjoy making complex technical topics easy to understand. When I\u2019m not writing, I\u2019m usually gaming. With skills in HTML, CSS, and modern IT tools, I create clear and straightforward content that explains technical ideas.","sameAs":["https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/mohitsharma066\/"],"honorificPrefix":"Mr","birthDate":"1996-10-06","gender":"male","knowsAbout":["HTML","WordPress","Writing"],"knowsLanguage":["English","Hindi"],"jobTitle":"Web Content Writer","worksFor":"Newfold Digital","url":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/author\/mohit-sharma\/"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/openclaw-github-guide\/#faq-question-1773064252116","position":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/openclaw-github-guide\/#faq-question-1773064252116","name":"Where is the official\u00a0OpenClaw\u00a0GitHub repository?\u00a0","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The official\u00a0OpenClaw\u00a0repository is hosted on GitHub under the\u00a0OpenClaw\u00a0organization. You can access the source code, installation\u00a0instructions\u00a0and documentation there. Developers can clone the repository to install\u00a0OpenClaw\u00a0locally or customize the platform.\u00a0For production deployments, consider running\u00a0OpenClaw\u00a0on\u00a0our\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/vps-hosting\">Bluehost VPS<\/a>\u00a0to keep your AI workflows running continuously.\u00a0","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/openclaw-github-guide\/#faq-question-1773064282340","position":2,"url":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/openclaw-github-guide\/#faq-question-1773064282340","name":"Can\u00a0OpenClaw\u00a0run on a local machine?\u00a0","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes. OpenClaw runs locally on macOS, Linux and Windows, with WSL2 available for a Linux-style workflow on Windows. Your OpenClaw instance can operate as an AI assistant while the computer remains running. Local installation supports testing and ongoing use; a VPS is optional.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/openclaw-github-guide\/#faq-question-1773064298691","position":3,"url":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/openclaw-github-guide\/#faq-question-1773064298691","name":"Do you need\u00a0Docker\u00a0to run\u00a0OpenClaw?\u00a0","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"No. Docker is optional for running OpenClaw. You can install dependencies and build the source code with pnpm, then run the application directly with Node.js. Docker provides an alternative containerized deployment method rather than a requirement for every installation.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/openclaw-github-guide\/#faq-question-1773064314308","position":4,"url":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/openclaw-github-guide\/#faq-question-1773064314308","name":"What is the default\u00a0OpenClaw\u00a0dashboard URL?\u00a0","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The default dashboard URL is http:\/\/127.0.0.1:18789\/. Run openclaw dashboard after the OpenClaw gateway starts, then complete authentication. For a VPS installation, access the dashboard through an SSH tunnel or another documented private-access method. The localhost address refers to the computer running your browser.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/openclaw-github-guide\/#faq-question-1773064332019","position":5,"url":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/openclaw-github-guide\/#faq-question-1773064332019","name":"Can\u00a0OpenClaw\u00a0run on a VPS?\u00a0","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes. OpenClaw can run on a VPS independently of your personal computer. Bluehost offers one-click OpenClaw deployment using preconfigured containers. However, self-hosted infrastructure does not keep every interaction private: external model providers and messaging platforms still process data sent to their services.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/openclaw-github-guide\/#faq-question-1773064357103","position":6,"url":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/openclaw-github-guide\/#faq-question-1773064357103","name":"What are the\u00a0minimum\u00a0requirements\u00a0to run\u00a0OpenClaw?\u00a0","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"A basic gateway using external models can run on 1 vCPU and 1 GB RAM, with 2 GB or more recommended. Source installation also requires Git, pnpm and a supported Node.js build, such as Node.js 24.15 or a newer supported 24.x release. Builds, browser automation and local models need additional resources.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/openclaw-github-guide\/#faq-question-1773064377660","position":7,"url":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/openclaw-github-guide\/#faq-question-1773064377660","name":"Is\u00a0OpenClaw\u00a0open source?\u00a0","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes. OpenClaw is open-source software released under the MIT license. You can inspect the main branch, modify the application and redistribute it under the license terms. The required copyright and permission notices must remain in copies or substantial portions of the software.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"}]}},"authors":[{"term_id":842,"user_id":138,"is_guest":0,"slug":"mohit-sharma","display_name":"Mohit Sharma","avatar_url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ef26790cc4942b0fc60957ce3a9d0854c759a20994b106b99defa5385a80dcca?s=96&d=mm&r=g","0":null,"1":"","2":"","3":"","4":"","5":"","6":"","7":"","8":"","9":"","10":"","11":"","12":"","13":"","14":"","15":""}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/267624","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/138"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=267624"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/267624\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":279887,"href":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/267624\/revisions\/279887"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/267634"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=267624"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=267624"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=267624"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=267624"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}