Path C
OpenClaw Path
Separate from the UI and CLI paths. Use this only if you want to run your own agent infrastructure and are ready to manage isolation, auth, and network hardening.
High-risk route. This topic is moving fast. Verify OpenClaw docs before every deploy, every upgrade, and every internet exposure change. Read The Lethal Trifecta before setup, and do not connect OpenClaw to accounts, systems, or data you care about. This guide was updated February 4, 2026.
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Suitability Check
Know What You Are Taking On
Self-hosting gives control but adds real operational burden: patching, token security, network policy, and incident response.
Required
Advanced
- Use a separate machine or VM; do not run this next to sensitive personal/work data.
- Best practice: use a dedicated old computer/laptop/MacBook/Mac mini just for OpenClaw.
- Treat all model/tool credentials as production secrets.
- Plan rollback before your first public endpoint.
SB
NET
Security Reality
Assume Breach, Design Isolation
OpenClaw documents that sandboxing is a helpful control but not a perfect security boundary. Build layered controls from day one.
Required
Cloud VM
DigitalOcean (Good First VPS)
Simple droplet-based setup with predictable networking. Keep OpenClaw private first, then publish only after auth and logging are proven.
Recommended
Edge Access
Cloudflare (Access + Tunnel)
Use Cloudflare as a zero-trust front door. Expose dashboard/API through Access policy instead of raw public ports.
Recommended
Other Options
Other Common Hosting Targets
Other current OpenClaw deployment docs include Northflank, Railway, and Hetzner. Pick based on your ops maturity and budget.
Optional
Install
Run Basic Install
Start with the official install script in an isolated environment, then continue setup only after the install succeeds.
Required first run
OpenClaw CLI
curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash
AUTH
SEC
Hardening
Lock Auth And Secrets Early
Do not expose non-loopback endpoints without authentication. Keep provider keys in a secret store, never in shell history or dotfiles.
Required
- Enable auth before binding on LAN/public interfaces.
- Use short-lived tokens where possible.
- Rotate keys after setup tests.
OPS
LOG
Required Ongoing
Change Management And Drift Control
This ecosystem is volatile. Pin versions, track changelogs, and use staged rollouts. Never apply docs snippets directly to production.
Required
- Review OpenClaw release notes before each upgrade.
- Re-run security checks after every config change.
- Keep backups and tested rollback scripts.
