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OpenClaw VPS deployment checklist

A VPS can be a clean way to keep your OpenClaw Telegram assistant online, but the first deployment should be boring: one server, one gateway, one Telegram channel, and only the minimum public exposure.

For people evaluating whether to run OpenClaw on a small cloud server instead of a personal laptop.

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Before you rent or configure the VPS

Decide whether the assistant needs to run 24/7 or only while your computer is awake.
Pick a small Linux server with enough RAM for your chosen model path.
Use API-hosted models first if local inference would make the server expensive.
Plan how you will store secrets: Telegram token, model provider key, and allowed user IDs.
Avoid exposing admin panels or debug ports to the public internet.

Minimum safe first deployment

Create a non-root user and use SSH keys, not password login.
Open only the ports OpenClaw actually needs for the selected channel path.
Put secrets in environment files or a secrets manager, never in public repos.
Start OpenClaw as a managed service so it survives disconnects and restarts.
Verify Telegram direct-message replies before adding groups, webhooks, or extra integrations.

Common VPS mistakes

Choosing a server for local models before estimating memory and latency.
Opening broad firewall ranges “temporarily” and forgetting to close them.
Mixing setup debugging with prompt/persona changes.
Running the bot as root because it was faster during the first install.
Skipping a restart test, then discovering the assistant is not actually persistent.

Where the Launch Kit helps

The paid Launch Kit includes a VPS deployment path, model choice guide, Telegram setup guide, starter builds, and troubleshooting notes so you can move from a clean server to a working private assistant with fewer dead ends.

Get the full kit Start with the free sample