While running OpenClaw locally is a great way to start, it often limits your AI’s potential to a single machine. To ensure the AI assistant is available 24/7, an increasing number of developers and users are moving their setups to the cloud. In this guide, we’ll explore three common ways to get OpenClaw online and how to choose the right approach for your needs.
A quick overview of the main ways to run OpenClaw online
There are three primary methods to run OpenClaw online, each offering a different balance of technical control, setup effort, and scalability:
Fully hosted solutions (SaaS): The fastest way to get started. These are ready-to-use environments where OpenClaw runs in the cloud with no setup required, making them ideal for users who want a seamless experience.
Cloud hosting services: A flexible mid-range option that lets you deploy OpenClaw on specialized cloud infrastructure. It requires some technical setup but offers more granular control over your environment.
Self-hosted VPS deployment: The most advanced approach for implementing a cloud OpenClaw setup. You manage your own virtual private server and system configuration, providing total control but requiring the most time and technical effort.
The following sections provide a detailed breakdown of how to implement each of these three methods for your OpenClaw cloud setup.
Option 1: Run OpenClaw in the cloud with a fully hosted setup (no setup required)
Using a fully hosted solution is the easiest way to run OpenClaw online. Everything is handled for you, so you can start using OpenClaw immediately without setting up environments or managing servers. One example of such a service is Kimi Claw, which lets you run OpenClaw in the cloud with just a few clicks. Here’s how to get started with Kimi Claw:
Step 1: Open Kimi Claw and create a new instance
Go to the Kimi Claw page and click Create to launch your OpenClaw setup.
Step 2: Let Kimi Claw handle the setup
Kimi Claw automatically runs OpenClaw in the cloud for you. There’s no need to install dependencies or configure servers, and everything is ready within minutes.
Step 3: Start using OpenClaw
Once your environment is ready, you can access it directly from the interface. From there, you can interact with your OpenClaw agent, automate tasks, and start building workflows right away.
Once set up, you can start using OpenClaw right away. Beyond basic setup, Kimi Claw also offers additional capabilities:
40GB of cloud storage for your files and outputs, supporting seamless use without relying on local setup
Persistent memory and customizable agents that adapt to your workflow over time
Proactive scheduled tasks for recurring workflows and background execution
Extensible tools and integrations for handling more complex, multi-step tasks
Pro-grade web search and multimodal support for working with real-time data, images, and documents
Option 2: Run OpenClaw on cloud hosting services
Cloud hosting services handle the underlying infrastructure while allowing you to deploy OpenClaw from a GitHub repository or a Docker image. This approach requires some setup but gives you more control over your environment. Follow these steps to deploy OpenClaw on a cloud hosting service such as Railway.
Step 1: Create a new project from a template
Sign in to your cloud hosting platform with GitHub.
Create a new project, search for the OpenClaw template, and click to deploy. The platform pulls the OpenClaw Docker image and sets up everything automatically.
Step 2: Set your credentials
The template requires two values:
Setup password: used to protect the setup wizard
Gateway token: grants admin access to the dashboard
Enter both and click Deploy. This may take a few minutes.
Step 3: Open the setup wizard
Once deployment succeeds, find your public URL in the platform's networking settings (e.g., https://xxxxx.up.railway.app). Open it in your browser and log in with your setup password.
Step 4: Connect a language model
The setup wizard asks you to connect to an LLM provider. Select your preferred LLM (such as Kimi K2.5), paste your API key, and complete the onboarding process.
Step 5: Open the OpenClaw dashboard
After onboarding, open the OpenClaw dashboard. From here, you can chat with your agent, install skills, connect messaging platforms, and set up automations.
Option 3: Run OpenClaw on a VPS for full control
Deploying OpenClaw on a VPS provides full control over your environment, allowing you to customize system settings, manage resources, and tailor the setup to your needs. This approach typically involves more configuration and hands-on setup, and is often chosen by users who are comfortable managing servers and infrastructure. Here’s an example of how to deploy OpenClaw on a VPS using a typical hosting provider:
Step 1: Prepare your VPS environment
Set up a Linux-based VPS, such as Ubuntu 22.04 or 24.04, with root or sudo access. Make sure your server has sufficient resources (at least 2GB RAM, with 4GB recommended, and 10GB or more of storage). You’ll also need to install Docker and Docker Compose to run OpenClaw in a containerized environment, allowing it to operate independently in the cloud.
Step 2: Clone OpenClaw and run the setup
SSH into your VPS and clone the OpenClaw repository:
Run the Docker setup script:
The script automates the entire OpenClaw setup, handling everything from image building to final deployment.
Step 3: Configure and access OpenClaw
During the setup, enter your AI provider credentials. Once the setup completes, check that the OpenClaw gateway is running:
After setup, open the OpenClaw dashboard by entering your VPS IP address and port 18789 in your browser. Log in using the gateway token created during installation. Once inside, you can connect channels such as Telegram or WhatsApp to start interacting with your AI assistant.
Which OpenClaw cloud option should you choose?
Choosing the right way to run OpenClaw in the cloud depends on how much setup, control, and ongoing maintenance you’re comfortable with. Each option offers a different balance between ease of use and flexibility, so it’s important to pick the one that best fits your needs.
| Fully hosted solutions (SaaS) | Cloud hosting services | Self-hosted VPS deployment | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy | Moderate | Advanced |
| Setup time | Minutes | 30–60 minutes | 1–2 hours+ |
| Maintenance | None | Moderate | High |
| Suitable for | Beginners, quick setup, minimal effort | Developers needing flexibility | Advanced users requiring full control |
Key benefits of cloud-based OpenClaw solutions
Moving your AI workflow to the cloud isn't just about convenience; it’s about unlocking the full potential of an autonomous agent. Here is how a cloud-based setup provides measurable advantages over local hosting:
Continuous 24/7 autonomous operations: Unlike a local machine that stops when you close your laptop, a cloud OpenClaw instance runs continuously. This allows your AI to manage long-running tasks without interruption, such as deep research, data scraping, or multi-step coding projects, even while you sleep.
Universal access across all devices: By hosting OpenClaw online, you create a centralized "brain." You can start a complex task on your desktop at the office. Then you can easily check progress or give new instructions on your smartphone or tablet while commuting.
High-performance infrastructure on demand: Local hardware often struggles to run resource-intensive AI models. Cloud solutions provide access to high-bandwidth networks and scalable compute power, ensuring OpenClaw responses are fast and stable, regardless of your personal computer's specs.
Simplified maintenance and security: Managing local environments involves constant updates to Node.js, Docker, or Python dependencies. Cloud-based solutions (especially managed ones) handle these technical overheads and security patches for you, allowing you to focus on using the tool rather than fixing the environment.
Conclusion
Choosing the right way to run OpenClaw in the cloud depends on your technical expertise and the level of control you need. Fully hosted solutions offer the fastest way to get started, while cloud hosting and VPS setups provide more customization for advanced use cases. By understanding these options, you can choose the approach that best fits your workflow and start using OpenClaw more effectively.