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πŸ¦€ ClawHub

Openclaw Remote Install

by @codeblackhole1024

One-click remote OpenClaw deployment via SSH. Auto-detects OS and selects best method (Docker/Podman/npm). Use when: (1) Installing on VPS/cloud servers, (2)...

Versionv1.0.1
Downloads750
Installs1
TERMINAL
clawhub install openclaw-remote-install

πŸ“– About This Skill


name: openclaw-remote-install version: "1.0.0" description: | One-click remote OpenClaw deployment via SSH. Auto-detects OS and selects best method (Docker/Podman/npm). Use when: (1) Installing on VPS/cloud servers, (2) Automating multi-machine deployment, (3) Configuring models/channels/gateway post-install.

OpenClaw Remote Install Skill

This skill handles remote installation and configuration of OpenClaw on remote servers via SSH with intelligent method selection and async execution support.

Log Directory

All installation logs are automatically saved to:

~/.openclaw/remote-install-logs/_/

Each installation creates:

  • install.log - Main installation log with timestamps
  • install_output.log - Raw command output
  • install.pid - Background process PID (async mode)
  • install.status - Installation status: running/success/failed/timeout
  • A symlink latest points to the most recent log directory.

    Supported Installation Methods

    | Method | Description | Best For | |--------|-------------|----------| | auto (default) | Auto-detect best method based on OS | Most cases | | installer | Official install.sh script | Standard Linux/macOS | | cli | install-cli.sh (local prefix) | No system Node dependency | | npm | npm install -g openclaw | Node 22+ already installed | | pnpm | pnpm add -g openclaw | pnpm users | | docker | Docker container | Containerized deployments | | podman | Podman rootless container | Rootless environments |

    Usage

    Quick Start (Auto-detect)

    ./scripts/install_openclaw_remote.sh   
    

    Async Installation (Recommended for long-running installs)

    # Run installation in background with progress monitoring
    ./scripts/install_openclaw_remote.sh    --async

    Monitor in real-time

    tail -f ~/.openclaw/remote-install-logs/latest/install_output.log

    Check status

    cat ~/.openclaw/remote-install-logs/latest/install_status

    With Password

    ./scripts/install_openclaw_remote.sh    --password-based
    

    Force Specific Method

    # Docker installation
    ./scripts/install_openclaw_remote.sh    --docker

    Podman installation

    ./scripts/install_openclaw_remote.sh --podman

    npm method (if Node 22+ available)

    ./scripts/install_openclaw_remote.sh --method npm

    Non-interactive (Automation)

    ./scripts/install_openclaw_remote.sh    \
      --non-interactive \
      --configure
    

    Custom Log Directory

    ./scripts/install_openclaw_remote.sh    \
      --log-dir /path/to/custom/logs
    

    Auto-Detection Logic

    The installer automatically selects the best method:

    1. If --docker or --podman flag: Use container method (if available) 2. If Node 22+ installed: Use pnpm or npm method 3. Otherwise: Use official install.sh script

    Supported Operating Systems

  • Ubuntu/Debian (apt)
  • Fedora/RHEL/CentOS (dnf/yum)
  • Alpine (apk)
  • Arch Linux (pacman)
  • macOS (Homebrew)
  • Windows (WSL2) - via installer script
  • Post-Installation

    # SSH into remote server
    ssh user@host

    Check status

    openclaw status

    Run diagnostics

    openclaw doctor

    Configure (models, channels, etc.)

    openclaw configure

    Or use Python script for non-interactive config

    python3 scripts/configure_openclaw_remote.py \ --auth --key-based --configure \ --auth-choice openai-api-key --api-key "your-key"

    Configuration Options

    Auth Providers (via Python script)

  • openai-api-key - OpenAI API
  • anthropic-api-key - Anthropic API
  • custom-api-key - Custom OpenAI-compatible endpoint
  • azure-openai - Azure OpenAI
  • google-ai - Google AI (Gemini)
  • mistral-api-key - Mistral AI
  • zai-api-key - Z.AI endpoints
  • Secret Modes

  • plaintext - Store directly in config (not recommended)
  • ref - Environment variable reference (recommended)
  • Gateway Modes

    --gateway-mode local    # Local gateway (default)
    --gateway-mode remote   # Remote gateway
    --gateway-port 18789
    

    Environment Variables

    For secure non-interactive configuration:

    export OPENAI_API_KEY="sk-..."
    export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY="sk-ant-..."
    export CUSTOM_API_KEY="your-key"
    

    Then use --secret-mode ref to reference them securely.

    Troubleshooting

    SSH Issues

    # Check key permissions
    chmod 600 ~/.ssh/id_rsa

    Add to ssh-agent

    ssh-add ~/.ssh/id_rsa

    Installation Issues

  • Ensure curl is installed
  • Check Node.js 22+ requirement (for non-Docker methods)
  • Review logs: ~/.openclaw/logs/
  • Docker Issues

    # Check Docker status
    docker ps

    View logs

    docker logs openclaw

    Restart container

    docker restart openclaw

    πŸ’‘ Examples

    Quick Start (Auto-detect)

    ./scripts/install_openclaw_remote.sh   
    

    Async Installation (Recommended for long-running installs)

    # Run installation in background with progress monitoring
    ./scripts/install_openclaw_remote.sh    --async

    Monitor in real-time

    tail -f ~/.openclaw/remote-install-logs/latest/install_output.log

    Check status

    cat ~/.openclaw/remote-install-logs/latest/install_status

    With Password

    ./scripts/install_openclaw_remote.sh    --password-based
    

    Force Specific Method

    # Docker installation
    ./scripts/install_openclaw_remote.sh    --docker

    Podman installation

    ./scripts/install_openclaw_remote.sh --podman

    npm method (if Node 22+ available)

    ./scripts/install_openclaw_remote.sh --method npm

    Non-interactive (Automation)

    ./scripts/install_openclaw_remote.sh    \
      --non-interactive \
      --configure
    

    Custom Log Directory

    ./scripts/install_openclaw_remote.sh    \
      --log-dir /path/to/custom/logs
    

    πŸ“‹ Tips & Best Practices

    SSH Issues

    # Check key permissions
    chmod 600 ~/.ssh/id_rsa

    Add to ssh-agent

    ssh-add ~/.ssh/id_rsa

    Installation Issues

  • Ensure curl is installed
  • Check Node.js 22+ requirement (for non-Docker methods)
  • Review logs: ~/.openclaw/logs/
  • Docker Issues

    # Check Docker status
    docker ps

    View logs

    docker logs openclaw

    Restart container

    docker restart openclaw