OpenClaw AI Agent Setup Guide on Contabo VPS

---

Part 1: What Is OpenClaw?

OpenClaw is an open-source AI agent that runs on your own server. In addition to answering questions, OpenClaw executes actions: automating tasks, interacting with AI models, and building workflows.

Why Self-Host?

---

Part 2: Choosing a Contabo VPS Plan

Step 1: Visit the OpenClaw Hosting Page

1. Go to the OpenClaw hosting page on Contabo.
2. Review the recommended configurations for running OpenClaw.

Step 2: Select a Plan

The Cloud VPS 10 is a great starting point, but pick the tier that suits your needs.

Step 3: Configure Your Server

1. Click Configure on your chosen plan.
2. Choose your server location: pick the region closest to you for lower latency (e.g., Europe, US, Asia).
3. Set your admin password (this is critical):

4. Click Next.

---

Part 3: Ordering & Setting Up Your Server

For Existing Contabo Customers

1. Log in with your existing credentials.
2. You'll go straight to the order confirmation page.

For New Customers

Before reaching the order confirmation, you'll need to:

1. Enter your personal information.
2. Add a billing address.
3. Set up a payment method.

Confirm Your Order

1. Double-check your server specs, location, and that OpenClaw is listed as your selected application.
2. Complete your order.

After Ordering

1. You'll receive a confirmation email with:
   • Your server's IP address
   • A reminder about the password you set
2. Log into the Contabo Customer Control Panel at new.contabo.com.
3. Navigate to Servers and Hosting → VPS.
4. Your new server will appear here.

---

Part 4: Adding OpenClaw to an Existing VPS

If you already have a Contabo VPS, you can add OpenClaw without ordering a new server.

Steps

1. In your Customer Control Panel, find the server you want to use.
2. Click the three dots (⋮) in the More section.
3. Select Reinstall from the menu.
4. In the installation options, go to Application Installation.
5. From the dropdown, select OpenClaw.
6. Set your admin password (same rules as before: this is your SSH and server access password).
7. Note the warning, then click Install.

The status will change to Installing. Once complete, you're ready for SSH configuration.

---

Part 5: Connecting via SSH

OpenClaw doesn't have a public web interface by default. All initial configuration is done via SSH.

Step 1: Get Your Server IP

Copy your server's IP address from the Contabo Customer Control Panel.

Step 2: Open Your Terminal

Step 3: Connect

bashssh root@YOUR_SERVER_IP

• Press Enter.
• When prompted, type your admin password and press Enter.
• Once connected, the command prompt indicates you are logged into your server.

---

Part 6: Running the Onboarding Wizard

After logging in, OpenClaw may start the onboarding wizard automatically. If it doesn't, run:

bashopenclaw onboard

Step 1: Security Acknowledgment

OpenClaw reads files on your server and executes actions if those capabilities are enabled. Confirm that you understand these implications.

Action: Confirm that you understand.

Step 2: Choose Onboarding Mode

Action: Select Quick Start.

Step 3: Select Your AI Provider

OpenClaw supports multiple AI providers:

• OpenAI
• Anthropic
• Others

Action: Choose your preferred provider (this guide uses OpenAI as an example).

Step 4: Choose Authentication Method

• API Key (Recommended)

Step 5: Enter Your API Key

This is the most critical step. OpenClaw will not function without a valid API key.

How to Get an OpenAI API Key

1. Go to platform.openai.com.
2. Navigate to API Keys.
3. Click Create new secret key.
4. Copy the key immediately (you won't be able to see it again).

Action: Paste your API key into the terminal.

Step 6: Choose Your Preferred Model

Select the AI model you want OpenClaw to use (e.g., GPT-4, GPT-3.5-turbo, etc.).

Step 7: Configure Messaging Channels (Optional)

OpenClaw can receive messages from multiple platforms:

Action: Set up now or skip and configure later.

Step 8: Enable Skills and Hooks (Optional)

Skills are capabilities you can enable for OpenClaw:

Action: Enable what you need or skip for now.

Onboarding Complete

After a few moments, OpenClaw:

• Installs its gateway service
• Initializes the agents

OpenClaw is now installed and running on your server! 🎉

---

Part 7: Interacting via the Terminal UI (TUI)

The Terminal UI is the recommended way to interact with your OpenClaw agent directly from SSH.

Launch the TUI

bashopenclaw tui

Using the TUI

• Type messages just like you would with any AI assistant.
• OpenClaw responds using the AI model you configured.
• If you enabled system tools, you can ask OpenClaw to perform actions on your server directly.

Example Interactions

You: What's my current disk usage?
OpenClaw: [executes df -h and returns results]

You: Summarize the latest system logs.
OpenClaw: [reads /var/log/syslog and provides a summary]

Exit the TUI

• Press Ctrl + C, or
• Follow the TUI exit instructions displayed on screen.

---

Part 8: Accessing the Web-Based Control UI

OpenClaw also has a web-based Control UI with a visual, browser-based experience.

Why It's Not Publicly Accessible

The Control UI runs on localhost:18789, making it accessible only from the server itself. This layout keeps the AI agent secure.

Access It with SSH Port Forwarding

SSH port forwarding creates a secure tunnel from your local computer to the server.

Step 1: Open a New Terminal Window

On your local computer, open a new terminal window (keep any existing SSH sessions open).

Step 2: Create the SSH Tunnel

bashssh -L 18789:localhost:18789 root@YOUR_SERVER_IP

• Enter your password when prompted.
• The terminal will appear to hang, which is normal. The tunnel is running.

Step 3: Generate a Tokenized Link

In a separate terminal window, SSH into your server:

bashssh root@YOUR_SERVER_IP

Then run:

bashopenclaw dashboard

After a few moments, OpenClaw will output a tokenized link.

Step 4: Open the Control UI

1. Copy the tokenized link.
2. Paste it into your browser.
3. The OpenClaw Control UI appears! 🎉

What You Can Do in the Control UI

• 💬 Chat with your agent
• ⚙️ Adjust settings
• 🔌 Enable or disable skills
• 📊 Monitor activity

Closing the Control UI

1. When you're done, press Ctrl + C in the terminal running the SSH tunnel.
2. The Control UI will become inaccessible until you create the tunnel again.

---

---

Part 9: Next Steps & Advanced Configuration

Now that OpenClaw is installed, here's what to explore next:

Connect Messaging Platforms

Link OpenClaw to your preferred messaging apps so you can interact with your agent from anywhere:

• Telegram (useful for mobile interaction)
• Discord (useful if you are already active in Discord communities)
• Slack (designed for team and work environments)
• WhatsApp (suited for personal use)

Enable Advanced Skills

Extend OpenClaw's capabilities through skills:

• Web browsing and research
• File management
• Code execution and scripting
• Custom integrations

Build Custom Workflows

Create AI-powered automation workflows tailored to your specific needs:

• Task automation
• Data processing pipelines
• Scheduled operations
• Multi-step AI chains

---

Part 10: Security Best Practices

Essential Security Measures

Monitor API Costs

OpenClaw's power comes with API costs that vary based on usage:

---

Quick Reference: All Commands

bash# --- Connect to Your Server ---
ssh root@YOUR_SERVER_IP

# --- Run the Onboarding Wizard ---
openclaw onboard

# --- Launch the Terminal UI ---
openclaw tui

# --- Generate the Control UI Dashboard Link ---
openclaw dashboard

# --- SSH Port Forwarding (run on your LOCAL machine) ---
ssh -L 18789:localhost:18789 root@YOUR_SERVER_IP

# --- Open the Dashboard in Browser (after port forwarding) ---
# Copy the tokenized link from 'openclaw dashboard' and paste into your browser