# How to install OpenClaw on VPS

#### **Step 1: Connect to Your VPS**

From your local computer, connect to your server via SSH:

<span style="color: #38761d;">ssh root@YOUR\_SERVER\_IP</span>

Replace <span style="font-family: 'Roboto Mono'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Roboto Mono'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Roboto Mono'; color: #188038;">YOUR\_SERVER\_IP</span> with your VPS public IP address.

#### <a name="_pw7zjjxnbayy"></a>**Step 2: Update Your Server**

Update the package list and install available updates:

<span style="color: #38761d;">apt update</span>

<span style="color: #38761d;">apt upgrade -y</span>

<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">![](https://dotroll.com/en/knowledge-base/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/embedded-image-ffzzv8jq.png)</span>

#### <a name="_nj7avcstntv5"></a>**Step 3: Install Required Packages**

Install curl if it is not already available:

<span style="color: #38761d;">apt install -y curl</span>

<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">![](https://dotroll.com/en/knowledge-base/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/embedded-image-km3zuma4.png)</span>

Verify the installation:

<span style="color: #38761d;">curl --version</span>

<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">![](https://dotroll.com/en/knowledge-base/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/embedded-image-hdnruxiy.png)</span>

<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">![](https://dotroll.com/en/knowledge-base/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/embedded-image-tp1r2wte.png)</span>

#### <a name="_24sdsy76swtt"></a>**Step 4: Install OpenClaw**

Run the official installation script:

<span style="color: #38761d;">curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash</span>

<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">![](https://dotroll.com/en/knowledge-base/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/embedded-image-cvrmmlfv.png)</span>

The installer downloads OpenClaw and automatically launches the initial setup and onboarding process.

During onboarding:

<span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>Configure your preferred AI model

<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">![](https://dotroll.com/en/knowledge-base/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/embedded-image-qpsoniah.png)</span>

<span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>Create your workspace

<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">![](https://dotroll.com/en/knowledge-base/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/embedded-image-9bxrnpma.png)</span>

<span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>Allow OpenClaw to install and start the Gateway service

Follow the on-screen prompts until the installation is complete. When it's complete, launch the terminal interface, and you can send a simple message:

<span style="color: #38761d;">Hello</span>

<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">![](https://dotroll.com/en/knowledge-base/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/embedded-image-evnzcbjy.png)</span>

If the assistant responds successfully, OpenClaw is working correctly.

#### <a name="_e29qt6tt6ukq"></a>**Step 5: Verify the Installation**

After onboarding finishes, verify that OpenClaw is running correctly:

<span style="color: #38761d;">openclaw status</span>

<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">![](https://dotroll.com/en/knowledge-base/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/embedded-image-wszgezeu.png)</span>

#### <a name="_shmmjgsjh31z"></a>**Step 6: Access the OpenClaw Dashboard from Your Computer**

Because the gateway listens only on localhost by default, create an SSH tunnel from your local computer.

On Windows, macOS, or Linux:

<span style="color: #38761d;">ssh -N -L 18789:127.0.0.1:18789 root@YOUR\_SERVER\_IP</span>

<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">![](https://dotroll.com/en/knowledge-base/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/embedded-image-7ig6hipq.png)</span>

Keep this terminal window open.

Open your browser and visit:

<span style="color: #38761d;">http://localhost:18789</span>

<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">![](https://dotroll.com/en/knowledge-base/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/embedded-image-t6oravn5.png)</span>

You should see the OpenClaw Gateway Dashboard.

Once connected, you can begin interacting with your OpenClaw workspace through the web interface. From the dashboard, you can manage agents, view conversations, monitor gateway activity, configure integrations, and access your OpenClaw environment in a browser rather than the terminal.

### <a name="_pxu042v3skbv"></a>**Common OpenClaw Installation Issues and Fixes**

#### <a name="_9dxjn94giqwh"></a>**Error: E: The update command takes no arguments**

This error typically occurs when multiple commands are pasted onto a single line.

Incorrect:

<span style="color: #38761d;">apt update apt install -y curl</span>

Correct:

<span style="color: #38761d;">apt update</span>

<span style="color: #38761d;">apt install -y curl</span>

Run each command separately to avoid syntax errors.

#### <a name="_7cwyd0ak5a27"></a>**Error: Missing config. Run openclaw setup**

You may see the following message when starting OpenClaw:

Missing config. Run `openclaw setup.`

This usually means the required configuration files and workspace directories have not been created.

To initialize the configuration manually, run:

<span style="color: #38761d;">openclaw setup</span>

After the setup completes, restart OpenClaw and verify that the gateway is running correctly.

#### <a name="_6hc9ek45eqns"></a>**Error: Gateway Scope Upgrade Approval Required**

In some cases, OpenClaw may report that a device is requesting additional permissions.

Check the status:

<span style="color: #38761d;">openclaw status --deep</span>

If a scope upgrade is pending, approve the request:

<span style="color: #38761d;">openclaw devices approve --latest</span>

Once approved, restart the gateway:

<span style="color: #38761d;">openclaw gateway restart</span>

#### <a name="_uhu5vquu0kr9"></a>**Error: Dashboard Loads but Cannot Connect**

If the OpenClaw dashboard opens but remains unable to connect to the gateway, first verify that the gateway is running:

<span style="color: #38761d;">openclaw gateway status</span>

Then check the logs:

<span style="color: #38761d;">openclaw logs --follow</span>

Review any authentication, device, or connection errors reported in the logs.

#### <a name="_nklum1z51rx"></a>**Error: SSH Tunnel Not Working**

If you cannot access the dashboard from your local computer, verify that the SSH tunnel is active:

<span style="color: #38761d;">ssh -N -L 18789:127.0.0.1:18789 root@YOUR\_SERVER\_IP</span>

Then test the connection locally:

curl http://localhost:18789/healthz

Expected output:

<span style="color: #38761d;">{"ok":true,"status":"live"}</span>

If the endpoint responds successfully, the SSH tunnel and gateway are functioning correctly.