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Gregory Potemkin
Gregory Potemkin

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How I Set Up OpenClaw: A Developer's Guide to Self-Hosted AI Assistant Infrastructure

#ai #productivity #tutorial #devops

I recently set up OpenClaw, the open-source AI assistant framework, and wanted to share my experience for anyone considering self-hosting vs managed options.

What is OpenClaw?

OpenClaw is an AI assistant framework that lets you run your own AI assistant with integrations for Telegram, Slack, WhatsApp, and a built-in web chat. Think of it as your own ChatGPT that you control completely.

Why Self-Host?

  • Data privacy: Your conversations stay on your infrastructure
  • Cost control: Use your own API keys, pay only for what you use
  • Customization: Full control over models, prompts, and integrations
  • Learning: Great way to understand AI infrastructure

The Setup Process

1. Install OpenClaw

macOS/Linux/WSL2:

curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash
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Windows PowerShell:

iwr -useb https://openclaw.ai/install.ps1 | iex
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2. Run the Onboarding Wizard 

openclaw onboard --install-daemon
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This configures:

  • Model authentication (OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini, etc.)
  • Workspace defaults
  • Gateway settings
  • Optional messaging channels

3. Verify Everything Works 

openclaw gateway status
openclaw doctor
openclaw dashboard
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The last command opens Control UI at http://127.0.0.1:18789/ where you can send your first message.

Key Lessons Learned

  1. Use localhost for dashboard: Never expose the Control UI to the public internet. Use Tailscale or SSH tunneling if you need remote access.

  2. Run doctor after updates: Always run openclaw doctor after setup and upgrades to catch issues early.

  3. Start with built-in chat: You don't need Telegram or Slack configured to get started. The Control UI works immediately.

  4. Document your install method: Whether you used the script, npm, or source build - keep track of how you installed it for troubleshooting.

When to Consider Managed Hosting

Self-hosting is great for:

  • Developers who want full control
  • Teams with existing infrastructure
  • Privacy-sensitive use cases

But if you want zero infrastructure work, there's OpenClaw Setup - managed hosting that handles operations while you keep control of your credentials and config.

Resources

Have you tried self-hosting AI assistants? What's been your experience?

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