OpenClaw Setup Guide
Set up OpenClaw by provisioning a server, installing via Docker or Node (~15 min) or the Railway one-click template (~5 min), adding an LLM API key, connecting a chat channel, and writing your SOUL.md.
Setting up OpenClaw from scratch breaks into five stages: get a server, install the software, give it a brain, give it a mouth, and give it a personality. The first four are quick. The last, writing SOUL.md, is where you should spend real thought, because it determines how the agent behaves.
This guide walks the full first run end to end. For the deployment step specifically, how to deploy OpenClaw goes into the install options in more depth.
How it works
- Provision a server. Meet the minimum specs: roughly 2 cores, 2 GB RAM, 2 GB storage, with Ubuntu 24.04 recommended. Any VPS works.
- Install OpenClaw. Use Docker or Node for a manual install in about 15 minutes, or the Railway one-click template in about 5.
- Add an LLM API key. OpenClaw is LLM-agnostic; pick Claude, GPT, Gemini, or DeepSeek and paste in the key.
- Connect a channel. Add a bot token for Telegram, WhatsApp, Slack, Discord, Signal, or iMessage so you can talk to the agent.
- Write
SOUL.md. This file is the agent’s identity and rules; expect 20–45 minutes to do it well. You will also touchHEARTBEAT.md(its schedule),AGENTS.md, andUSER.md. See SOUL.md explained.
Once SOUL.md is saved and the agent is running, message it on your chosen channel to confirm it responds.
Worked example
| Stage | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Server provisioning | 5–10 min | Any VPS meeting min specs |
| Install (Docker/Node) | ~15 min | Or ~5 min via Railway template |
| LLM key + channel | ~5 min | Paste API key and bot token |
| Writing SOUL.md | 20–45 min | The part that matters most |
| Ongoing maintenance | ~1–3 hrs/month | Tokens, updates, debugging |
Total first-run time is roughly an hour, most of it on configuration rather than installation.
Common questions
How long does OpenClaw setup take?
About an hour for a first run, dominated by writing SOUL.md rather than the install.
What’s the quickest install path?
The Railway one-click template, at roughly 5 minutes to a running instance.
Which LLM should I use?
Any of Claude, GPT, Gemini, or DeepSeek; OpenClaw is LLM-agnostic, so choose on cost and capability.
What goes in SOUL.md?
The agent’s identity, tone, and operating rules. SOUL.md explained covers the structure.
What are the server requirements?
Roughly 2 cores, 2 GB RAM, 2 GB storage. Full detail in system requirements.
Is there a setup-free option?
Yes. Liv is an independent managed service built on OpenClaw, not affiliated with the project, and it removes the setup and maintenance steps.