How to Install OpenClaw on Hostinger VPS: Step-by-Step Tutorial

Prerequisites

Before starting, ensure you have:

• A Hostinger VPS account (KVM 2 or higher plan recommended for OpenClaw: 2 vCPU, 8 GB RAM, 100 GB NVMe).
• An API key from a supported LLM provider (Anthropic/Claude, OpenAI, Gemini, or Grok).
• Basic familiarity with web dashboards and copying tokens.
• Optional: Access to messaging apps like Telegram or WhatsApp for connecting your AI assistant.

Note: OpenClaw is a self-hosted personal AI assistant that runs in Docker and can perform real tasks via messaging platforms. Hostinger provides a pre-configured Docker template for quick deployment.

Step 1: Set Up Your Hostinger VPS

1. Log in to your Hostinger hPanel.
2. Go to the VPS section and click Manage on your server (or order a new one via the OpenClaw VPS page).
3. If using a new VPS, select the KVM 2 plan or higher and choose a server location close to you.
4. Complete the purchase and wait for the VPS to be provisioned (usually a few minutes).

Once ready, the server will show as active in hPanel.

Step 2: Deploy OpenClaw Using Docker Manager

Hostinger offers a one-click Docker template for OpenClaw:

1. In hPanel, navigate to your VPS management dashboard.
2. Select Docker from the sidebar (or Docker Manager).
3. Go to the Docker Catalog or search for OpenClaw.
4. Click Deploy next to the OpenClaw template.
5. Review the pre-filled settings (Hostinger handles dependencies automatically).
6. Click Deploy again to launch the container.

The deployment typically completes in under a minute. You’ll see the OpenClaw container listed and running.

Step 3: Access the OpenClaw Gateway and Save Your Token

1. In the Docker Manager, locate the running OpenClaw container.
2. Note the exposed port (usually shown in the container details; often 3000 or similar—check the port mapping).
3. Find the OpenClaw Gateway Token displayed in the container logs or dashboard. Copy and store it securely (use a password manager).

Example command to check container details (if accessing via SSH):

docker ps

Expected output will list your OpenClaw container with port mappings like 0.0.0.0:XXXX->3000/tcp.

Step 4: Configure Firewall Rules

To access the dashboard externally:

1. In hPanel VPS management, go to Firewall or Networking.
2. Add a new rule:
   • Action: Accept
   • Protocol: TCP
   • Port: The port from Step 3 (e.g., 3000)
   • Source: Anywhere (or restrict to your IP for security)
3. Save and apply the rule.

Step 5: Access the Dashboard and Add Your LLM API Key

1. Open a browser and go to http://YOUR_VPS_IP:PORT (replace with your actual VPS IP and port).
2. Enter the Gateway Token to sign in.
3. In the configuration form:
   • Paste your Anthropic (or OpenAI/Gemini/Grok) API key.
   • Choose your preferred model.
   • Save the settings.

The dashboard will confirm the connection. Your AI assistant is now powered by the LLM.

Step 6: Connect Messaging Platforms

OpenClaw supports Telegram, WhatsApp, and others:

1. In the dashboard, go to Incoming Identity or messaging setup.
2. For Telegram:
   • Create a bot via BotFather and get the token.
   • Enter it in OpenClaw settings.
3. Test by sending a message like “Hello” to your bot.

The assistant should respond and be ready for tasks.

Common Issues & Troubleshooting

• Container not starting: Check logs in Docker Manager (docker logs container_id). Ensure sufficient RAM (at least 8 GB recommended).
• Port not accessible: Verify firewall rules and that the port is correctly mapped in Docker.
• API key errors: Double-check the key format and that billing is enabled on your LLM provider account.
• Token lost: Redeploy the container or check initial setup logs to regenerate/display the token.
• High resource usage: Monitor VPS metrics in hPanel. Upgrade plan if running complex skills.
• Deployment fails: Ensure the VPS OS is compatible (Hostinger’s template handles this; switch to Docker template if needed).

If issues persist, restart the container via Docker Manager or consult Hostinger support.

Next Steps

• Add skills: Explore ClawHub in the dashboard to enable web browsing, email, calendar, and automation tools.
• Secure your setup: Change default passwords, restrict firewall access, and avoid running as root.
• Test tasks: Send commands via Telegram like “check my inbox” or “reschedule my meeting”.
• Update OpenClaw: Use Docker Manager to pull latest images when available.
• Scale up: Connect multiple messaging channels or integrate with local tools for advanced automations.

Your 24/7 personal AI assistant is now live on Hostinger. Experiment with tasks to unlock its full potential!