Initial Setup
SSH into your server:
ssh root@<SERVER_IP>
Run onboarding and install the daemon:
openclaw onboard --install-daemon
Secure Remote Access
From your local machine, create an SSH tunnel to the server:
ssh -L 18789:localhost:18789 root@<SERVER_IP>
Then open your browser and go to: http://localhost:18789
Run openclaw dashboard on the server to get the correct URL and token.
Important Files & Directories
- Configuration directory:
/root/.openclaw/ - Main configuration file:
/root/.openclaw/openclaw.json - Workspace directory:
/root/.openclaw/workspace/
Most Useful Commands
Status & Health:
openclaw status # Show channel health and recent session recipients
openclaw health # Fetch gateway health
openclaw doctor # Health checks + quick fixes
User Interfaces:
openclaw dashboard # Open browser-based control UI (token required)
openclaw tui # Open terminal UI connected to Gateway
Logs:
openclaw logs --follow # Tail gateway logs
openclaw logs --level debug # Debug-level logs
Gateway / Node:
openclaw gateway restart # Restart gateway
openclaw nodes list # List paired node hosts
Configuration:
openclaw configure # Interactive setup wizard
openclaw config edit # Edit config manually
Plugins:
openclaw plugins list # List installed plugins
openclaw plugins update --all # Update all plugins
Memory & Sessions:
openclaw memory summary # Summarize memory usage
openclaw sessions list # List stored conversation sessions
Security:
openclaw security audit # Run local config & security checks