OpenClaw Remote Install Skill

---

name: openclaw-remote-install

version: "1.0.0"

description: |

One-click remote OpenClaw deployment via SSH. Auto-detects OS and selects best method (Docker/Podman/npm). Use when: (1) Installing on VPS/cloud servers, (2) Automating multi-machine deployment, (3) Configuring models/channels/gateway post-install.

---

# OpenClaw Remote Install Skill

This skill handles remote installation and configuration of OpenClaw on remote servers via SSH with intelligent method selection and async execution support.

Log Directory

All installation logs are automatically saved to:

~/.openclaw/remote-install-logs/<host>_<timestamp>/

Each installation creates:

A symlink `latest` points to the most recent log directory.

Supported Installation Methods

| Method | Description | Best For |

|--------|-------------|----------|

| `auto` (default) | Auto-detect best method based on OS | Most cases |

| `installer` | Official install.sh script | Standard Linux/macOS |

| `cli` | install-cli.sh (local prefix) | No system Node dependency |

| `npm` | npm install -g openclaw | Node 22+ already installed |

| `pnpm` | pnpm add -g openclaw | pnpm users |

| `docker` | Docker container | Containerized deployments |

| `podman` | Podman rootless container | Rootless environments |

Usage

Quick Start (Auto-detect)

./scripts/install_openclaw_remote.sh <host> <user> <key_path>

Async Installation (Recommended for long-running installs)

# Run installation in background with progress monitoring
./scripts/install_openclaw_remote.sh <host> <user> <key_path> --async

# Monitor in real-time
tail -f ~/.openclaw/remote-install-logs/latest/install_output.log

# Check status
cat ~/.openclaw/remote-install-logs/latest/install_status

With Password

./scripts/install_openclaw_remote.sh <host> <user> <password> --password-based

Force Specific Method

# Docker installation
./scripts/install_openclaw_remote.sh <host> <user> <key_path> --docker

# Podman installation
./scripts/install_openclaw_remote.sh <host> <user> <key_path> --podman

# npm method (if Node 22+ available)
./scripts/install_openclaw_remote.sh <host> <user> <key_path> --method npm

Non-interactive (Automation)

./scripts/install_openclaw_remote.sh <host> <user> <key_path> \
  --non-interactive \
  --configure

Custom Log Directory

./scripts/install_openclaw_remote.sh <host> <user> <key_path> \
  --log-dir /path/to/custom/logs

Auto-Detection Logic

The installer automatically selects the best method:

1. **If `--docker` or `--podman` flag**: Use container method (if available)

2. **If Node 22+ installed**: Use `pnpm` or `npm` method

3. **Otherwise**: Use official `install.sh` script

Supported Operating Systems

Post-Installation

# SSH into remote server
ssh user@host

# Check status
openclaw status

# Run diagnostics
openclaw doctor

# Configure (models, channels, etc.)
openclaw configure

# Or use Python script for non-interactive config
python3 scripts/configure_openclaw_remote.py <host> <user> \
  --auth <key> --key-based --configure \
  --auth-choice openai-api-key --api-key "your-key"

Configuration Options

Auth Providers (via Python script)

Secret Modes

Gateway Modes

--gateway-mode local    # Local gateway (default)
--gateway-mode remote   # Remote gateway
--gateway-port 18789

Environment Variables

For secure non-interactive configuration:

export OPENAI_API_KEY="sk-..."
export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY="sk-ant-..."
export CUSTOM_API_KEY="your-key"

Then use `--secret-mode ref` to reference them securely.

Troubleshooting

SSH Issues

# Check key permissions
chmod 600 ~/.ssh/id_rsa

# Add to ssh-agent
ssh-add ~/.ssh/id_rsa

Installation Issues

Docker Issues

# Check Docker status
docker ps

# View logs
docker logs openclaw

# Restart container
docker restart openclaw