OpenClaw Clone to New VPS

---

name: openclaw-self-clone-everything

description: Clone and deploy OpenClaw to a new VPS. Use when you need to install OpenClaw on a fresh remote server via SSH. Steps: (1) Verify SSH access (IP, user, password/key), (2) Install OpenClaw via official non-interactive script, (3) Copy ~/.openclaw data, (4) Prompt to update credentials (e.g., Telegram bot token).

---

# OpenClaw Clone to New VPS

Overview: Deploy OpenClaw to a new VPS using SSH and a non-interactive installer, then copy your ~/.opencl workspace and verify/update credentials.

Prerequisites

Procedure

Step 1: Verify SSH connectivity

```bash

ssh USER@VPS_IP

```

If auth uses an SSH key, ensure the private key is available and permissions are tightened (e.g., 600).

Step 2: Install OpenClaw via non-interactive script

```bash

ssh USER@VPS_IP 'bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh)" -- --no-onboard'

```

- `--no-onboard` skips the interactive onboarding wizard.

- This command performs the installation over SSH without prompting.

If the new VPS blocks curl or `https://openclaw.ai`, download the installer locally and scp/transfer it before running `bash install.sh -- --no-onboard`.

Step 3: Copy ~/.openclaw from the source to the new VPS

```bash

# Compress (on source)

cd ~ && tar czf openclaw-data.tar.gz --exclude='*.log' --exclude='cache' --exclude='node_modules/.cache' .openclaw

# Transfer

scp openclaw-data.tar.gz USER@VPS_IP:~/

# Extract (on new VPS)

ssh USER@VPS_IP 'rm -rf ~/.openclaw && tar xzf ~/openclaw-data.tar.gz -C ~/'

# Cleanup (optional, on both sides)

rm openclaw-data.tar.gz

ssh USER@VPS_IP 'rm ~/openclaw-data.tar.gz'

```

Notes and cautions:

Step 4: Update or validate key credentials on the new VPS (Optional)

- Telegram bot tokens and API keys (e.g., `~/.openclaw/config.*` or environment files)

- Provider credentials (if any), webhooks, and service URLs

Where to find credentials:

Step 5: Optional: Restart or reload OpenClaw on the new VPS

```bash

ssh USER@VPS_IP 'sudo systemctl restart openclaw || openclaw restart || echo "Restart manually per your system"'

```

Post-install checks

- Check service status (e.g., `ssh USER@VPS_IP 'sudo systemctl status openclaw'`).

- Review logs for errors (`ssh USER@VPS_IP 'journalctl -u openclaw -n 50'` or relevant log path).

Security and hygiene

Troubleshooting

- Verify outbound connectivity and required tools (curl/bash).

- Check the official docs for an alternative installation methods.

- Ensure the target directory exists and permissions allow writes.

- Reduce verbosity flags if needed to isolate issues.

- Compare token/secret values and update them on the new VPS.

- Avoid committing secrets to version control; use environment variables or secrets management.