OpenClaw One-Click Deployment Guide: Build a 24/7 Online AI Assistant on Cloud Server

Most AI assistants store your data on official servers, charge per message, and go offline as soon as you close the browser. OpenClaw works in a completely different way — it runs on your own cloud server, can connect to platforms like Telegram, WhatsApp, Slack, and Discord, and stays online 24/7 without interruption.

Now, SurferCloud provides a one-click OpenClaw template (CentOS Stream 9 64bit) on both Simple Application Server (ULightHost) and Elastic Compute (UHost) in its Japan, Singapore, Los Angeles, and Washington data centers.
With this template, OpenClaw can be deployed in just a few minutes.

In this guide, we will walk through the complete installation step-by-step.

1. What is OpenClaw?

OpenClaw is an open-source, self-hosted AI assistant.

You can connect it to:

• Claude (Anthropic)
• ChatGPT (OpenAI)
• Ollama local models

Once connected, it can run as your personal AI assistant across multiple chat platforms.

Supported Platforms

• Telegram
• WhatsApp
• Slack
• Discord
• 10+ chat platforms

Supported Features

• Google Workspace (Gmail / Drive / Calendar)
• Web browsing
• File management
• Terminal command execution
• API integration
• Multi-model switching

2. Why Self-Host Your AI Assistant

Advantages of using OpenClaw + Cloud Server:

✔ All conversation data stays on your own server
✔ No per-message fees — only Cloud Server cost
✔ Runs online 24/7
✔ Freedom to choose any AI model
✔ Can connect to multiple chat platforms

Perfect for:

• Cross-border sellers
• Automated customer support
• AI bots
• Personal assistants
• Developers

3. Requirements

Before starting, make sure you have:

• A SurferCloud account
• A cloud server (recommended ≥ 2GB RAM)
• OpenAI API Key or Anthropic API Key (or other supported model keys)

4. Purchase a Cloud Server

You can purchase the server either from our current promotions page or directly from the console.

Simple Application Server (ULightHost) promo page: https://www.surfercloud.com/promos/ulighthost

Elastic Compute (UHost) promo page: https://www.surfercloud.com/promos/uhost

Simple Application Server (ULightHost) console purchase: https://console.surfercloud.com/light-server/create/

Elastic Compute (UHost) console purchase: https://console.surfercloud.com/uhost/uhost/create

⚠️ Important: You must select one of the following data center locations:

• Singapore
• Japan
• Los Angeles
• Washington

Other regions do not include the preinstalled OpenClaw image. During system selection, make sure to choose the preinstalled image: CentOS Stream 9 64bit – OpenClaw.

5. Initialize OpenClaw from Command Line

After the server deployment is complete, you can initialize OpenClaw using the CLI tool.
This method works on most Cloud Server environments and is recommended for self-hosted setups.

Step 1 — Check Installation

Login to your Cloud Server via SSH and check the OpenClaw version:

clawdbot --version

If installed correctly, the version number will be displayed.

Step 2 — Start Initialization Wizard

Run the onboarding command:

# initialize configuration
openclaw onboard --install-daemon

This command will:

• Start the setup wizard
• Create configuration files
• Install background service (daemon)
• Enable auto-start on boot

Step 3 — Select AI Provider

During the setup process, you will be asked to choose an AI provider.

Example options:

• OpenAI (ChatGPT)
• Anthropic (Claude)
• Ollama (local model)
• Other compatible APIs

Select the provider you want to use.

Step 4 — Enter API Key

Paste your API key when prompted.

Get your key from:

• OpenAI dashboard
• Anthropic console
• Ollama / local runtime
• Other model providers

Example:

Enter API Key:
sk-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

6. Connect Telegram Bot

Telegram is the easiest platform to integrate first.

Step 1 — Open Telegram

Search for:

@BotFather

Start the chat and send:

/newbot

Follow the instructions to create a bot.

You will receive:

Bot Token

Step 2 — Add Token in OpenClaw

Go to OpenClaw dashboard:

Integrations
→ Telegram
→ Paste Bot Token

Step 3 — Start Chatting

Open Telegram
Search for your bot
Send a message

Your AI assistant should reply immediately.

7. Deployment Completed

Your AI assistant is now:

• Running on your Cloud Server
• Online 24/7
• Connected to AI models
• Fully private
• Multi-platform supported

Supported models:

• Claude
• ChatGPT
• Ollama
• Other API-compatible models

You can continue connecting:

• WhatsApp
• Slack
• Discord
• Gmail
• Google Drive
• Google Calendar
• Ollama
• Custom APIs

This allows you to build your own fully automated AI system.

8. Who Should Use OpenClaw

OpenClaw + Cloud Server is ideal for:

• Cloud Server users
• Cross-border eCommerce sellers
• Automated customer support
• AI developers
• Content creators
• Workflow automation users
• Personal AI assistant builders

If you want a private, always-online, multi-platform AI assistant, self-hosting OpenClaw on a cloud server is one of the best solutions.