Prerequisites
Before deploying OpenClaw, ensure you have the following:
Required
Anthropic API Key
You need an Anthropic API key to use Claude.
- Go to console.anthropic.com
- Create an account or sign in
- Navigate to API Keys
- Create a new key and save it securely
Never commit your API key to version control. Use environment variables or secrets management.
Cloudflare Account (for Workers)
For Cloudflare Workers deployment:
- Create account at dash.cloudflare.com
- Subscribe to Workers Paid plan ($5/mo)
- (Optional) Add a custom domain
VPS (for Traditional Deployment)
For VPS deployment, you need:
- Ubuntu 22.04 or 24.04 (recommended)
- 1 vCPU, 1GB RAM minimum (2 vCPU, 2GB recommended)
- 20GB SSD storage
- Root or sudo access
Optional
Custom Domain
To use a custom domain like ai.yourdomain.com:
- Domain registered and DNS managed (Cloudflare recommended)
- SSL certificate (automatic with Cloudflare)
Messaging Integrations
For Slack, Discord, or Telegram:
| Platform | What You Need |
|---|---|
| Slack | Slack App with Bot Token |
| Discord | Discord Application with Bot Token |
| Telegram | Telegram Bot Token from @BotFather |
See the integration guides for setup instructions.
Technical Knowledge
Cloudflare Workers
- Basic command line usage
- Understanding of environment variables
- Familiarity with npm/Node.js
VPS Deployment
- SSH access and basic Linux commands
- Docker fundamentals
- Basic networking (ports, firewalls)