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Run OpenClaw securely on a netcup server

You want to run OpenClaw 24/7 - without depending on a laptop and without exposing risky “open ports”? With a dedicated netcup VPS, you can operate OpenClaw in a controlled, isolated environment with a clean security-by-default setup.

  • Separate machine instead of a hacky setup: clear isolation for keys, tokens, and integrations
  • Secure-by-default approach: prefer access via SSH tunnel or Tailscale instead of exposing a gateway to the public internet
  • Deployment options: classic (Linux/Node) or containerized (Docker / Compose)

About OpenClaw

OpenClaw (formerly Moltbot and Clawdbot) is a self-hosted platform for personal AI assistants that runs directly on your own infrastructure. It enables interaction with AI through a variety of messaging channels, including WhatsApp, Telegram, Slack, Discord, Google Chat, Signal, iMessage and Microsoft Teams. Unlike cloud-based assistants, OpenClaw acts as a centralized control and integration layer that seamlessly integrates with existing communication platforms and provides a unified interface for AI-powered interactions - with full control over your data. The platform has gained a lot of attention in the developer community with over 166,000 GitHub stars.

What is OpenClaw?

OpenClaw is a self-hosted AI agent gateway that acts as a central hub between your AI agent, your tools and your messaging channels. Technically, OpenClaw is built around a long-lived gateway process that runs continuously - ideal for a 24/7 assistant that doesn't depend on your laptop being on. A crucial focus of OpenClaw is "secure-by-default": Instead of simply hanging the gateway publicly on the Internet, the recommended default path is to run the service locally (loopback-first) and to solve access securely via SSH tunnels or tailscale. If you deliberately deviate from this, you need consistent protection (e.g. token/password plus firewall rules).

The requirements for operation on a server are clear: OpenClaw requires Node 22+. Docker is optional (e.g. for containerized setups with Docker Compose). If you want to use OpenClaw productively, you need one thing above all: a stable, permanent runtime environment. A separate VPS ensures that your gateway runs reliably 24/7, is cleanly isolated and that you can secure access and the network as recommended by OpenClaw - via SSH tunnel or tailscale instead of unnecessarily open ports. This is exactly what netcup is ideal for: you get the infrastructure on which you can run OpenClaw in a controlled manner, roll out updates securely and scale up at any time if required. And if you want it as simple as possible, you can even install OpenClaw directly in the netcup SCP using a ready-made image.

Use cases

  • Development teams: Create customized AI assistants that integrate seamlessly with existing workflow tools and perform tasks such as automated code reviews, documentation creation or technical support via Slack and Discord.
  • Product and operations teams: Develop intelligent chatbots that handle customer queries simultaneously across multiple platforms to ensure faster response times and consistent services.
  • Home users & small teams: Consolidate AI interactions across different messaging apps so that a unified assistant can access the same context and functionality regardless of which platform is being used.

Next step: Start with our VPS 1000 G12 and deploy OpenClaw in a few minutes.

Why OpenClaw on netcup?

OpenClaw is intended as an always-on gateway - and that's exactly why you need an environment that runs permanently, is cleanly isolated and can be operated securely. With netcup, you get a VPS on which you can deploy OpenClaw in a controlled manner (classically or via Docker) and where you can secure access and the network according to best practice - e.g. via SSH tunnel or tailscale.

  • OpenClaw Special - Get a 5 EUR discount!

    Get a 5 euro discount on the VPS 1000 G12 with the code: OpenClaw5EUR

save 5 EUR!
VPS 1000 G12
  • 4 vCore (x86)
  • 8 GB DDR5 RAM (ECC)
  • 256 GB NVMe
  • Traffic included
  • Snapshots (Copy-On-Write)
  • Remote console and much more...
per month
€8.45
(incl. 19% VAT)
Order now

For most OpenClaw setups, we recommend the netcup VPS 1000 G12: enough performance for stable 24/7 operation, headroom for integrations and at the same time very attractively priced.

  • Stable 24/7: OpenClaw runs as a permanent service - the VPS is your reliable basis
  • Performance reserve: NVMe + 8 GB RAM give you room for logs, integrations and growth
  • Secure operation: You can set up OpenClaw in such a way that it does not hang in public unnecessarily (tunnel/tailscale instead of "port simply open")

Install OpenClaw on netcup vServer

Here's how it works in 5 simple steps:


Step 1: Open your server in the Server Control Panel (SCP), then click on "Media" in the menu and select "Images" at the top

Step 2: Select the image "Ubuntu openclaw" (at the bottom) and then "Panel Minimal"

Step 3: For partitions, select "One large partition..." and configure language, time zone etc. according to your needs

Step 4: When you click on "Next", you will be shown everything again for confirmation

Step 5: Click on "Install" to reinstall your server with the Ubuntu openclaw image

Note: The server hard disk will be overwritten/deleted in the process