OpenClaw: Complete Guide to the AI Assistant That Took Over X.com
If you are active on X (formerly Twitter), you likely noticed the hype around OpenClaw. This open-source project, represented by its recognizable lobster mascot, quickly became one of the most appreciated autonomous AI assistants because of its flexibility and full self-hosting control.
In this guide, we cover everything needed to set up your own assistant, either locally on your machine or on an affordable VPS.
What is OpenClaw and why is everyone talking about it?
OpenClaw (originally Clawdbot, previously Moltbot) is a personal AI assistant focused on autonomy and privacy. Unlike web-only assistants, OpenClaw is software you control and can connect to your files and your preferred language model providers.
OpenClaw advantages:
- Full control: you are not tied to one proprietary UI.
- Lobster mascot identity: symbolic of resilience and iterative evolution.
- Multi-platform: Windows, macOS, Linux support.
- Extensibility: can connect to most modern LLM backends.
Local OpenClaw installation tutorial (step by step)
Local installation is ideal for testing capabilities without server costs.
1. Environment preparation (Windows, Mac, Linux)
Regardless of OS, you need:
- Node.js (v22 or newer): download from nodejs.org.
- Git: required to clone the official repository.
2. Windows installation (PowerShell/WSL)
-
Open terminal and run:
git clone https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw.git cd openclaw -
Install dependencies:
npm install -
Start development mode:
npm run dev
3. macOS and Linux installation
On Unix-based systems the process is the same. Ensure write permissions in the target folder.
[!IMPORTANT] If
npm installfails, verify Node version usingnode -v.
Deploy OpenClaw on a Hetzner server (about EUR 5/month)
If you want your assistant available anytime, a cloud VPS is the best option. Hetzner offers strong performance and pricing for European users.
Step 1: VPS provisioning
- Open Hetzner Cloud console and create a new server.
- Choose a region (Germany/Finland are common low-latency options).
- Select Ubuntu 24.04 LTS image.
- Choose CX22 (2 vCPU, 4GB RAM), usually enough for this setup.
Step 2: install software on server
After SSH login (ssh root@your-ip), run:
# System update
apt update && apt upgrade -y
# Node.js 22
curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_22.x | bash -
apt install -y nodejs git
# OpenClaw setup
git clone https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw.git
cd openclaw
npm install
npm run build
Step 3: persistent runtime with PM2
To keep assistant online after terminal closes:
npm install -g pm2
pm2 start npm --name "openclaw" -- start
pm2 save
pm2 startup
LLM configuration: Claude API, OpenAI, or Ollama?
OpenClaw performs reasoning through external APIs or local model runtimes.
1. API-based providers (subscription or pay-as-you-go)
- Anthropic (Claude): strong coding quality.
- OpenAI (GPT-4o): broad and fast general capabilities.
- DeepSeek: low-cost, high-performance option.
Set API keys in the OpenClaw Settings interface.
2. Local via Ollama (no token cost)
If you have sufficient local compute (preferably GPU), use Ollama:
- Install Ollama.
- Run a model (for example
ollama run llama3.1). - Select Ollama as provider in OpenClaw.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is OpenClaw free?
Yes. OpenClaw source code is open-source and free. Costs may appear only from API usage or VPS hosting.
Can I use OpenClaw in Romanian?
Yes. Since it relies on modern LLMs, Romanian language support is strong.
Is local OpenClaw deployment secure?
In many cases, yes. It is safer than uploading sensitive data to public cloud chat interfaces because you control runtime and file permissions.
Conclusion
OpenClaw is not just a short-lived X.com trend. It is a practical tool for anyone exploring autonomous AI workflows with full control.
With minimal investment and technical curiosity, you can run your own "Lobster" assistant tailored to your workflow.
For more digitalization and AI tutorials, follow the guides section on creativdigital.ro/guides.
