> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.deepinfra.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# OpenClaw

> Run a fully managed OpenClaw instance — your personal AI assistant with a web dashboard, powered by DeepInfra models.

[OpenClaw](https://openclaw.ai) is the wildly popular open-source personal AI assistant ([github.com/openclaw/openclaw](https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw)) that talks to you on the channels you already use — WhatsApp, Telegram, Slack, Discord, and many more — and acts autonomously on your behalf.

The hosted version gives you a dedicated, always-on OpenClaw instance without running your own server: DeepInfra provisions the VM, installs OpenClaw, wires it to a dedicated DeepInfra API key, and keeps it backed up. You get the full OpenClaw web dashboard plus SSH access.

## Plans

OpenClaw instances are available on the `standard` (2 vCPU, 4 GB RAM) and `budget` (2 vCPU, 2 GB RAM) plans. See [plans and billing](/agents/introduction#plans) for details; current per-hour pricing is shown in the **Create Instance** dialog.

## Create an instance

1. Go to [Dashboard → Hosted Agents](https://deepinfra.com/dash/agents) and click **Create Instance**
2. Enter a **Name**, choose **OpenClaw** as the instance type, and pick a plan
3. Click **Create** — setup is fully automated and takes a few minutes

## Open the dashboard

Once the instance is `running`, click **dashboard** in the Connect column (or **Open Dashboard** in the actions menu). The OpenClaw dashboard opens in a new tab, served securely through DeepInfra — no ports to expose or tunnels to set up.

<Note>
  Right after a start, the instance can take up to \~3 minutes to finish booting. If you see a loading page, it refreshes automatically once the dashboard is up.
</Note>

From the dashboard you can chat with your agent, connect messaging channels, and manage its configuration — everything a self-hosted OpenClaw offers. See the [OpenClaw docs](https://docs.openclaw.ai) for what the assistant itself can do.

## Models

Your instance comes pre-configured with a DeepInfra model, so it works out of the box. You can switch to any model from [our catalog](https://deepinfra.com/models/text-generation) in OpenClaw's settings — for example `deepseek-ai/DeepSeek-V4-Flash`. The agent's model calls are billed as regular inference usage against your account.

## SSH access

Power users can connect directly:

```bash theme={null}
ssh openclaw@<public_ip> -p 2222
```

The public IP and SSH port are shown on the instance details page. Your account's [SSH keys](https://deepinfra.com/dash/ssh_keys) are installed automatically.

<Warning>
  The file `/home/openclaw/config.env` is managed by DeepInfra — manual edits will be overwritten by maintenance. OpenClaw's self-update is disabled on hosted instances; upgrade through the dashboard's **Update** action instead.
</Warning>

## Updating and backups

When a newer OpenClaw version is available, an **Update** action appears — it upgrades in place, with no restart. Backups run automatically every 24 hours; see [Backups](/agents/introduction#backups).

## FAQ

**Why is the dashboard not loading right after I start the instance?**
The VM boots in stages; the dashboard is the last thing to come up (up to \~3 minutes). The loading page retries automatically.

**My agent stopped responding on its channels — what happened?**
Check the instance state at [Dashboard → Hosted Agents](https://deepinfra.com/dash/agents). If it's `stopped` or paused for fair use, start it again. Note that the instance gets a new public IP on restart — dashboard and channel connections are unaffected, but any SSH shortcuts you saved need the new IP.

**Can I customize the instance over SSH?**
Yes — install packages, add skills, edit OpenClaw's own configuration. Just leave `/home/openclaw/config.env` alone and don't re-enable self-update; version upgrades go through the **Update** action.