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The generate command (default) scaffolds a production-ready OpenClaw stack with customizable services, presets, and deployment configurations.

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Usage

create-better-openclaw [project-directory] [options]
create-better-openclaw generate [project-directory] [options]
If no project directory is specified, you’ll be prompted to enter one or the current directory will be used.

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Arguments

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project-directory
string
Directory name for the generated project. If not provided, you’ll be prompted interactively.

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Options

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Interactive mode

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-y, --yes
boolean
default:"false"
Use default configuration and skip the interactive wizard.
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--open
boolean
default:"false"
Open the web UI stack builder at https://better-openclaw.dev/new in your browser instead of using the CLI.

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Service configuration

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--services
string
Comma-separated service IDs to include in the stack (e.g., postgres,redis,qdrant).
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--skills
string
Comma-separated skill pack IDs to include.
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--preset
string
Use a preset stack configuration. Available: minimal, creator, researcher, devops, full.

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AI provider configuration

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--ai-providers
string
default:"openai"
Comma-separated AI providers: openai, anthropic, google, xai, deepseek, groq, openrouter, mistral, together, ollama, lmstudio, vllm.
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--llm
string
LLM provider shortcut (e.g., anthropic, openai, ollama) that auto-configures the AI provider.

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Proxy configuration

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--proxy
string
default:"none"
Reverse proxy type: none, caddy, or traefik.
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--proxy-http-port
number
default:"80"
Custom HTTP port for reverse proxy.
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--proxy-https-port
number
default:"443"
Custom HTTPS port for reverse proxy.
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--domain
string
Domain for reverse proxy with auto-SSL certificate provisioning.

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Deployment configuration

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--deployment
string
default:"local"
Deployment target: local, vps, homelab, or clawexa.
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--deployment-type
string
default:"docker"
Deployment type: docker or bare-metal.
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--deploy
string
default:"local"
Deploy target: local (default) or cloud-init (VPS provisioning).

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Infrastructure options

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--monitoring
boolean
Include monitoring stack (Prometheus, Grafana).
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--no-monitoring
boolean
Explicitly exclude monitoring stack.
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--gpu
boolean
default:"false"
Enable GPU passthrough for AI services.
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--platform
string
default:"linux/amd64"
Target platform architecture: linux/amd64, linux/arm64, windows/amd64, macos/amd64, or macos/arm64.

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Docker image options

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--image
string
default:"official"
OpenClaw Docker image variant: official, coolify, or alpine.

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Security options

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--no-hardened
boolean
default:"false"
Disable security hardening (cap_drop, no-new-privileges flags).

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Output options

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--output-format
string
default:"directory"
Output format: directory, tar, or zip.
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--force
boolean
default:"false"
Overwrite existing project directory if it exists.
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--dry-run
boolean
default:"false"
Show what would be generated without writing any files.

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Global options

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--json
boolean
default:"false"
Output results as JSON for programmatic use.

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Examples

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Interactive mode

create-better-openclaw
Runs the interactive wizard to guide you through stack configuration.

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Quick start with defaults

create-better-openclaw my-stack --yes
Generates a stack with default settings in the my-stack directory.

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Using a preset

create-better-openclaw my-stack --preset researcher
Generates a researcher preset stack with services optimized for research workflows.

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Custom service selection

create-better-openclaw my-stack --services postgres,redis,qdrant --ai-providers anthropic,openai
Generates a stack with specific services and AI providers.

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With reverse proxy and SSL

create-better-openclaw my-stack --preset full --proxy caddy --domain openclaw.example.com
Generates a full stack with Caddy reverse proxy and automatic SSL for the specified domain.

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With monitoring and GPU

create-better-openclaw my-stack --preset creator --monitoring --gpu
Generates a creator preset with monitoring stack and GPU passthrough enabled.

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Dry run to preview

create-better-openclaw my-stack --preset minimal --dry-run
Shows what would be generated without creating any files.

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Web UI

create-better-openclaw --open
Opens the visual stack builder at https://better-openclaw.dev/new in your browser.

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Non-interactive mode requirements

When running in a non-TTY environment (e.g., CI/CD), you must provide one of:
  • --yes - Use default configuration
  • --preset <name> - Use a preset
  • --services <ids> - Provide service IDs
Otherwise, the command will exit with an error.

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Output

The command generates:
  • docker-compose.yml - Main Docker Compose configuration
  • .env - Environment variables and secrets
  • README.md - Setup and usage instructions
  • Service-specific configuration files
  • Optional: monitoring configs, proxy configs, backup scripts

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Terminal output example

$ create-better-openclaw my-stack --preset researcher --monitoring

✓ Validating configuration...
✓ Resolving dependencies...
✓ Generating docker-compose.yml...
✓ Generating .env file...
✓ Writing service configs...

✨ Stack generated successfully!

  Services:  8
  Memory:    ~4096MB
  
  Next steps:
    cd my-stack
    docker compose up -d
    
  Access OpenClaw at http://localhost:3000

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