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The /deploy command deploys a previously configured OpenClaw instance to your chosen cloud provider. It provisions the VPS, installs dependencies, configures OpenClaw, and sets up Tailscale (if enabled).

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Usage

/deploy

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Deployment Process

The deploy command follows these steps:

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1. Select Deployment

Choose which configuration to deploy: 
/deploy - Select a deployment to deploy

Use arrow keys to select, Enter to deploy:

┌────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ > my-openclaw-server   [not_deployed]  hetzner │
│   production-instance  [deployed]      hetzner │
│   staging-test        [not_deployed]   digitalocean │
└────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Not-yet-deployed configurations appear first in the list for easy access.

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2. Confirmation

Review what will be deployed: 
/deploy - Confirm deployment

Deploy "my-openclaw-server"?

This will:
• Create a VPS on hetzner
• Install and configure OpenClaw
• Set up Tailscale for secure access

Estimated cost: ~$4.99/month (Hetzner CPX11)

Press Y to confirm, N to cancel

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3. Deployment Progress

Watch real-time progress: 
Deploying: my-openclaw-server

[████████████████████░░░░] 75%
Current: Installing OpenClaw

Deployment Log
[14:23:45] Starting deployment: my-openclaw-server
[14:23:47] Creating SSH key pair
[14:23:48] Uploading SSH key to Hetzner
[14:23:49] Creating server: CPX11 in ash
[14:24:01] Server created: 192.0.2.123
[14:24:03] Waiting for SSH to become available
[14:24:15] Installing system updates
[14:24:45] Installing Node.js 20.x
[14:25:10] Installing OpenClaw
[14:25:30] Configuring OpenClaw agent

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Deployment Steps

The deployment process includes these checkpoints:
  1. SSH Key Generation - Creates a unique SSH key pair
  2. Key Upload - Uploads public key to cloud provider
  3. Server Provisioning - Creates the VPS instance
  4. Connection Wait - Waits for SSH to become available
  5. System Updates - Updates Ubuntu packages
  6. Node.js Installation - Installs Node.js 20.x
  7. OpenClaw Installation - Installs OpenClaw globally
  8. OpenClaw Configuration - Sets up the agent configuration
  9. Service Setup - Creates systemd service
  10. Tailscale Setup (if enabled) - Configures VPN access
  11. Interactive Onboarding - Opens terminal for setup

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Interactive Steps

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Tailscale Authentication

If Tailscale is enabled, you’ll be prompted to authenticate: 
Confirmation Required

Tailscale is starting. Please authenticate:

1. A browser window will open
2. Log in to your Tailscale account
3. Approve the machine

Ready to open browser?

Press Y for Yes, N for No
Press Y and a browser opens to the Tailscale login page.

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OpenClaw Onboarding

After initial setup, an interactive terminal opens: 
Interactive Setup

A terminal window has been opened.

Instructions:
1. Complete the setup in the terminal window
2. Follow the prompts shown in the terminal
3. When done, close the terminal window
4. Press Enter here to continue

Press Enter when you have completed the setup in the terminal
In the new terminal: 
root@my-openclaw-server:~# openclaw onboard

Welcome to OpenClaw!

This will guide you through the initial setup.

? Enter your workspace name: My Workspace
? Select tools to enable:
  ◉ bash
  ◉ file_editor
  ◉ browser

✓ Configuration saved
✓ Service started

Setup complete! You can close this terminal window.

=== Setup complete! You can close this terminal window. ===
Press Enter to close...

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Resume Capability

Deployments are checkpoint-based. If a deployment fails, you can run /deploy again and it will resume from the last successful checkpoint. 
Deployment Failed

Something went wrong during deployment.

Error: Connection timeout at checkpoint: install_openclaw

What you can do:
  1. Run /deploy again - it will resume from the last successful step
  2. Run /status to check the current state of your deployment
  3. Run /destroy and /new to start fresh if the issue persists

Press any key to return to home

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Success

When deployment completes: 
Deployment Successful!

Your OpenClaw instance is now running.

Connection Details
Server IP:      192.0.2.123
Tailscale IP:   100.64.0.5
Gateway Port:   18789

Next steps:
  /ssh  - Connect to your server
  /logs - View OpenClaw logs
  Gateway: http://100.64.0.5:18789/

Press any key to return to home

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Example Terminal Session

> /deploy

/deploy - Select a deployment to deploy

┌────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ > production-claude   [not_deployed]  hetzner │
└────────────────────────────────────────────┘

[Enter]

Deploy "production-claude"?

This will:
• Create a VPS on hetzner
• Install and configure OpenClaw
• Set up Tailscale for secure access

Press Y to confirm, N to cancel

[Y]

Deploying: production-claude

[████████████████████████] 100%
Current: Deployment complete

✓ Deployment Successful!

Connection Details
Server IP:      203.0.113.45
Tailscale IP:   100.64.0.12
Gateway Port:   18789

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Tips

Have your Tailscale credentials ready before deploying if you’ve enabled Tailscale. The deployment will pause to wait for authentication.
Deployments can take 5-10 minutes to complete. Don’t close ClawControl during deployment - checkpoints allow safe resumption if interrupted.

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Troubleshooting

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Deployment Stuck

If deployment appears stuck:
  1. Wait at least 2 minutes - some steps take time
  2. Press Ctrl+C to cancel
  3. Run /status to check current state
  4. Run /deploy again to resume

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SSH Connection Failed

Error: Connection timeout at checkpoint: wait_for_ssh
  • Cloud provider may be slow provisioning
  • Firewall rules may be blocking SSH
  • Run /deploy again to retry

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Tailscale Authentication Failed

Error: Tailscale authentication timeout
  • You may have missed the browser authentication window
  • Run /deploy again
  • Choose “Yes” when prompted to open browser
  • Complete authentication within 5 minutes

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Next Steps

Status Command

Monitor your deployment

SSH Command

Connect to your server

Logs Command

View application logs

Dashboard Command

Open web interface

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