API Key Setup
Before deploying to Hetzner, you need to obtain an API key:- Sign up for a Hetzner Cloud account
- Navigate to your project in the Hetzner Cloud Console
- Go to Security → API Tokens
- Click Generate API Token
- Give it a descriptive name (e.g., “ClawControl”)
- Select Read & Write permissions
- Copy the token immediately (it won’t be shown again)
Configuration Options
Hetzner deployments support the following configuration options:Server Type
Choose from various server types based on your needs:| Server Type | vCPUs | RAM | Disk | Price/Month (US East) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| cpx11 (default) | 2 | 2 GB | 40 GB | ~$4.99 |
| cpx21 | 3 | 4 GB | 80 GB | ~$9.99 |
| cpx31 | 4 | 8 GB | 160 GB | ~$19.99 |
| cpx41 | 8 | 16 GB | 240 GB | ~$39.99 |
Location
Available Hetzner locations:- ash (Ashburn, VA, USA) - Default, lowest latency for US East
- fsn1 (Falkenstein, Germany)
- nbg1 (Nuremberg, Germany)
- hel1 (Helsinki, Finland)
- hil (Hillsboro, OR, USA)
Image
ClawControl uses ubuntu-24.04 as the default operating system image, which is fully tested and supported.Default Configuration
When you create a new Hetzner deployment, these defaults are used:Creating a Deployment
Using the ClawControl CLI:- Deployment Name: A unique identifier for this deployment
- API Key: Your Hetzner API token
- Server Type: Choose from available options (default: cpx11)
- Location: Select a datacenter location (default: ash)
- OpenClaw Configuration: AI provider, model, and channel settings
Deployment Process
When you run/deploy, ClawControl will:
- Create SSH Key: Generates and uploads an SSH key to Hetzner
- Provision Server: Creates a new server with your specifications
- Configure System: Installs Node.js, Chrome, and dependencies
- Install OpenClaw: Deploys and configures the OpenClaw agent
- Setup Tailscale: Configures secure VPN access (optional)
- Start Services: Launches OpenClaw as a systemd service
The entire deployment process typically takes 5-10 minutes depending on server provisioning time.
API Operations
ClawControl uses the Hetzner Cloud API to manage your deployment:Server Management
- Create, delete, and list servers
- Power on/off and reboot operations
- Monitor server status and wait for ready state
SSH Key Management
- Upload public SSH keys for secure access
- List and delete SSH keys
- Retrieve SSH key details by ID
Resource Information
- List available server types and pricing
- Query available locations and regions
- Check action status and progress
Monitoring Your Deployment
After deployment, use these commands to monitor your instance:Pricing and Billing
Hetzner charges are:- Hourly billing with monthly caps
- No data transfer fees for the first 20TB
- Automated billing charged to your payment method
Advanced Configuration
Custom Server Types
If you need more resources, you can specify different server types:- CX series: Shared vCPU (cost-effective)
- CPX series: Dedicated vCPU (balanced, default)
- CCX series: High-performance dedicated CPUs
Regional Considerations
Choose your location based on:- Latency: Select the region closest to your users
- Compliance: EU regions for GDPR compliance
- Pricing: Prices may vary slightly by region
Troubleshooting
API Key Issues
If you encounter authentication errors:- Verify your API key has Read & Write permissions
- Ensure the token hasn’t been deleted or expired
- Check that you’re using the correct project
Server Creation Failures
Common issues:- Quota limits: Check your Hetzner project limits
- Region availability: Try a different location if servers are unavailable
- Resource limits: Ensure your account has sufficient resources
Connection Problems
If SSH connection fails:- Verify the server is in “running” state
- Check that SSH keys were properly uploaded
- Ensure your local SSH client is configured correctly
Cleanup and Deletion
To remove a deployment:- Delete the server from Hetzner
- Remove uploaded SSH keys
- Clean up local configuration files