· OpenClaw Wiki Editorial Team · Tutorials  · 4 min read

How to Deploy OpenClaw on DigitalOcean: The 1-Click Marketplace Guide (2026)

Installing self-hosted AI shouldn't require a Computer Science degree. In this guide, we walk through the "Lazy Method" of deploying OpenClaw using DigitalOcean's 1-Click App—including the critical initialization step most guides miss.

For many users, the biggest barrier to adopting OpenClaw (the AI agent formerly known as Moltbot and Clawdbot) isn’t the cost—it’s the command line.

While running OpenClaw locally via Docker is secure, it requires keeping your computer on 24/7. Moving to the cloud is the logical next step, but setting up a Linux VPS from scratch can be daunting.

Enter DigitalOcean.

In 2026, the OpenClaw team partnered with DigitalOcean to release an official 1-Click App on the Marketplace. This means you no longer need to install Docker, configure environments, or wrestle with dependencies. You simply click “Create,” and the server builds itself.

In this guide, we will walk you through the zero-code deployment process, highlight the one critical step that official documentation often skips, and help you get your AI agent online in under 3 minutes.

🌊 The “Lazy” Method: Why Use the Marketplace?

Before we dive into the steps, it is important to understand why this method is superior for most users compared to a manual install.

  1. Pre-Configured Environment: The Marketplace image comes with Docker, Docker Compose, and the OpenClaw runtime already installed and optimized.
  2. Security Best Practices: The image automatically sets up basic firewall rules and isolates the AI agent, reducing the risk of misconfiguration.
  3. Instant Updates: When you deploy via the Marketplace, you are pulling the latest stable build of OpenClaw/Moltbot automatically.

🚀 Step-by-Step Deployment Guide

Follow these steps exactly to avoid the common “Connection Refused” error that plagues new users.

1. Create the Droplet

Head over to the DigitalOcean console. If you don’t have an account yet, you can use our partner link to get $200 in free credit to test this out risk-free.

  • Navigate to: Create > Droplets.
  • Choose Image: Click on the “Marketplace” tab (not OS) and search for Moltbot or OpenClaw. Select the official image.
  • Select Region: Choose a datacenter closest to you (e.g., San Francisco, London, Singapore).

2. Choose the Right Size (Crucial Tip)

DigitalOcean offers very cheap “Basic” plans, but AI agents are memory-hungry.

  • Avoid: The $4/mo or $6/mo (512MB/1GB RAM) plans. These will often crash when the AI tries to process large context windows.
  • Recommended: The $12/mo (2GB RAM / 1 CPU) plan. This provides enough overhead for the Docker container to run smoothly 24/7.

    Pro Tip: Since you have the $200 free credit, don’t handicap your agent with low RAM. Pick the 2GB or 4GB plan for the best experience.

3. The “Secret” Initialization Step

This is where 90% of users get stuck. After you click “Create Droplet,” you will get an IP address (e.g., 164.92.xx.xx). If you put this IP in your browser immediately, it will not work.

The Marketplace script requires you to login via SSH once to trigger the final installation.

  1. Open your Terminal (Mac/Linux) or Command Prompt (Windows).
  2. Type: ssh root@YOUR_DROPLET_IP
  3. Enter the password you created in Step 1.
  4. Watch the magic: As soon as you log in, you will see a text-based wizard saying:

    Welcome to DigitalOcean’s OpenClaw 1-Click Droplet… Initializing setup…

You may be asked to paste your ANTHROPIC_API_KEY here. Once the script finishes (usually 10 seconds), the Docker container will officially start.

4. Access Your Agent

Now that the initialization is complete, open your web browser and navigate to:

http://YOUR_DROPLET_IP:18789

You should be greeted by the OpenClaw login screen.

🔧 Troubleshooting & Configuration

Even with one-click apps, things can sometimes go wrong. Here are the common fixes.

  • I can’t connect via SSH: Ensure you aren’t using a VPN that blocks port 22. If you are on Windows and “ssh” isn’t recognized, download a free tool called PuTTY.

  • The browser says “Connection Refused”: This almost always means you skipped Step 3. The web server does not start until that first SSH login happens. Go back and log in!

  • How do I update? Unlike the managed version, you control this server. To update OpenClaw, log in via SSH and run:

    Terminal window
    docker pull ghcr.io/openclaw/openclaw:latest
    docker-compose up -d

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is this method free? A: The OpenClaw software is free, but you pay DigitalOcean for the server hosting (starting at ~$6-12/mo). However, using our referral link gives you 2 months free ($200 credit).

Q: Is it safe to leave this running? A: Yes. The Marketplace image runs OpenClaw inside a Docker container, meaning it is sandboxed from the core operating system.

Q: Can I use a custom domain instead of an IP? A: Absolutely. You can add an “A Record” in your domain DNS settings pointing to your Droplet’s IP address.

🏁 Conclusion

DigitalOcean’s Marketplace offering transforms the complex task of hosting an AI agent into a simple 5-minute task. It bridges the gap between the power of self-hosted AI and the convenience of SaaS.

By following the steps above—especially the initialization login—you ensure a stable, always-on environment for your digital workforce.

Ready to deploy? 👉 Click here to claim your $200 DigitalOcean credit and launch OpenClaw today.

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