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How to Install and Configure OpenClaw on Debian

Install OpenClaw on Debian instantly. This guide walks you through every step — from Node.js setup to connecting your AI agent on Telegram or WhatsApp.

10 min read
Mar 20, 2026
Ampere Team

Debian is one of the most stable and widely used Linux distributions — and a great choice for running OpenClaw. Whether you're on Debian 11 (Bullseye) or 12 (Bookworm), the OpenClaw Linux installer works natively with no workarounds required. Install Node.js, run one curl command, and your AI agent is live.

This guide covers every step — from system setup to connecting your agent on Telegram or WhatsApp. Want to skip the setup? Ampere.sh runs OpenClaw for you in the cloud.

Debian 11 vs 12 — Which Version to Use?

Both Debian 11 (Bullseye) and Debian 12 (Bookworm) work well with OpenClaw. Here's a quick comparison:

Feature
Debian 11 (Bullseye)
Debian 12 (Bookworm)
Support Until
June 2026
June 2028
Node.js 22 via NodeSource
✅ Supported
✅ Supported
systemd
247
252
OpenClaw Compatibility
✅ Fully compatible
✅ Fully compatible
Recommended For
Existing servers
New installs (best choice)

TL;DR: For new setups, go with Debian 12 (Bookworm) — longer support and latest tooling. Already on Debian 11? Stay on it — everything works perfectly.

Debian Requirements for OpenClaw

Make sure your Debian machine meets these requirements before you start:

Requirement
Minimum
Recommended
Debian Version
11 (Bullseye)
12 (Bookworm)
Node.js
22.16+ (LTS)
Node 24
RAM
512 MB
1 GB+
Disk Space
500 MB free
1 GB+ free
User Access
sudo privileges
Non-root user with sudo

Note: Debian minimal installs sometimes don't include sudo. If you get "command not found", install it as root: apt install sudo -y, then run usermod -aG sudo your-username and log out/in.

How to Install OpenClaw on Debian (Step by Step)

Follow these steps in order. The entire process takes about 10 minutes on a fresh Debian install.

Step 1: Update Your System

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y sudo apt install -y curl wget git
Debian terminal showing apt update and upgrade running on Debian 12 Bookworm

Step 2: Install Node.js 22+ via NodeSource

Debian's default apt repositories ship an outdated Node.js version. Use NodeSource to get Node 22:

curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_22.x | sudo -E bash - sudo apt install -y nodejs # Verify node --version # Should show v22.x.x or higher npm --version
Debian terminal showing NodeSource Node.js 22 installation and version verification

Step 3: Run the OpenClaw Linux Installer

curl -fsSL https://install.openclaw.ai | bash

After the installer finishes, reload your shell:

source ~/.bashrc openclaw --version
OpenClaw curl installer running in Debian terminal with successful version verification

Step 4: Run the Onboarding Wizard

openclaw onboard
  1. Accept the security advisory — select "Yes, I understand"
  2. Choose QuickStart mode for safe defaults
  3. Select your AI provider (OpenAI, Claude, Gemini, or others)
  4. Enter your AI provider API key
  5. Skip skills for now — you can add skills later
  6. Enable bash shell completion when prompted
OpenClaw onboarding wizard in Debian terminal showing AI provider selection screen

Step 5: Connect a Messaging Channel

Option A: Telegram

  1. Open Telegram and search for @BotFather
  2. Send /newbot and follow the prompts
  3. Copy the bot token BotFather gives you
  4. Run: openclaw connect telegram — paste the token when prompted
  5. Your agent is now live on Telegram

Option B: WhatsApp

  1. Run: openclaw connect whatsapp
  2. Scan the QR code with WhatsApp on your phone
  3. Go to Settings → Linked Devices → Link a Device

Step 6: Enable Auto-Start with systemd

openclaw onboard --install-daemon systemctl status openclaw

You should see Active: active (running). OpenClaw now starts automatically on every reboot.

Step 7: Secure the Port with UFW

sudo apt install -y ufw sudo ufw allow ssh sudo ufw deny 18789 sudo ufw enable

Dashboard stays accessible locally at http://localhost:18789. For full hardening, see the OpenClaw security guide.

Real Use Cases of OpenClaw on Debian

Once your agent is live, here's what people actually use OpenClaw for on Debian:

Server Monitoring via Chat

Message your agent on Telegram to check CPU usage, disk space, memory, or uptime — without opening an SSH terminal.

Scheduled Automations

Run daily backups, cleanup scripts, or reports automatically using cron jobs on Debian and OpenClaw skills.

Personal Dev Assistant

Ask your agent to review code, explain error logs, write bash scripts, or summarize documentation from any device.

Custom Alerts and Notifications

Set up alerts for website downtime, high server load, or file changes and get instant Telegram or WhatsApp messages.

Research and Summarization

Ask your agent to search the web, summarize articles, or pull content from URLs — results delivered straight to your chat.

File and Data Management

Organize folders, rename files in bulk, process CSVs, or summarize documents through a simple chat command.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does OpenClaw work on Debian 10 (Buster)?
Debian 10 is not recommended — Node.js 22 (required) is harder to install on older releases. Debian 11 (Bullseye) or 12 (Bookworm) are the supported versions for OpenClaw.
Do I need a desktop environment to run OpenClaw on Debian?
No — OpenClaw runs entirely as a background daemon. Debian Server (no GUI) works perfectly. Connect your agent to Telegram, WhatsApp, or Discord and interact from your phone.
Does Debian have sudo installed by default?
Not always. Debian minimal installs sometimes skip sudo. Install it with: apt install sudo -y (as root), then add your user: usermod -aG sudo your-username. Log out and back in for changes to take effect.
How much RAM does OpenClaw need on Debian?
Minimum 512MB RAM. For comfortable performance with AI tasks, 1GB or more is recommended. A basic $4–6/month VPS running Debian is enough for a personal OpenClaw agent.
How do I check if OpenClaw is running on Debian?
Run 'systemctl status openclaw' if you installed the daemon, or 'openclaw status' from the terminal. You can also check 'ps aux | grep openclaw' to confirm the process is active.
How do I update OpenClaw on Debian?
Run 'openclaw update' from the terminal, or re-run the install command: curl -fsSL https://install.openclaw.ai | bash. This updates to the latest version without losing your config.
Can I run OpenClaw on a Debian VPS?
Yes — Debian is one of the most popular OS choices for VPS hosting. Any Debian VPS with 1GB RAM works well. For a fully managed option, Ampere.sh deploys OpenClaw for you.
Where does OpenClaw store its config on Debian?
At ~/.openclaw/openclaw.json — same path on all Linux platforms. View it with 'cat ~/.openclaw/openclaw.json' and edit it with any text editor.

Skip the Setup — Let Ampere.sh Run OpenClaw for You

Don't want to manage a Debian server? Ampere.sh deploys and maintains your OpenClaw agent in the cloud — no setup, no terminal, no maintenance.

Try Ampere.sh