A simplified, clear framework for managing our #1 deployed Docker platform.
OpenClaw is an open-source platform hosting a 24/7 personal AI agent that routes complex prompts from chat apps out to live artificial intelligence models.
Always ask a client: "Are you using Docker Manager or Standalone?" This single question defines your troubleshooting boundary.
| Installation Path | Where It's Managed | Support Boundaries | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Docker Manager | hPanel GUI (Visual One-Click) | Full Infrastructure Support | Recommended (90% of Users) |
| Standalone Template | Terminal / SSH Manual Script | Limited Support (Redirect to Docs) | Deprecated / Dead |
Go to hPanel ➔ VPS ➔ Docker Manager ➔ Projects. If OpenClaw isn't explicitly listed here, it is a Standalone deployment.
docker exec -it <container_name> bash. I highly recommend migrating to our Docker Manager template for full automated support."
The client builds the VPS with OpenClaw preselected during payment setup. A mandatory initialization window will populate the default settings.
User navigates to the Docker Catalog inside hPanel and triggers deployment.
Warning: If their active OS isn't 'Ubuntu with Docker', changing it will permanently wipe all current server data. Backups are required.
A green "Running" badge inside hPanel only means the container is powered on—it does not mean the app is running smoothly internally. Track down faults using this strict hierarchy:
VPS Server Running? ➔ Docker Container Active? ➔ Gateway Token Matching? ➔ AI Credits Active? ➔ Chat App Linked?
The Ultimate Isolation Shortcut. Have the client click the Chat tab inside the dashboard and type "Hello".
Verifies communication sockets. If a platform badge reads Unreachable or Disconnected, click Manage ➔ Restart in hPanel to force a clean socket reload. If it remains broken, it must be re-paired.
Ensure the agent profile (typically named main) has an active model selected under its Model Selection panel. Running blank means it has no active brain.
This is the #1 customer issue. If a user loses or skips saving their password token during the initial build window, they are locked out. You never need to reset it. It is permanently stored in clear text.
Go to Docker Manager ➔ Projects ➔ OpenClaw ➔ Manage ➔ Environment Variables. Locate the value associated with OPENCLAW_GATEWAY_TOKEN.
OpenClaw can run on unified Nexos Credits (managed through Hostinger) or the user's Personal API Keys (OpenAI, Anthropic).
To verify if a token is dead or alive, run this models request from the VPS command terminal:
curl -L --url 'https://api.nexos.ai/v1/models' --header 'Authorization: Bearer INSERT_NEXOS_KEY_HERE'