
The core value of OpenClaw is not just the ability to chat, but that it serves as a self-hosted gateway that connects the chat software, the control interface, the command line portal, and the AI Agent to form a long-term online workflow.
Think of it as a single source of truth for session, routing, and channel connectivity to channels such as Discord, Telegram, Slack, WhatsApp, Signal, iMessage, Microsoft Teams, etc., with a browser Dashboard and TUI entry.
At present, WeChat, QQ, enterprise WeChat, Flybook, Nail and other mainstream IM APPs in mainland China have been fully supported!
The following deployment methods are supported:
- local computer deployment
The advantage is that it's quick out of the box for testing and short experiences.
The problem is that it's hard to get the service online consistently 24/7, and the AI runtime environment is mixed in with your personal files, daily software, and development tools in the same machine with average isolation.
- Cloud Server Deployment
More suitable for long-term operation. Independent instances, stable networks, and continuous online availability also make it easier to use the AI assistant as a “resident service”. Tencent Cloud also lists “always-on,” “secure and isolated,” and “fast deployment” as the main advantages of this route in its OpenClaw feature page.
Option 1: One-click deployment for newly purchased servers
There are 2 things you need to prepare
- 1. Tencent Cloud Account
- Make sure you can log in to the Tencent Cloud console first.Register for a Tencent Cloud account
- 2. Large Model API Key
- It will be used to initialize OpenClaw later, and without the API Key, the service will not be able to talk normally even after it is loaded.
- For example, Qwen, DeepSeek, Volcano Engine, and so on.
Purchase of servers
Step 1: EnterServer Purchase PageSelect OpenClaw template
In the mirror or application template, find the OpenClaw。
Attention:
Here's what to pick OpenClaw Application TemplateIt is not a normal Ubuntu system image.

draw attention to sth.
Direct access toTencent Cloud Purchase PageYou can also go to the Tencent Cloud event page to purchase it.
We recommend going to the event page to purchase the discounted model.

Event Address:https://www.webaiplanet.com/tolink/tencentcloud-china/
Step 2: Select Server Configuration
Open Tencent Cloud Lightweight Application Server Lighthouse Purchase page.

Recommended 2-core 4G, if just normal chatting, 2-core 2G is fine.
Step 3: Select Package and Purchase
For the first time, just select the entry configuration first.
Run through the process first, then upgrade later if you don't have enough.

Step 4: Viewing the OpenClaw Application

In the server list click next to Server Configurationthree-pointOr clickconfigureGo to Server Management
Option 2: One-click deployment on existing servers
If you already have a server under your account and want to deploy through an existing server, you can also implement one-click deployment.
Step 1: Reinstall the system

go intoTencent Cloud China ConsoleIf you want to reinstall your system, find the list of servers and click on the three dots next to the server login, then click on Reinstall System.
Step 2: Select a template

Select the application template at the top and OpenClaw (Lobster) at the bottom.
Finally, click OK to start reinstalling the system
take note of
If you are only testing OpenClaw (Lobster) and your server data needs to be preserved, the reinstallation must be done by selecting theReinstall after backupIf you don't need the data, you can choose to reinstall without backup.
OpenClaw Model Configuration
Step 1: Enter Server Settings

In theTencent Cloud China ConsoleFind the list of servers and click on Configure to enter the server management settings
Step 2: Configure the model

In the model settings, select the model you are ready to use, such as DeepSeek, select the model and fill in the API Key, and then click Add as default.