Quickly deploy and use OpenClaw to simplify automation workflows and improve O&M efficiency. - Simple Application Server

OpenClaw is an open source, local-first AI agent and automation platform. You can use OpenClaw to integrate multi-channel communication capabilities with large language models and create customized AI assistants with persistent memory and proactive execution abilities.

Important

OpenClaw is an open source AI assistant. Before you use it, you must thoroughly evaluate its security and stability and strictly follow the license agreement to ensure the safety of your system environment and data.

Step 1: Purchase an OpenClaw plan

Important

If you already have a Simple Application Server, you can skip this step and deploy OpenClaw by resetting the system. During the reset, select the OpenClaw image from the application images. Resetting the system erases all data on the system disk of your Simple Application Server. You must back up your data as needed. For more information, see Reset system.

Purchase a Simple Application Server with Moltbot preinstalled.
This application image runs on Alibaba Cloud Linux 3.2104 LTS 64-bit and is provided by Alibaba Cloud Compute Nest.
On the Simple Application Server page, resource configurations are preset. To change any configuration item, refer to the following:
- Instance: Memory must be 2 GiB or higher. You can switch plans based on your needs.
- Region: Default is US (Virginia).
- Purchase duration: Default is 12 months. You can adjust the duration as needed.

Step 2: Configure OpenClaw

Go to the Alibaba Cloud Model Studio, then go to the API Key Management page and click Create API Key.
Warning
Keep your Model Studio API key secure. If leaked, third parties could impersonate you and misuse it, incurring unexpected token charges.
On the Servers page, click the instance ID on your server card to go to the Server Overview page.
Click the Application Details tab to configure OpenClaw.
1. Open ports: Open the required ports in the firewall. Click One-click Open.
2. For Configure OpenClaw, click Run Command, enter your Model Studio API key, and click Next.
3. Access control page: Click Run Command to get the Clawdbot conversation URL.
View your token. In Help > Token Configuration, click Run Command to retrieve your token.
Warning
Do not share the full URL that contains your token. This link includes your authentication credentials. Anyone with this link can bypass login verification and gain administrative permission to your OpenClaw console.
Enable Response API access.
1. In the navigation pane on the left of the Clawdbot page, click Setting > Config.
2. In the navigation pane on the left of the Config page, click Gateway, switch to the Http tab, toggle Enabled to on in the Responses section, and click Save.

References

You can use Tailscale to build a secure tunnel between your Mac and OpenClaw to manage iMessage on your Mac. For more information, see Call iMessage using OpenClaw (formerly Clawdbot).

FAQ

How do I change the model used by OpenClaw?

On the Simple Application Server console - Servers page, click the instance ID on the server card where OpenClaw is deployed to open the Server Overview page.
Click the Application Details tab. On the Access Control Page, click Quick View to open the Clawdbot conversation window.
Click Config > Agents, search for Primary Model, and change it to a model available in Model Studio. Use the format alibaba-cloud/model code, such as alibaba-cloud/qwen3-max-2026-01-23. You can find the model code on the Model Studio model marketplace.
Important
The model code qwen3-max is currently not supported. Choose another model code such as qwen3-max-2026-01-23 or qwen3-max-preview.