# 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. **Published:** Mar 20, 2026 | **Author:** Michael Park | **Read time:** 10 min read Learn how to install and configure OpenClaw on Debian. Step-by-step guide covering Node.js setup, AI provider, and connecting your AI agent on Telegram. --- 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](https://www.ampere.sh/) runs OpenClaw for you in the cloud. 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](https://www.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: **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: **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### Step 1: Update Your System ### Step 2: Install Node.js 22+ via NodeSource Debian's default apt repositories ship an outdated Node.js version.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: ### Step 3: Run the OpenClaw Linux Installer After the installer finishes, reload your shell: ### Step 4: Run the Onboarding Wizard - Accept the security advisory — select **"Yes, I understand"** - Choose **QuickStart** mode for safe defaults - Select your AI provider (OpenAI, Claude, Gemini, or others) - Enter your AI provider API key - Skip skills for now — you can [add skills later](/blog/best-openclaw-skills/) - Enable bash shell completion when prompted ### Step 5: Connect a Messaging Channel ### Option A: Telegram - Open Telegram and search for **@BotFather** - Send `/newbot` and follow the prompts - Copy the bot token BotFather gives you - Run: `openclaw connect telegram` — paste the token when prompted - Your agent is now live on Telegram ### Option B: WhatsApp - Run: `openclaw connect whatsapp` - Scan the QR code with WhatsApp on your phone - Go to **Settings → Linked Devices → Link a Device** ### Step 6: Enable Auto-Start with systemd You should see `Active: active (running)`. OpenClaw now starts automatically on every reboot. ### Step 7: Secure the Port with UFW 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. ## 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](https://www.ampere.sh/setup) ## 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.