OpenClaw is an open-source, local-first AI agent and automation platform. You can use OpenClaw to deeply integrate multi-channel communication capabilities with large language models (LLMs) to create custom AI assistants with persistent memory and proactive execution capabilities.
OpenClaw is an open-source AI assistant. Before you use it, fully assess its security and stability and strictly follow the license agreement to protect your system and data.
Billing
Deploying and using the OpenClaw service on a Simple Application Server instance incurs the following fees:
-
Simple Application Server fees: For more information, see Simple Application Server billing overview.
-
Model invocation fees: These fees are determined by the model provider and the specific model you choose.
Purchase an OpenClaw package
If you already have a Simple Application Server instance, you can skip this step and deploy OpenClaw by resetting the system. When resetting the system, select the OpenClaw image under Application Images. A system reset erases all data on the system disk, so you must back up your data first. For instructions, see Reset a system. To preserve workspace data such as the AI assistant's memory, identity configuration, and Skills, refer to Back up and restore data for OpenClaw version upgrades.
-
Purchase a Simple Application Server instance with the OpenClaw application pre-installed.
-
On the Simple Application Server page, the resources are preconfigured. You can modify these settings as follows:
-
Servers: The memory must be at least 2 GiB. You can switch packages based on your needs.
-
Region: The default is China (Beijing).
-
Purchase Settings: The default subscription period is 12 months. You can change the duration as needed.
-
Configure OpenClaw
OpenClaw offers two configuration methods. Select the tab that corresponds to your image version to view the steps.
OpenClaw 2026.5.19 and later (Recommended)
-
Log on to the Simple Application Server console. Click the instance ID on the server card. On the Server Overview page, click the Application Details tab.
-
In the lower-left corner of the application details page, click the Initialize button, and complete Step 1: Model Configuration in the initialization wizard that appears.
-
Large Model Platform: Select a model provider from the drop-down list. Supported providers include Alibaba Cloud Model Studio Token Plan (Team Edition), AI coding plan, Alibaba Cloud Model Studio, deepseek, Kimi, GLM Coding Plan, and Zhipu.
-
API key: Select the region for your API key and enter the API key.
-
Model: Select or manually enter the model name.
After completing the configuration, click Configure Now to proceed.
-
-
In the wizard, under Step 2: Use Web UI, first click Allow in the Allow OpenClaw Access Port area to open the port. Then, click Log on to Web UI to go to the OpenClaw WebUI and interact with the OpenClaw agent.
ImportantAllowing port access exposes the service to the public internet. After initialization, you can disable public access at any time by using the Public Access toggle switch in the status bar at the top of the application details page. For instructions, refer to How do I enable or disable public access for the OpenClaw WebUI?.
-
(Optional) View the token. After initialization, you can copy the full token by clicking the copy icon next to the Token field in the status bar at the top of the application details page.
WarningDo not share the full URL that contains the token. This link includes authentication credentials. Anyone with this link can bypass login verification and gain administrator permissions for your OpenClaw console.
Versions earlier than OpenClaw 2026.5.19
-
In the Simple Application Server console, click the instance ID on the server card. On the Server Overview page, click the Application Details tab.
-
In the OpenClaw Usage Steps section, under Allow Port Access, click Run Command to open the firewall port for the OpenClaw service.
Important-
To prevent malicious scanning and targeted attacks, OpenClaw no longer uses a fixed default port during initialization. Instead, it generates a random port. You can view the OpenClaw port number in the console.
-
Allowing port access exposes the service to the public internet. You can disable public access to the WebUI with a single click. For instructions, refer to How do I enable or disable public access to the OpenClaw WebUI?
-
-
Under Configure OpenClaw, click Run Command to configure the Alibaba Cloud Model Studio API key.
You can configure two types of Alibaba Cloud Model Studio API keys:
-
AI coding plan exclusive API key (Recommended): This plan provides a monthly request quota for a fixed fee. Calls that exceed the quota are blocked, incurring no additional charges and preventing unexpected costs.
The AI coding plan currently supports models such as
qwen3.5-plus,kimi-k2.5,MiniMax-M2.5, andglm-5. For a complete list of supported models, refer to AI coding plan overview. -
Pay-as-you-go Alibaba Cloud Model Studio API key.
Configure the API key. Select an API key for an AI coding plan from the drop-down list or enter a pay-as-you-go API key. After selecting a model, click Next.
If you manually enter an API key, ensure that the selected region matches the region of the API key. Otherwise, model invocations will fail.
ImportantYou cannot configure an Alibaba Cloud Model Studio Token Plan during initialization. Attempting to do so will cause an error. To use a Token Plan, complete the initialization first and then refer to How do I integrate an Alibaba Cloud Model Studio Token Plan (Team Edition) with OpenClaw?.
-
-
Under Access Web UI Panel, click Run Command to retrieve the URL for the OpenClaw WebUI. You can use this URL to interact with the agent in a web browser.
If needed, you can disable public access to the WebUI with one click. For instructions, refer to Disable public access to the OpenClaw WebUI.
-
(Optional) View the token.
Go to and click View to retrieve and save the token.
WarningDo not share the full URL that contains the token. This link includes authentication credentials. Anyone with this link can bypass login verification and gain administrator permissions for your OpenClaw console.
Configure messaging channels
OpenClaw can communicate with you through various chat applications. All channels support text messages, but support for replies with images, videos, and other media types varies by channel.Alibaba Cloud provides quick access channels for DingTalk, Lark, WeChat, WeCom, and QQ on the application details page in the Simple Application Server console. For instructions, refer to the following documents. For OpenClaw 2026.5.19 and later, you can click Add Channel in the Channels card on the application details page for quick setup.
Personalize OpenClaw
Generic agents provide a standardized experience that is often unsuitable for specific interaction scenarios. To truly integrate your OpenClaw agent into your business workflows, such as for immersive role-playing or formal enterprise customer service, OpenClaw provides personalization capabilities. Alibaba Cloud provides configuration examples for some scenarios. For more information, refer to OpenClaw personalization templates and scenario examples.
The configuration files include:
-
Personality definition (SOUL.md): Defines the AI agent's core values, conversational style (such as formal, humorous, or concise), and behavioral guidelines.
-
Identity definition (IDENTITY.md): Defines the AI agent's name, self-perception, background story, and role.
-
Workflow definition (AGENTS.md): Defines the AI agent's logic for processing tasks, rules for using tools, and workflows.
Procedure: Go to and click Edit to modify the configuration files. For examples of scenario-based configurations, refer to OpenClaw personalization templates and scenario examples.
FAQ
How do I restart the OpenClaw gateway?
If you encounter a connection interruption or service outage, you can restart the OpenClaw gateway in the console. The procedure varies depending on your image version:
-
For OpenClaw 2026.5.19 and later: Go to the application details page. In the Gateway Status area of the top status bar, click Restart.
-
For versions earlier than OpenClaw 2026.5.19: Go to and click Run Command.
How to view the OpenClaw port?
To prevent malicious scanning and targeted attacks, OpenClaw no longer uses a fixed default port during initialization. Instead, it generates a random port. The procedure to view the port varies depending on your image version:
-
For OpenClaw 2026.5.19 and later: Go to the application details page. You can find the port number directly in the Port field in the top status bar. Click the copy icon to copy the port number.
-
For versions earlier than OpenClaw 2026.5.19: Go to and click Run Command to view the OpenClaw port number.
How to change the OpenClaw model?
You can switch between different models for OpenClaw in the console. The procedure varies depending on your image version:
-
For OpenClaw 2026.5.19 and later: Go to the application details page. In the Models card, find the configured model and click Switch Model to select a different one, or click Add Model to connect to a new model provider. This version supports multiple providers, including AI coding plan, Alibaba Cloud Model Studio Token Plan, Alibaba Cloud Model Studio, deepseek, Kimi, GLM Coding Plan, and Zhipu.
-
For versions earlier than OpenClaw 2026.5.19: Go to , delete the default model, and then select a different Alibaba Cloud Model Studio model from the drop-down list.
How to enable or disable public access?
You can enable or disable public access to the OpenClaw WebUI with a single click as needed. The procedure varies depending on your image version:
-
For OpenClaw 2026.5.19 and later: Go to the application details page and use the toggle switch in the Public Access area of the top status bar.
-
For versions earlier than OpenClaw 2026.5.19: Go to and click Enable / Disable to control public access for the OpenClaw WebUI.
What happens to OpenClaw on server shutdown?
Yes, OpenClaw stops when the server is shut down and automatically resumes when the server is started. If you need to temporarily disable the service without shutting down the server, you can turn off public access for the WebUI by using the Public Access switch on the application details page. For instructions, refer to How do I enable or disable public access for the OpenClaw WebUI?.
Why is my API key not recognized?
The system automatically detects the Alibaba Cloud Model Studio endpoint that is geographically closest to your server's region and displays the corresponding API key. If you have subscribed to an AI coding plan, its API key is also displayed. If an API key for the nearest endpoint does not exist, follow the on-screen instructions to create an API key in the corresponding region or subscribe to an AI coding plan.
|
Simple application server region |
Recommended API key region |
Coding plan region |
|
Chinese mainland regions |
China (Beijing) |
China (Beijing) |
|
US and European regions |
US (Virginia) |
|
|
Hong Kong (China) and other Asian regions |
Singapore |