Deploy and Host OpenClaw (Moltbot/Clawdbot) – Autonomous AI Agent Platform on Railway

OpenClaw lets you run your own AI assistant using Claude, GPT, or Gemini. Chat through a web interface or connect it to Telegram, Discord, or Slack. Your AI agent can execute code, browse the web, schedule tasks, and remember your conversations.

Deploy OpenClaw for free in 6 Simple Steps

Step 1: Deploy to Railway

Click the "Deploy on Railway" button. Click Configure & provide a SETUP_PASSWORD > Click on Save Config > Then Deploy. Wait about 3-5 minutes for deployment.

Step 2: Save Your Credentials

Go to the Variables tab and copy these somewhere safe:

• SETUP_PASSWORD – You'll need this to access your public openclaw webui
• OPENCLAW_GATEWAY_TOKEN – A 64-character token

Step 3: Get Your Public URL

Settings → Networking → Copy your Railway URL (looks like your-app-xyz.up.railway.app)

If it doesn't show up, click on "Generate Domain"

Step 4: Open the Setup Wizard

Click on the domain provided by railway (you might need to add suffix /setup, at the end of URL)

When prompted to login:

• Username: You can leave this blank
• Password: Use your SETUP_PASSWORD

Step 5: Configure Your AI

Fill in these fields:

1. Provider Group – Pick your AI (example: "Anthropic")
2. Auth Method – Usually "Anthropic API key" or similar
3. Key/Token – Paste your API key
4. Wizard Flow – Leave as "quickstart"

Optionally, can connect to Telegram/Discord (you can do it later via OpenClaw UI as well)

Click "Run Setup" and wait 30-60 seconds.

Step 6: Connect the Gateway

If you have used the Open OpenClaw UI from /setup wizard, this step will be automatically done for you & in overview tab, it would show connected by default.

1. Click "Open OpenClaw UI" at the top
2. Go to Overview in the sidebar
3. Find Gateway Access
4. Paste your OPENCLAW_GATEWAY_TOKEN
5. Click "Connect"

The status turns green when connected.

Start Using OpenClaw

Click Chat in the sidebar and send your first message. That's it!

Add Messaging Apps (Optional)

Want to chat via Telegram or Discord? See the sections below for setup instructions.

About Hosting OpenClaw (Moltbot/Clawdbot) – Autonomous AI Agent Platform

Railway doesn't provide terminal access for OpenClaw's usual setup process. This template gives you a web-based setup wizard instead—deploy and configure everything through your browser. No command line needed.

Common Use Cases

Personal AI Assistant: Research topics, get coding help, write content, manage daily tasks—all through natural conversation.

Automated Workflows: Schedule recurring tasks, monitor websites, send notifications, automate boring stuff with cron jobs.

Dependencies for OpenClaw (Moltbot/Clawdbot) – Autonomous AI Agent Platform Hosting

Required:

• API key from Anthropic (Claude), OpenAI (GPT), or Google (Gemini)

Optional:

• Telegram bot token (for Telegram chat)
• Discord bot token (for Discord chat)
• Slack credentials (for Slack chat)

Deployment Dependencies

• OpenClaw on GitHub
• Get Anthropic API Key – Claude (recommended)
• Get OpenAI API Key – GPT
• Get Google AI Key – Gemini
• Create Telegram Bot
• Discord Developer Portal

How to Get AI Provider API Keys

Anthropic (Claude) – Recommended

1. Go to console.anthropic.com
2. Sign up or login
3. Click "API Keys" in the sidebar
4. "Create Key" → name it "OpenClaw Railway"
5. Copy the key and save it

OpenAI (GPT)

1. Visit platform.openai.com
2. Log in → click your profile → "View API Keys"
3. "Create new secret key" → name it (optional)
4. Copy the key immediately—you can't see it again

Google (Gemini)

1. Open aistudio.google.com
2. Sign in with Google
3. Click "Get API Key"
4. Select or create a project
5. "Create API Key" → copy it

How to Add Telegram Bot to OpenClaw

Create Your Telegram Bot

1. Open Telegram and find @BotFather
2. Send: /newbot
3. Pick a name: "My OpenClaw Bot"
4. Pick a username: my_openclaw_bot (must end with "bot")
5. BotFather sends you a token—copy it

Connect to OpenClaw

1. Go back to /setup in your browser
2. Find "Optional: Channels"
3. Paste token into "Telegram bot token"
4. Click "Run Setup"

Start Chatting

Search for your bot's username in Telegram, click Start, and chat away.

How to Add Discord Bot to OpenClaw

Create the Bot

1. Go to discord.com/developers
2. "New Application" → name it "OpenClaw Bot"
3. "Bot" tab → "Add Bot"
4. Enable "MESSAGE CONTENT INTENT" (important!)
5. "Reset Token" → copy and save it

Invite to Your Server

1. "OAuth2" → "URL Generator"
2. Check these scopes:
   • ✅ bot
   • ✅ applications.commands
3. Check these permissions:
   • ✅ Read Messages/View Channels
   • ✅ Send Messages
   • ✅ Read Message History
   • ✅ Embed Links
4. Copy the URL, open it, select your server, authorize

Add to OpenClaw

1. Back to /setup
2. Paste token in "Discord bot token"
3. "Run Setup"
4. Mention your bot in Discord to start chatting

Common Questions About OpenClaw

What's the difference between OpenClaw, Clawdbot, and Moltbot?

Same thing—OpenClaw is the current name. Clawdbot and Moltbot are old names for the same project.

How much does hosting OpenClaw cost?

Railway: About $5-10/month on Hobby plan. There's a free tier but it's limited.

AI API costs depend on usage:

• Claude: ~$5-30/month for personal use
• GPT: ~$5-40/month depending on which model
• Gemini: Often free for personal projects

Is my data private when using OpenClaw?

Yes. Everything runs on your Railway instance. All communication uses HTTPS.

Can I use multiple AI providers?

One at a time. But you can switch providers by re-running the setup wizard or editing the config.

Why does the OpenClaw UI show "Disconnected"?

Usually means you forgot to paste the OPENCLAW_GATEWAY_TOKEN in the UI.

Fix: Overview → Gateway Access → paste token → Connect

Or your API key is invalid—check Railway logs and verify your key.

Do I need Telegram or Discord?

Nope! The web UI works perfectly on its own. Messaging apps are just extras for convenience.

Can I use OpenClaw on my phone?

Web: Just open your Railway URL in your phone's browser

Telegram/Discord/Slack: Use their mobile apps with your bot

Can I run multiple OpenClaw instances?

Yes. Deploy the template multiple times. Each instance gets its own domain and config. Great for separating personal and work use.

Can I move OpenClaw off Railway?

Absolutely. Export a backup from /setup, download the .tar.gz file, and deploy it anywhere—VPS, Docker, home server, whatever. Import the backup on your new setup.

Why Deploy OpenClaw (Moltbot/Clawdbot) – Autonomous AI Agent Platform on Railway?

Railway is a singular platform to deploy your infrastructure stack. Railway will host your infrastructure so you don't have to deal with configuration, while allowing you to vertically and horizontally scale it.

By deploying OpenClaw (Moltbot/Clawdbot) – Autonomous AI Agent Platform on Railway, you are one step closer to supporting a complete full-stack application with minimal burden. Host your servers, databases, AI agents, and more on Railway.