Set up your own AI assistant on a €5/month server. Works with WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, and more.
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OpenClaw is an open-source AI assistant that runs on your own server. Unlike ChatGPT or Claude, it:
- Runs 24/7 on a cheap VPS (~€5/month)
- Connects to your apps via WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, Slack, Signal, iMessage
- Remembers context across conversations
- Extensible with 49 skills (GitHub, Google Workspace, Home Assistant, etc.)
After following this guide, you'll have:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| AI Assistant | Powered by Gemini (free) or Claude (paid) |
| 24/7 Availability | Runs as a daemon on your server |
| WhatsApp Integration | Message your assistant like a contact |
| Memory | Remembers past conversations |
| Skills | GitHub, coding agents, notes, and more |
- Claude Code or Codex installed
- Hetzner Cloud account (or any VPS)
- LLM API key: Gemini (free) or Anthropic
- Get your Hetzner API token: console.hetzner.cloud → Security → API Tokens
- Get your LLM API key (Gemini or Anthropic)
- Open Claude Code or Codex and say:
Read https://raw.githubusercontent.com/federicodeponte/openclaw-setup/master/SETUP.md and set up OpenClaw for me.
Here's my Hetzner API token: <paste>
Here's my Gemini API key: <paste>
- Scan WhatsApp QR code when prompted
- Done — message your assistant on WhatsApp
| Automated by Claude | You Provide |
|---|---|
| Creates Hetzner server | Hetzner API token |
| Installs OpenClaw | LLM API key |
| Configures daemon | — |
| Runs health checks | Scan WhatsApp QR code |
Only manual step: Scanning the WhatsApp QR code with your phone.
| Component | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Hetzner CPX22 (2 vCPU, 4GB RAM) | ~€5 |
| Gemini API (free tier) | €0 |
| WhatsApp, Telegram, etc. | €0 |
| Total | ~€5/month |
Ready immediately (no extra setup):
- GitHub — issues, PRs, repos (requires
ghCLI auth) - Coding agents — Claude Code, Codex, OpenCode
Requires CLI installation:
- Notes — Apple Notes, Bear, Obsidian (need respective CLIs)
- Home automation — Home Assistant, Eight Sleep
- Google Workspace — Gmail, Calendar, Drive (via
gogCLI) - 1Password — secrets management (via
opCLI)
Run openclaw skills list to see all 49 available skills and their status.
For step-by-step instructions without Claude Code, see SETUP.md.
Q: Is my data private? A: Yes. OpenClaw runs on YOUR server. Your messages, memory, and API keys stay with you.
Q: Can I use a different VPS provider? A: Yes. Any Ubuntu 24.04 server with 2GB+ RAM works. DigitalOcean, Vultr, AWS, etc.
Q: What LLMs are supported? A: Gemini, Claude, OpenAI, Mistral, local models via Ollama, and more.
Q: How do I add more channels (Telegram, Discord)?
A: Run openclaw channels add --channel telegram and follow the prompts.
See the Troubleshooting section in SETUP.md or join the Discord.
Issues and PRs welcome. See SETUP.md for the full setup flow.
MIT — see LICENSE.
Made by @federicodeponte · Built with OpenClaw