docker-infrastructure/openclaw/SETUP.md

OpenClaw Setup Guide

Prerequisites

1. Create storage directories:

   sudo mkdir -p /srv/openclaw/config /srv/openclaw/workspace
   sudo chown -R 1000:1000 /srv/openclaw
   

2. Create .env file on host:

   The .env file is already created locally at openclaw/.env with a generated token. You need to copy it to the deployment location:

   # Copy .env to the openclaw directory where Portainer will use it
   # Option 1: If running locally
   cp openclaw/.env /path/to/portainer/stack/openclaw/.env
   
   # Option 2: Add environment variables directly in Portainer stack
   # (see Portainer setup below)
   

Portainer Stack Setup

Method 1: Via Portainer Web UI

1. Go to Portainer → Stacks → Add Stack
2. Choose "Git Repository"
3. Fill in:
   • Name: openclaw
   • Repository URL: https://gitea.kolpacksoftware.com/homelab/docker-infrastructure.git
   • Reference: refs/heads/main
   • Compose path: openclaw/docker-compose.yml
   • Auto update: Enabled (5m interval recommended)
4. Add environment variables:
   • OPENCLAW_GATEWAY_TOKEN: 27d4e63adce6c8f7c5396e8ca3f9ec5e6ff590077247fb11da03a8684ee3c711
5. Deploy the stack

Method 2: Via Portainer API

# Set your Portainer API token
export PORTAINER_TOKEN="your-token-here"

# Create the stack (Docker Compose mode)
curl -k -X POST "https://localhost:9443/api/stacks/create/standalone/repository" \
  -H "X-API-Key: $PORTAINER_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "name": "openclaw",
    "endpointId": 2,
    "repositoryURL": "https://gitea.kolpacksoftware.com/homelab/docker-infrastructure.git",
    "repositoryReferenceName": "refs/heads/main",
    "composeFile": "openclaw/docker-compose.yml",
    "repositoryAuthentication": false,
    "autoUpdate": {
      "interval": "5m"
    },
    "env": [
      {
        "name": "OPENCLAW_GATEWAY_TOKEN",
        "value": "27d4e63adce6c8f7c5396e8ca3f9ec5e6ff590077247fb11da03a8684ee3c711"
      }
    ]
  }'

Nginx Proxy Manager Configuration

Set up a proxy host for:

• Domain: openclaw.kolpacksoftware.com
• Forward Hostname / IP: openclaw (container name)
• Forward Port: 18789
• ⚠️ WebSocket Support: Enable "WebSocket Support" toggle (REQUIRED - OpenClaw uses WebSocket protocol)
• SSL: Request Let's Encrypt certificate
• Access List: Create/use "Private Network Only" to restrict to 192.168.1.0/24

Ollama Integration

Make sure Ollama is running and has models pulled:

# Check Ollama status
docker ps | grep ollama

# Pull a model if needed (from ollama directory)
docker exec -it ollama ollama pull llama3
# or
docker exec -it ollama ollama pull mistral

Running the Onboarding Wizard

After the stack is deployed, run the onboarding wizard:

docker exec -it openclaw npx openclaw onboard

During onboarding:

1. Select Ollama as your model provider
2. Enter Ollama base URL: http://ollama:11434 (since they're on the same Docker network)
3. Select which model to use (e.g., llama3, mistral)
4. Configure any messaging channels you want (optional)

Accessing OpenClaw

• Control UI: https://openclaw.kolpacksoftware.com
• Gateway Token: 27d4e63adce6c8f7c5396e8ca3f9ec5e6ff590077247fb11da03a8684ee3c711

Troubleshooting

⚠️ KNOWN ISSUE (2026-02-09): OpenClaw gateway mode in Docker consistently fails with "No API key found for provider 'anthropic'" despite correct auth-profiles.json configuration. See TROUBLESHOOTING.md for detailed information about all attempted solutions.

Current Status: Container runs and is accessible, but cannot execute AI requests with either Ollama or Anthropic API.

Check logs:

docker logs openclaw -f

Check if OpenClaw can reach Ollama:

docker exec -it openclaw curl http://ollama:11434

For detailed troubleshooting history and configuration attempts, see:

• TROUBLESHOOTING.md - Complete troubleshooting log