OpenClaw is one of those tools that immediately makes you think:
“This is powerful… maybe too powerful to run directly on my machine.”
Since OpenClaw is designed to act autonomously—executing commands, editing files, and interacting with external services—I decided Docker was the right place to experiment. Containerization gives you a safety net while still letting the agent do real work.
Here’s a practical walkthrough of how to get OpenClaw running inside Docker, based on what actually worked.
Why Docker Is the Right Default
Running OpenClaw in Docker gives you:
- A clear boundary between the agent and your OS
- Easy cleanup if something goes wrong
- Predictable, reproducible setup
- A way to inspect everything the agent touches
If you’re exploring agentic AI, this should be your baseline.
Clone the Repository
Start by grabbing the source:
git clone https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw
cd openclaw
The repository ships with Docker Compose support, which handles networking, volumes, and service orchestration for you.
What Docker Creates on Your Machine
During setup, OpenClaw mounts two directories from your host:
- Configuration directory — Stores settings, memory, and credentials.
- Workspace directory — This is where the agent reads and writes files. Anything created by OpenClaw shows up here, making its behavior transparent and auditable.
This design makes it easy to see what the agent is doing without giving it unrestricted filesystem access.
Initial Configuration Choices That Matter
The first launch includes an interactive setup. A few decisions are more important than they appear:
Gateway Setup
Choose a local gateway if you’re running everything on your own machine. This keeps the system simple and predictable.
Model Provider
I opted for ChatGPT-based authentication instead of raw API keys. The big win here is cost control—token usage is capped by an existing subscription rather than an open-ended API bill.
The login flow is slightly awkward (browser redirect → localhost error → copy URL back), but it’s a one-time annoyance.
Networking Extras
Optional networking features are tempting, but if you’re just getting started, skipping them reduces the number of moving parts—and potential failure modes.
Starting the System
Bring everything up with Docker Compose:
docker compose up --build
Once running, confirm with:
docker ps
You should see an OpenClaw gateway container actively running.
Managing OpenClaw from the CLI
OpenClaw includes a CLI service for administrative tasks. Use it from the project directory:
docker compose run --rm openclaw-cli status
This is useful for health checks, dashboards, and pairing workflows.
Talking to OpenClaw via Telegram
One of OpenClaw’s strengths is that it can be controlled through chat platforms. Telegram is a good starting point.
High-level flow:
- Create a bot using Telegram’s official bot tools
- Provide the bot token during OpenClaw setup
- Approve the pairing between your account and the agent
Once paired, you can message your OpenClaw instance directly from your phone, which feels equal parts futuristic and slightly unsettling (in a good way).
Using the Web Dashboard
OpenClaw exposes a local dashboard with logs, tools, and a live chat interface.
Accessing it requires an authentication token, which you can generate via the CLI. After pairing approval, the dashboard becomes the control center for debugging and monitoring agent behavior.
This UI is especially helpful for understanding:
- What tools the agent has access to
- What commands it can execute
- How it reasons through tasks
Installing Extra Tools (When You Need Them)
The agent itself runs without elevated privileges, which is exactly what you want. But if you need extra system utilities inside the container, you can temporarily access it as root and install what’s missing.
Once installed, the agent can use those tools without ever having direct root access.
Final Takeaway
OpenClaw is powerful enough that how you run it matters.
Docker provides a controlled environment where you can:
- Experiment freely
- Observe everything the agent does
- Recover quickly if something breaks
If you’re exploring autonomous agents seriously, running OpenClaw in Docker isn’t just convenient—it’s responsible.