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exe.dev

Goal: OpenClaw Gateway running on an exe.dev VM, reachable from your laptop via: https://<vm-name>.exe.xyz This page assumes exe.dev’s default exeuntu image. If you picked a different distro, map packages accordingly.

Beginner quick path

  1. https://exe.new/openclaw
  2. Fill in your auth key/token as needed
  3. Click on “Agent” next to your VM, and wait…
  4. ???
  5. Profit

What you need

  • exe.dev account
  • ssh exe.dev access to exe.dev virtual machines (optional)

Automated Install with Shelley

Shelley, exe.dev’s agent, can install OpenClaw instantly with our prompt. The prompt used is as below:

Manual installation

1) Create the VM

From your device:
Then connect:
Tip: keep this VM stateful. OpenClaw stores state under ~/.openclaw/ and ~/.openclaw/workspace/.

2) Install prerequisites (on the VM)

3) Install OpenClaw

Run the OpenClaw install script:

4) Setup nginx to proxy OpenClaw to port 8000

Edit /etc/nginx/sites-enabled/default with

5) Access OpenClaw and grant privileges

Access https://<vm-name>.exe.xyz/ (see the Control UI output from onboarding). If it prompts for auth, paste the token from gateway.auth.token on the VM (retrieve with openclaw config get gateway.auth.token, or generate one with openclaw doctor --generate-gateway-token). Approve devices with openclaw devices list and openclaw devices approve <requestId>. When in doubt, use Shelley from your browser!

Remote Access

Remote access is handled by exe.dev’s authentication. By default, HTTP traffic from port 8000 is forwarded to https://<vm-name>.exe.xyz with email auth.

Updating

Guide: Updating