vps-bootstrap

Bootstrap a fresh VPS from zero to a fully operational OpenClaw deployment, with backup/restore and post-recovery verification. Use when setting up OpenClaw on a new VPS, recovering from a failed server, migrating between machines, or automating disaster recovery. Covers system dependencies, Node.js, Chrome, OpenClaw install, security hardening, backup to Google Drive, restore from backup, and full verification suite.

Full deployment and disaster recovery framework for OpenClaw on Ubuntu VPS.

Overview

Three scripts handle the complete lifecycle:

1. bootstrap.sh — Fresh VPS → fully operational OpenClaw (15-20 min)
2. restore.sh — Restore workspace, config, secrets, and crons from backup
3. verify.sh — Post-deployment verification (all-green = ready)

Quick Start

New VPS setup

bash

# On fresh Ubuntu 24.04 VPS
bash scripts/bootstrap.sh

Restore from backup

bash

bash scripts/restore.sh ~/openclaw-backup-*.tar.gz

Verify everything works

bash

bash scripts/verify.sh

What bootstrap.sh does

Sequential installation with error handling at each step:

1. System packages — build-essential, curl, git, jq, unzip, etc.
2. Node.js — Latest LTS via NodeSource
3. Google Chrome — Stable channel + headless shim for browser tools
4. OpenClaw — Global npm install + gateway service setup
5. Security baseline — UFW firewall, fail2ban, SSH key-only auth
6. Service setup — systemd user service with auto-restart + linger

Each step is idempotent — safe to re-run if interrupted.

What restore.sh does

Extracts a backup tarball and restores:

• Workspace files (SOUL.md, MEMORY.md, AGENTS.md, memory/, scripts/)
• OpenClaw config (openclaw.json, .env)
• Cron database
• GPG keys + password store (encrypted secrets)
• OAuth credentials (GOG, rclone)
• System config snapshot

What verify.sh does

Runs 10+ checks and reports pass/fail:

• OpenClaw gateway running and healthy
• Telegram/Discord providers connected
• Browser tools functional
• Backup system operational
• Cron jobs loaded
• SSH security baseline
• Disk space and memory

Backup Script (Optional)

For automated daily backups, see references/backup-guide.md.

Customization

Edit scripts/bootstrap.sh variables at the top:

bash

OPENCLAW_PORT=18789        # Gateway port
ENABLE_FIREWALL=true       # UFW setup
ENABLE_FAIL2BAN=true       # SSH protection
INSTALL_CHROME=true        # Browser tools support

Requirements

• Ubuntu 22.04+ or Debian 12+
• Root or sudo access
• 2GB+ RAM recommended
• SSH key access configured

Security Notes

• Scripts never store secrets in plaintext in the skill itself
• GPG keys are backed up encrypted
• SSH is hardened to key-only authentication
• Gateway binds to localhost by default

⚖️ 权限声明

权限	范围	用途	说明
执行	sudo (root)	apt 包管理、系统配置	安装 Node.js/Chrome/Docker 等依赖
文件系统	写入	系统配置目录 (/etc/, /usr/local/bin/)	修改 SSH、UFW、Fail2Ban 配置
文件系统	写入	Workspace 目录	从备份恢复 AGENTS.md/MEMORY.md 等文件
网络	出站	包管理器源、Google Drive API	下载软件包、备份恢复
进程	启动/停止	systemd 服务	安装后启动 OpenClaw gateway
凭证	读取/写入	pass (GPG 加密)	恢复/保存 API 密钥和凭证

⚠️ 前置条件：此脚本设计为 全新 VPS 首次引导 使用。在生产服务器上运行前，请逐行审核要执行的命令。