OpenClaw Docker Setup
ReviewAudited by ClawScan on May 10, 2026.
Overview
This is a clearly disclosed Docker/Tailscale setup guide, but it asks you to grant powerful local and credential access that should be reviewed carefully before use.
Install only if you are comfortable running a persistent OpenClaw container with Docker privileges, API keys, local volume mounts, and Tailscale remote access. Before starting, review the shell script and compose file, pin the Docker image to an exact version or digest, avoid optional credential mounts unless needed, and keep the gateway token and `.env` file private.
Findings (5)
Artifact-based informational review of SKILL.md, metadata, install specs, static scan signals, and capability signals. ClawScan does not execute the skill or run runtime probes.
If the container image or configuration is not trusted, it could access mounted credentials or files and Docker-level privileges can affect the host.
The skill openly requires privileged Docker setup and warns that mounted credential directories become available inside the container.
**sudo operations** — All Docker setup commands require elevated trust. Review `references/docker-setup.sh` before executing. ... **Credential mounting** — Mounting `~/.config/gh` or other credential directories into containers exposes them to the container image.
Review the script and compose file before running, avoid optional credential mounts unless necessary, and use least-privilege tokens.
A future image update would run with the same API keys and mounted directories without you reviewing that exact image first.
The default setup uses a mutable container tag and pulls updates, which is normal for Docker setup but means the code receiving tokens and mounted files can change over time.
image: ghcr.io/openclaw/openclaw:v1 ... The `start` command automatically: - Pulls the latest image
Pin a specific OpenClaw image version or digest and update intentionally after reviewing release notes.
Devices allowed by your tailnet policy may be able to reach the OpenClaw gateway, so weak tokens or broad tailnet access increase risk.
The skill intentionally exposes the OpenClaw gateway for remote access over Tailscale, which is purpose-aligned but security-sensitive.
**Tailscale remote access** — Enables network access to your OpenClaw instance. Ensure your Tailscale network policy allows this and review your firewall rules.
Use a strong gateway token, prefer MagicDNS/HTTPS Tailscale access, and restrict tailnet and firewall access to trusted devices.
OpenClaw may continue running in the background after setup and across host restarts.
The Docker service is configured to keep running across restarts until explicitly stopped, which is expected for a self-hosted gateway but creates persistence.
restart: unless-stopped
Use the documented stop command when you no longer need the service, and verify Docker and Tailscale serve status after setup.
Running these commands may change OpenClaw configuration files under the mounted local OpenClaw directory.
The helper script can run OpenClaw repair and security-fix commands that may modify local OpenClaw configuration, but these commands are user-invoked and aligned with the setup purpose.
docker-compose run --rm openclaw-cli doctor --fix ... docker-compose run --rm openclaw-cli security audit --fix
Back up `~/.openclaw` before using automatic fix commands if you need to preserve exact configuration state.