openclaw docker deploy

OpenClaw Docker deployment with compose baseline

A reproducible container deployment path for openclaw local and docker intent.

Last updated: 2026-03-11

  • Expose only required ports
  • Keep secrets in .env
  • Run health checks before release
openclaw dockeropenclaw docker composeopenclaw local deploy

1. Why Docker

It standardizes runtime, improves collaboration, and simplifies rollback.

  • Unified dependency graph
  • Fast rollback
  • CI/CD friendly

2. Compose baseline

Official compose layout uses `openclaw-gateway` and `openclaw-cli`.

Official compose core snippet (trimmed)

services:\n  openclaw-gateway:\n    image: ${OPENCLAW_IMAGE:-openclaw:local}\n    ports:\n      - \"${OPENCLAW_GATEWAY_PORT:-18789}:18789\"\n  openclaw-cli:\n    image: ${OPENCLAW_IMAGE:-openclaw:local}\n    network_mode: \"service:openclaw-gateway\"
  • Gateway default port is 18789
  • Image is controlled by `OPENCLAW_IMAGE`
  • CLI uses `network_mode: service:openclaw-gateway`

3. Post-deploy checks

Confirm gateway health before running business workflows.

  1. Check `http://127.0.0.1:18789/healthz`
  2. Run `docker compose run --rm openclaw-cli dashboard --no-open`
  3. Inspect gateway logs for auth/pairing errors

Frequently asked questions

Docker or native deployment?

Docker is usually better for teams and production; native is fine for quick tests.

Can containers access web search features?

Yes, with correct networking policy and outbound proxy allowlists.

Sources