What I Built
A fully non-interactive bash script that deploys OpenClaw (AI agent runtime) to any Ubuntu VPS in ~10 minutes. Two modes: (1) pre-configured setup with Telegram auth ready to use, or (2) install-only mode for self-configuration.
Handles Node.js installation, environment setup, systemd service creation, and OpenClaw initialization. Built for reproducibility: turn any fresh VPS into a production AI agent host with one command.
What I Learned
- •Non-interactive automation is harder than it looks: handling SSH key prompts, apt-get confirmations, and systemd restarts without user input requires understanding every failure mode.
- •Systemd patterns: making OpenClaw run as a persistent service with proper logging and auto-restart on failure.
- •The service opportunity: open-sourcing the script builds credibility, but setup-as-a-service is where the business model lives. Installation is the foot in the door for ongoing support.
- •Infrastructure as a product: small business owners need AI agents but cannot manage DevOps. This bridges that gap.
Business Angle
Positions me to evaluate infrastructure-as-a-service opportunities in the agent space. The pattern (open source tool + paid setup/support) applies broadly to emerging tech where adoption is gated by technical complexity, not willingness to pay.