Complete Local Clawdbot Deployment Guide
Comprehensive guide to deploying Clawdbot on local hardware. Covers Mac Mini, Raspberry Pi, Docker, and general local server setup.
This comprehensive pillar page covers everything about clawdbot local setup. Learn how to deploy clawdbot local on your own hardware for complete control, privacy, and cost savings.
Why Choose Clawdbot Local Deployment?
Clawdbot local installation offers unique advantages over cloud hosting:
- Privacy: Your data never leaves your network
- Control: Complete configuration freedom
- Cost: One-time hardware investment
- Performance: No shared resources
- Reliability: No external dependencies
Hardware Options for Clawdbot Local Setup
Compare hardware options for your clawdbot local deployment:
| Hardware | Cost | Performance | Power Usage | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mac Mini M4 | $599+ | Excellent | 5-10W | Production |
| Mac Mini M4 Pro | $1,399+ | Outstanding | 10-20W | Heavy workloads |
| Raspberry Pi 5 | $80+ | Good | 3-5W | Personal/Learning |
| Old PC/Laptop | Varies | Variable | 30-100W | Testing |
Mac Mini for Clawdbot Local Deployment
The Mac Mini is our top recommendation for clawdbot local setup due to its excellent performance and efficiency.
Why Mac Mini?
- Apple Silicon efficiency
- Silent operation
- Excellent build quality
- Low power consumption
- macOS stability
Quick Setup Overview
# Install Homebrew
/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"
# Install Node.js
brew install node@20
# Clone and install Clawdbot
git clone https://github.com/clawdbot/clawdbot.git
cd clawdbot
npm install
# Configure and run
cp .env.example .env
npm run build
npm start
Raspberry Pi for Clawdbot Local Setup
Budget-friendly option for clawdbot local deployment and home setups.
Suitable Use Cases
- Personal projects
- Learning and experimentation
- Low-traffic applications
- IoT integration
Hardware Requirements
- Raspberry Pi 5 or Pi 4 (8GB recommended)
- 32GB+ microSD or SSD
- Active cooling solution
- Reliable power supply
Quick Setup Overview
# Update system
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
# Install Node.js
curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_20.x | sudo -E bash -
sudo apt install -y nodejs
# Clone and install
git clone https://github.com/clawdbot/clawdbot.git
cd clawdbot
npm install
Read full Raspberry Pi Guide →
Docker for Clawdbot Local Deployment
Run clawdbot local in containers for portability and isolation.
Benefits of Docker
- Consistent environment
- Easy updates
- Isolation from host system
- Works on any Docker-supported OS
Quick Docker Setup
# Clone repository
git clone https://github.com/clawdbot/clawdbot.git
cd clawdbot
# Build image
docker build -t clawdbot .
# Run container
docker run -d \
--name clawdbot \
-p 3000:3000 \
-e ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=your_key \
--restart unless-stopped \
clawdbot
Docker Compose
version: '3.8'
services:
clawdbot:
build: .
ports:
- "3000:3000"
environment:
- ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=${ANTHROPIC_API_KEY}
- NODE_ENV=production
restart: unless-stopped
volumes:
- clawdbot_data:/app/data
volumes:
clawdbot_data:
Network Configuration for Clawdbot Local
Configure networking for your clawdbot local setup to enable access from other devices.
Local Network Access
To access Clawdbot from other devices:
# In .env
HOST=0.0.0.0
PORT=3000
Port Forwarding (Remote Access)
For external access (use with caution):
- Configure router port forwarding
- Point external port to internal IP:3000
- Set up dynamic DNS if needed
- Always use HTTPS for remote access
Reverse Proxy Setup
Using Nginx for HTTPS:
server {
listen 443 ssl;
server_name clawdbot.local;
ssl_certificate /path/to/cert.pem;
ssl_certificate_key /path/to/key.pem;
location / {
proxy_pass http://localhost:3000;
proxy_http_version 1.1;
proxy_set_header Upgrade $http_upgrade;
proxy_set_header Connection 'upgrade';
proxy_set_header Host $host;
}
}
Running Clawdbot Local as a Service
Configure your clawdbot local deployment to start automatically.
macOS (launchd)
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">
<plist version="1.0">
<dict>
<key>Label</key>
<string>com.clawdbot.agent</string>
<key>ProgramArguments</key>
<array>
<string>/usr/local/bin/node</string>
<string>/path/to/clawdbot/dist/index.js</string>
</array>
<key>RunAtLoad</key>
<true/>
<key>KeepAlive</key>
<true/>
</dict>
</plist>
Linux (systemd)
[Unit]
Description=Clawdbot AI Agent
After=network.target
[Service]
Type=simple
User=clawdbot
WorkingDirectory=/home/clawdbot/clawdbot
ExecStart=/usr/bin/node dist/index.js
Restart=always
[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target
Performance Optimization for Clawdbot Local
Optimize your clawdbot local setup for best performance.
Memory Management
# Limit Node.js memory
export NODE_OPTIONS="--max-old-space-size=4096"
# Monitor memory usage
node --v8-options | grep -i memory
CPU Optimization
- Enable performance mode (macOS: System Settings > Battery)
- Disable power nap and sleep
- Use wired network connection
Storage Optimization
- Use SSD over HDD
- Enable TRIM for SSDs
- Regular log rotation
Monitoring Clawdbot Local Deployments
Keep your clawdbot local setup running smoothly with proper monitoring.
System Monitoring
# macOS
top -l 1 | head -n 10
# Linux
htop
Application Monitoring
# View logs
tail -f ~/clawdbot/logs/app.log
# Check memory usage
ps aux | grep node
Uptime Monitoring
Consider local monitoring tools:
- Uptime Kuma (self-hosted)
- Prometheus + Grafana
- Simple cron health checks
Backup Strategies
Automated Backups
#!/bin/bash
# backup.sh
BACKUP_DIR="/path/to/backups"
DATE=$(date +%Y%m%d)
# Backup configuration
cp ~/clawdbot/.env $BACKUP_DIR/env-$DATE
# Backup data
tar -czf $BACKUP_DIR/data-$DATE.tar.gz ~/clawdbot/data
# Keep only last 7 backups
find $BACKUP_DIR -mtime +7 -delete
Backup Schedule
# Add to crontab
0 2 * * * /path/to/backup.sh
Security for Clawdbot Local Deployments
Even clawdbot local deployments need proper security:
- Firewall: Block unnecessary ports
- Updates: Keep OS and Clawdbot updated
- API Keys: Use environment variables
- Network: Segment from untrusted devices
- Physical: Secure hardware location
Read Security Best Practices →
Troubleshooting
Common Issues
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Won't start | Check logs, verify Node.js version |
| High memory | Increase swap, limit Node.js heap |
| Slow performance | Check CPU usage, use SSD |
| Network unreachable | Check HOST setting, firewall |
Debug Mode
# Run with debug output
DEBUG=* npm start
# Check system resources
top -o MEM
Hardware Buying Guide
Budget: Under $150
Raspberry Pi 5 Complete Kit- Best for learning and personal use
- Low power consumption
- Limited concurrent users
Recommended: $600-900
Mac Mini M4 16GB- Excellent performance
- Silent operation
- Professional quality
Performance: $1,400+
Mac Mini M4 Pro 24GB- Maximum local performance
- Heavy workload capable
- Future-proof investment
Alternative: Cloud Deployment
Local not right for you? Consider:
- VPS Deployment Guide - Cloud hosting
- Hetzner Guide - European VPS
- AWS Guide - Enterprise cloud
- VPS vs Local - Comparison
Need help with local deployment? Our $100 service covers Mac Mini, Raspberry Pi, and Docker setups.