What to Expect During a Professional OpenClaw Installation
Professional on-site OpenClaw installation follows a structured process: pre-install assessment, hardware setup, software configuration, team training, and post-install support. Here's what happens before, during, and after the installer arrives.
Why This Is Hard to Do Yourself
These are the common pitfalls that trip people up.
Unknown timeline
You don't know how long the installation takes or what to schedule around.
Team involvement unclear
You're not sure who from your team needs to be present or what they need to do.
Post-install uncertainty
You don't know what happens after the installer leaves — are you on your own?
Step-by-Step Guide
Phase 1: Pre-install consultation (before visit)
Before the installer arrives, they'll conduct a 30-minute consultation call to understand your setup: team size, usage patterns, existing infrastructure, and requirements. They'll ask about your network (VLANs, firewall, static IP needs), security policies, and whether hardware is already purchased. Use this call to surface any concerns.
Phase 2: Hardware inspection and placement (day of, 30 min)
The installer arrives at your office and inspects the hardware and physical space. If you haven't purchased hardware yet, they verify specs. They identify the best physical location for the Mac Mini (power access, network port, physical security). If rack mounting or cable management is needed, they handle it now.
Phase 3: Network integration (30-60 min)
The installer connects the Mac Mini to your network and tests connectivity. They configure static IP or internal DNS, verify firewall rules allow outbound API calls, and test that OpenClaw can reach the internet. If your office has complex networking (VLANs, proxies), this step takes longer. They may coordinate with your IT team if needed.
Phase 4: OpenClaw software installation (30-45 min)
With hardware and network confirmed, the installer installs OpenClaw: Docker setup, Gateway configuration, API key setup, environment variables, and initial skill installation. They configure security (non-root containers, firewall rules, user permissions). They test a basic conversation to verify everything works.
Phase 5: Team training walkthrough (30 min)
The installer conducts a hands-on training session with your team. They show: how to access OpenClaw (URL or IP), how to create accounts, how to install skills from ClawHub, where logs live, how to restart services if needed. This is your chance to ask questions.
Phase 6: Documentation handoff (15 min)
The installer provides a custom runbook documenting: hardware specs, network configuration (IP, DNS, firewall rules), OpenClaw configuration details, restart procedures, troubleshooting steps, and contact info for support. This is your team's reference guide for maintaining the setup.
Phase 7: Post-install support window (30 days)
After the installer leaves, you have a 30-day support window for any setup-related issues. If OpenClaw stops working, network changes break connectivity, or you need configuration adjustments, the installer provides remote support (usually via email or scheduled call). This is included in the installation fee.
Total time: 2-4 hours on-site
Most installations take 2-4 hours depending on network complexity and team size. Simple setups (small team, straightforward network) can be done in 2 hours. Complex setups (large team, enterprise network, compliance requirements) may take 4 hours. The installer provides a time estimate after the pre-install consultation.
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