OpenClaw is powerful. It’s also unforgiving if you under-spec your machine.
If you’ve seen errors like “JavaScript heap out of memory”, random gateway crashes, or a Control UI that just refuses to load, you didn’t do anything wrong. Your hardware did.
This guide breaks down exactly what OpenClaw needs to run reliably, based on real-world usage, not theory.
TL;DR (Read This First)
If you want OpenClaw to actually work:
- Absolute minimum: 2 GB RAM
- Recommended: 4 GB RAM
- Comfortable / production: 16 GB RAM
- Anything below 2 GB: expect crashes on UI operations
CPU matters less than memory. Disk matters less than memory. Swap helps, but swap does not save you.
RAM is king. Period.
Why OpenClaw Is Memory-Hungry (By Design)
OpenClaw is not a “light CLI tool.” It’s a long-running AI agent system with:
- Node.js runtime
- Persistent gateway process
- Web Control UI
- Model orchestration
- Tool execution
- Session memory
- Optional browser automation
That means:
- Memory usage grows over time
- Garbage collection spikes are real
- Node’s heap limit is very real
If RAM is tight, OpenClaw doesn’t degrade gracefully. It falls over.
Minimum OpenClaw Hardware Requirements
This is the absolute floor, not the goal.
Server Specs
CPU
1 to 2 vCPU
This is fine and not the bottleneck
Memory
2 GB RAM minimum
Anything below this will crash during onboarding or gateway startup
Storage
20 GB SSD minimum
Operating System
Ubuntu 22.04 or Ubuntu 24.04 (recommended)
What This Setup Is Good For
This configuration is only suitable for light, short-term usage.
• Testing OpenClaw
• Learning the CLI
• Short sessions
• No browser automation
• Minimal tool usage
What Will Break
Expect instability once you push it.
• Long-running agents
• Heavy prompts
• Multiple tools
• Control UI under load
Honest verdict: usable, but fragile.
Recommended OpenClaw Hardware (What Most People Actually Need)
This is where OpenClaw stops fighting you and starts behaving.
Server Specs
CPU
2 to 4 vCPU
Memory
4 GB RAM
This is the sweet spot for most users
Storage
40 to 60 GB SSD
Operating System
Ubuntu 22.04 or Ubuntu 24.04
What Works Well Here
This is the first configuration that feels stable.
• Stable gateway
• Control UI loads consistently
• Long-running agents
• Tool-heavy workflows
• Browser automation
• Fewer garbage-collection related crashes
Bottom line: for most users, this is the right starting point.
Production OpenClaw Hardware
If OpenClaw is doing real work, this is not the place to save money.
Server Specs
CPU
4 or more vCPU
Memory
16 GB RAM or more
This removes almost all operational friction
Storage
80 GB SSD or more
Why This Configuration Matters
This is where OpenClaw becomes boring in the best possible way.
• Enough headroom for memory spikes
• Multiple agents running in parallel
• Reliable browser control
• Fewer Node.js heap limitations
• No constant monitoring or restarts
When You Should Choose This
This tier is built for serious usage.
• Daily workflows
• Long-running agents
• Tool-heavy orchestration
• Production environments
“Can I Just Add Swap?” (Short Answer: No)
Swap helps prevent instant death.
Swap does not make OpenClaw happy.
What actually happens:
- Node hits heap limit
- System swaps aggressively
- Performance tanks
- Gateway becomes unstable
- Eventually crashes anyway
Swap is a bandage, not a solution.
Local Machine vs VPS: Hardware Reality Check
Running OpenClaw locally works… until it doesn’t.
Local machines:
- Sleep
- Reboot
- Kill background processes
- Compete for RAM
- Break long-running agents
A VPS:
- Stays online
- Has dedicated memory
- Is predictable
- Is easier to secure
- Is easier to scale
That’s why most serious OpenClaw users end up on a VPS.
The Hosting Mistake Most People Make
Most VPS plans start at:
- 0.5 GB
- 1 GB
- “Developer” tiers
These do not work for OpenClaw.
If a host doesn’t explicitly recommend at least 2 GB RAM for AI agents, they haven’t tested it.
Our Recommendation (Blunt and Honest)
If you want OpenClaw without fighting it:
- Start at 8 GB RAM
- Scale to 16 GB if you care about reliability
- Avoid “cheap” VPS plans
That’s exactly why BoostedHost OpenClaw VPS plans start where OpenClaw actually works, not where marketing looks good.
Final Verdict
OpenClaw is powerful, but it’s not lightweight.
If you under-provision:
- it crashes
- it disconnects
- it frustrates you
If you size it correctly:
- it runs quietly
- it stays online
- it becomes useful
Hardware isn’t optional here. It’s the foundation.
