Deploy OpenAI (Standard) - Local Deployment

Overview

This guide walks you through deploying an AI assistant powered by OpenAI (Standard) using Local Deployment. You'll configure the provider, set up the deployment environment, and get your assistant running.

Requirements

• Node.js 22+: Node.js version 22 or higher is required
• macOS, Linux, or WSL2: Supported operating systems
• npm or pnpm: Package manager for installation
• OpenAI (Standard) credentials: API key or authentication

Step 1: Configure OpenAI (Standard)

Standard API key only

1. Create account at platform.openai.com
2. Generate API key
3. Set OPENAI_API_KEY environment variable

Step 2: Prepare Local Deployment Environment

1. Install OpenClaw: Install OpenClaw globally via npm or the installer script

   curl -fsSL https://openclaw.bot/install.sh | bash

2. Run Onboarding: Complete the setup wizard

   openclaw onboard --install-daemon

3. Configure Providers: Add your AI provider credentials during onboarding or manually
4. Start Gateway: Start the Gateway service

   openclaw gateway start

5. Verify Status: Check that everything is running correctly

   openclaw status

Step 3: Configuration

Create your openclaw.json configuration:

{
  "agents": {
    "defaults": {
      "model": {
        "primary": "openai/gpt-4o"
      }
    }
  },
  "models": {
    "providers": {
      "openai": {
  "models": {
    "providers": {
      "openai": {
        "apiKey": "${OPENAI_API_KEY}
    }
  }
}

Step 4: Deploy

{
  "gateway": {
    "mode": "local",
    "bind": "loopback",
    "port": 18789,
    "auth": {
      "mode": "token",
      "allowTailscale": false
    }
  }
}

Step 5: Verify

# Check deployment status
openclaw status

# View logs
openclaw logs --follow

# Test with a message
openclaw test "Hello, are you working?"

Connect to Channels

Now connect your deployed OpenAI (Standard) assistant to messaging channels: