SSH Access for OpenClaw: When and How to Use It

One of the key features that sets ShipTasks apart is full SSH access to your OpenClaw instance. This guide covers when and how to use SSH effectively with your AI agent.

What is SSH Access?

SSH (Secure Shell) provides encrypted, command-line access to your dedicated server. With ShipTasks, you get root-level access to:

• Install custom packages and dependencies
• View logs and debug issues
• Modify system configurations
• Access the file system directly
• Run maintenance tasks

When to Use SSH

Essential Use Cases

1. Installing Custom Dependencies

   pip install custom-package
   npm install -g some-tool
   

2. Viewing Logs

   tail -f /var/log/openclaw.log
   journalctl -u openclaw -f
   

3. Database Management

   sqlite3 /path/to/agent.db
   

4. File Management

   rsync -avz local-files/ root@your-server:/opt/openclaw/
   

Advanced Use Cases

• Custom Security Hardening: Configure firewalls, fail2ban, etc.
• Monitoring Setup: Install Prometheus, Grafana, or other monitoring tools
• Backup Automation: Set up automated backup scripts
• CI/CD Integration: Deploy updates automatically

How to Connect

Step 1: Get Your Credentials

After signing up, you'll receive:

• Server IP address
• Root username
• Password or SSH key

Step 2: Connect via SSH

ssh root@your-server-ip

Step 3: Secure Your Access

We strongly recommend:

1. Disable Password Authentication

   nano /etc/ssh/sshd_config
   # Set: PasswordAuthentication no
   systemctl restart sshd
   

2. Use SSH Keys Only

   # On your local machine:
   ssh-copy-id root@your-server-ip
   

3. Change Default Port (Optional)

   nano /etc/ssh/sshd_config
   # Change: Port 2222 (or any high port)
   systemctl restart sshd
   

Security Best Practices

Do's

• ✅ Use strong SSH keys (ED25519 or RSA 4096+)
• ✅ Keep your system updated: apt update && apt upgrade
• ✅ Configure a firewall (UFW recommended)
• ✅ Monitor login attempts: lastb and /var/log/auth.log
• ✅ Use a VPN for additional security

Don'ts

• ❌ Share your SSH credentials
• ❌ Allow root login with password
• ❌ Keep unused ports open
• ❌ Store sensitive data without encryption

Common Commands

System Management

# Check disk usage
df -h

# Monitor processes
htop

# Check memory usage
free -m

# View system logs
journalctl -xe

OpenClaw Specific

# Restart OpenClaw
systemctl restart openclaw

# Check status
systemctl status openclaw

# View configuration
cat /etc/openclaw/config.yaml

Troubleshooting

Connection Refused

• Check if the server is running
• Verify firewall rules: ufw status
• Confirm SSH service is active: systemctl status sshd

Permission Denied

• Verify your SSH key is correct
• Check file permissions: chmod 600 ~/.ssh/id_rsa
• Ensure your user has proper permissions

Slow Connection

• Use compression: ssh -C root@your-server-ip
• Check network latency: ping your-server-ip
• Consider using a connection multiplexing tool like Mosh

Conclusion

SSH access gives you complete control over your OpenClaw environment. While the web dashboard handles most day-to-day operations, SSH is invaluable for debugging, customization, and advanced management.

Need help with SSH? Our support team is available to assist with any connection issues.