Glossary of Terms
Key terms and definitions for AI assistants, cloud deployment, and automation.
Agent Skills#
Modular capabilities that an AI assistant can execute, such as browsing the web, managing files, running code, or interacting with APIs. OpenClaw supports over 100 agent skills that can be enabled or disabled based on your needs.
AI Assistant#
A software application powered by a large language model that can understand natural language instructions, hold conversations, and perform tasks autonomously. OpenClaw is an open-source AI assistant platform that you can self-host on your own server.
API (Application Programming Interface)#
A set of protocols and tools that allow different software applications to communicate with each other. OpenClaw uses APIs to connect with language model providers, messaging platforms, and external services.
Automation#
The process of configuring software to perform tasks without manual intervention. With OpenClaw, you can automate workflows such as responding to messages, processing data, managing files, and executing scheduled tasks.
CLI (Command Line Interface)#
A text-based interface for interacting with software by typing commands. OpenClaw can be controlled through a CLI for advanced configuration and scripting, in addition to its graphical dashboard.
Cloud Provider#
A company that offers computing resources, such as servers and storage, over the internet. OpenClaw Provider supports deployment to AWS, DigitalOcean, Vultr, Hetzner, Akamai, and custom VPS providers.
Custom VPS#
A virtual private server from any provider not directly integrated into the OpenClaw Provider dashboard. You can deploy OpenClaw to any server with SSH access and a supported operating system using our custom VPS deployment option.
Dashboard#
A web-based control panel provided by OpenClaw Provider for managing your deployment. From the dashboard you can monitor server health, configure integrations, trigger updates, and manage team access.
Deployment#
The process of installing, configuring, and launching software on a server so it is ready for use. OpenClaw Provider automates the entire deployment process, including server provisioning, security hardening, and SSL setup.
DNS (Domain Name System)#
The system that translates human-readable domain names (like openclawprovider.com) into IP addresses that computers use to communicate. Configuring DNS is required to connect a custom domain to your OpenClaw deployment.
Health Monitoring#
Continuous automated checks that verify your OpenClaw instance is running correctly. OpenClaw Provider monitors your server every 60 seconds and can automatically restart services or alert you if an issue is detected.
MIT License#
A permissive open-source software license that allows anyone to use, copy, modify, and distribute the software with minimal restrictions. OpenClaw is released under the MIT License, meaning you are free to use and modify it for any purpose.
Multi-Platform#
The ability to operate across multiple messaging services or communication channels simultaneously. OpenClaw can connect to WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, Slack, and other platforms from a single deployment.
Open Source#
Software whose source code is freely available for anyone to view, modify, and distribute. OpenClaw is an open-source project with over 150,000 GitHub stars and an active community of contributors worldwide.
OpenClaw#
An open-source AI assistant platform that can be self-hosted on your own infrastructure. OpenClaw connects to multiple messaging platforms, executes tasks autonomously, integrates with external APIs, and supports over 100 agent skills.
Root Access#
Full administrative control over a server, including the ability to install software, modify system configurations, and access all files. With OpenClaw Provider, you retain root SSH access to your server at all times.
Self-Hosting#
Running software on your own server instead of relying on a third-party service. Self-hosting gives you full control over your data, privacy, and configuration. OpenClaw Provider simplifies self-hosting by handling the infrastructure management for you.
SSH (Secure Shell)#
A cryptographic network protocol for secure communication between computers. SSH is used to connect to and manage remote servers. OpenClaw Provider uses SSH with key-based authentication to manage your deployment securely.
SSL/TLS#
Encryption protocols that secure data transmitted between a web browser and a server. OpenClaw Provider automatically provisions and renews SSL certificates via Let's Encrypt so your deployment is protected with HTTPS from day one.
VPS (Virtual Private Server)#
A virtualized server that runs its own operating system and provides dedicated resources within a shared physical machine. VPS hosting offers a balance of performance, control, and cost that makes it ideal for running self-hosted applications like OpenClaw.
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