Get your self-hosted AI dashboard up and running in under a minute.
One command. Installs Node.js, Tailscale, and VidClaw automatically:
Localhost only? Add --no-tailscale:
./setup.sh accepts the following flags:
| Flag | Description |
|---|---|
--dry-run | Print actions without executing them |
--tailscale [PORT] | Enable Tailscale Serve integration (default port: 8443) |
--service-mode MODE | Override service mode (auto, systemd, launchd, direct, none) |
--skip-service | Install and build only; do not register a service |
--interactive | Allow interactive sudo prompts when needed |
--skip-heartbeat | Do not modify ../HEARTBEAT.md |
The --service-mode flag controls how VidClaw runs as a background service:
| Mode | Description |
|---|---|
auto | Detect the best option for your OS (default) |
systemd | Register as a systemd unit (Linux) |
launchd | Register as a launchd agent (macOS) |
direct | Run directly as a background process |
none | Do not start any service |
VidClaw only binds to localhost — it is not exposed to the network. Two ways to access it remotely:
The installer enables Tailscale Serve by default on port 8443. Open https://your-machine.your-tailnet.ts.net:8443 from any device on your tailnet.
If you installed with --no-tailscale, use an SSH tunnel instead:
Then open http://localhost:3333 on your local machine.
VidClaw includes helper scripts for day-to-day management:
| Script | Description |
|---|---|
./start.sh | Start the service. Add --dev for local dev mode (backend + Vite HMR). |
./stop.sh | Stop the running service. |
./status.sh | Check whether the service is running. |
./logs.sh | Tail service logs. Use -n 50 to limit lines, --no-follow to exit after printing. |
All scripts accept --dry-run, --interactive, and --service-mode MODE.
Pulls the latest code, rebuilds the frontend, and restarts the service.
| Flag | Description |
|---|---|
--skip-git | Skip git fetch/pull |
--skip-build | Skip dependency install and build |
--no-restart | Do not restart the service after update |
--allow-merge-pull | Allow non-fast-forward pull when ff-only fails |
Stops the service and removes the service registration. Your OpenClaw data is never touched.
Add --purge-data to also remove VidClaw's runtime data files (tasks, logs, activity).