Physical or virtual devices that run the OpenClaw client software
An OpenClaw Node is any device running the OpenClaw client that connects to a gateway. Nodes can be smartphones, computers, Raspberry Pis, or servers. Each node can have additional hardware capabilities like cameras, microphones, or GPS that extend what the agent can perceive and interact with.
The OpenClaw app or CLI runs on a node and establishes a connection to the gateway. The gateway coordinates between nodes and agent sessions. A node with a camera can capture and send images. A node with a microphone enables voice interactions. Nodes expand the agent's sensory capabilities beyond pure text.
For most cloud-based use cases, you don't need to think about nodes — your agent runs entirely in the cloud. But for home automation, physical environment monitoring, or location-aware applications, having OpenClaw on dedicated hardware unlocks new possibilities.
Clawfleet manages your OpenClaw instance — OpenClaw Nodes, backups, restarts, and cost tracking — all included. Start for $1.
Deploy for $1 →