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How to Install Moltbot on a VPS: Complete Setup Guide for 24/7 AI Assistant

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How to Install Moltbot on a VPS: Complete Setup Guide for 24/7 AI Assistant

I first heard about Moltbot when I was exploring ways to run a personal AI assistant that actually stays online 24/7 without relying on my laptop. Moltbot is an open-source AI assistant framework that lets you interact with your favorite chat apps (like Discord, Telegram, WhatsApp, etc.) and automate real tasks, all under your control rather than through SaaS.

After running Moltbot locally for a bit, I quickly realized that if I wanted it to reply at random hours (and not stop when my computer sleeps), I needed a remote server. That’s where a VPS (Virtual Private Server) comes in.

Below is a walkthrough of how I got it running, the VPS providers I considered, what worked, and what didn't—written in a way I wish I’d seen before I started.

Why Run Moltbot on a VPS

The key reason is simple: reliability. If Moltbot runs on your laptop, it stops when you close your lid or lose internet. A VPS stays online all the time. Using it as the host for Moltbot’s “Gateway” (the persistent backend service) means the assistant is always ready to accept commands and maintain state.

What You Need (Resources & Configuration)

Here’s the minimal setup that worked for me:

  • Ubuntu 22.04 or similar Linux distro — stable and well-supported
  • SSH access — to install and manage stuff remotely
  • Node.js 22+ — required for Moltbot install
  • A VPS with at least:
    • 2 vCPUs
    • 2–4 GB RAM
    • 20–50 GB SSD storage
    • Good network connectivity

This gives enough horsepower for Moltbot to run smoothly even with a few channels connected. Of course, if you’ll be running many skills or heavy workflows, bump up RAM/CPU.

Step-by-Step: Installing Moltbot

Note: This is a high-level flow based on the official docs and my own trial and error.

  1. Create your VPS instance (choose location, OS, SSH key, etc.).
  2. SSH into the machine:
    ssh root@YOUR_SERVER_IP
  3. Update and prep the system:
   apt update && apt upgrade -y

  1. Install Node.js 22+
    (Use NodeSource or your distro package manager.)

  2. Install Moltbot globally:

npm install -g Moltbot@latest
  1. Initialize and install the daemon:
Moltbot onboard --install-daemon

This sets up the Gateway service to run in the background.

  1. Configure your API keys & channels
    — typically by pasting them in via your browser UI forwarded over SSH.

  2. Optionally secure with UFW/Firewall and set up backups.

That’s it! Within ~30 minutes you can have a cloud-hosted Moltbot that’s reachable from your phone.

VPS Providers I Tried

I’ve tested a few setups. Here’s a quick comparison of the ones I considered:

LightNode VPS Hosting — My Pick for Simplicity

LightNode Moltbot VPS

Overview: LightNode offers global NVMe VPS plans with hourly billing and plenty of locations (over 40 worldwide).

Pros:

  • Quick deployment — your VPS is up and ready in minutes.

  • Competitive pricing (from ~$7.71/month).

  • NVMe SSD and reliable uptime are a solid baseline for always-on use.

  • Multiple OS choices — Ubuntu, Debian, Windows, etc.

Cons:

  • Not as well-known as some big cloud brands (but that also keeps prices down).

Use Case: Great if you want straightforward VPS hosting with global node options and predictable pricing.

👉Visit LightNode

👉How to Install Moltbot on LightNode VPS

💡 Hetzner / Other DIY VPS

Hetzner VPS

I also tried a small VPS from Hetzner (Europe). It’s very similar in spirit—basic Ubuntu, root access, and you install everything yourself.

Pros:

  • Often cheaper in European regions.

  • Clean, minimal environment.

Cons:

  • Fewer global locations depending on your audience.

👉 Visit Hetzner

☁️ AWS / Cloud Providers

AWS

The docs mention AWS (EC2/Lightsail) and similar cloud hosts as options.

Pros: Top-tier infrastructure & integration with other cloud tools.

Cons: Pricing can creep up, and setup is a bit more involved if you don’t already use cloud platforms.

Final Thoughts

Hosting Moltbot on a VPS has been one of those “why didn’t I do this earlier” moments. Once it’s up, you don’t worry about downtime, and you get the flexibility to tweak, scale, and add automations.

If your goal is a personal assistant that feels like a service and not just a local script, a cloud VPS is the sweet spot.

👉Visit AWS

FAQ

Q: Do I need to keep my laptop open?
A: Nope! Once Moltbot is running on the VPS, your laptop is just a control point — it doesn’t have to stay on.

Q: Can I use other messaging apps besides Discord?
A: Yes — Moltbot supports multiple channels like Telegram and WhatsApp based on how you configure tokens.

Q: How do I update Moltbot after installation?
A: Typically just npm update -g Moltbot@latest, then restart the daemon.

Q: Is it secure to expose Moltbot over the internet?
A: Use SSH keys, firewalls, and optionally reverse proxies / HTTPS to keep it safe.

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