Frequently Asked Questions

LobsterLair is a managed hosting platform for OpenClaw (openclaw.ai) - the powerful open-source AI agent framework. We run the original, unmodified OpenClaw software and handle all the infrastructure, security, and updates so you can focus on chatting with your AI — via the built-in webchat or Telegram. We always provide the latest OpenClaw version, typically within a few days of release. Every update goes through our security review process before deployment, making LobsterLair a safe and hassle-free way to run OpenClaw.

1. Create a LobsterLair account 2. Subscribe via Stripe ($19/month, cancel anytime) 3. Name your bot and optionally connect Telegram 4. Start chatting instantly via webchat (or Telegram)

Nope — AI is included with every subscription at no extra cost. Your bot comes pre-configured with MiniMax M2.7, a powerful reasoning model with a 200,000-token context window. You don't need to sign up for any external service or manage API keys. Just create your bot and start chatting. Want to use a different model? You can optionally bring your own API key — see "Can I use other AI models?" below.

Your bot is a full OpenClaw AI agent — not just a simple chatbot. Out of the box, it can: - Browse the web — research topics, check websites, take screenshots - Run code — execute Python, JavaScript, Go, and shell commands - Handle voice messages — send a voice note on Telegram and get a text response (powered by Whisper) - Remember you — build long-term memory of your preferences, projects, and context - Work with files — read, create, and analyze documents - Summarize content — web pages, YouTube videos, and PDFs You can customize your bot's behavior with a system prompt, or use the config editor for advanced setups. It runs 24/7, so it's always ready when you need it.

Yes! While every subscription includes MiniMax M2.7 at no extra cost, you can optionally connect your own AI provider. OpenClaw supports Anthropic (Claude), OpenAI (GPT), Google (Gemini), and many more. Just add your API key in the config editor — it's encrypted with AES-256-GCM before storage. You can switch models anytime without losing your bot's memory or configuration. The included MiniMax M2.7 remains available as a fallback. Note: Usage of your own API key is billed directly by the respective provider, not by us.

We don't offer a free trial at the moment — the $19/month subscription is required upfront. You can, however, cancel anytime directly from your dashboard, no questions asked, and the subscription stays active until the end of the billing period. Your data and configuration are kept for 30 days after cancellation.

Only you. The built-in webchat is protected by your account login. If you connect Telegram, only your User ID is allowed. Your conversations are completely private.

Running OpenClaw yourself requires technical expertise and constant security vigilance. With LobsterLair: - Every OpenClaw update is reviewed for security issues before deployment - Your bot runs in an isolated container — no other user can reach it - Sensitive data (bot tokens, API keys) is encrypted with AES-256-GCM - Webchat is protected by your account login, Telegram by your User ID - All data stays in Germany (EU) on dedicated servers - Daily encrypted backups ensure nothing is ever lost - We handle server security, updates, and monitoring 24/7 You get enterprise-grade security without the hassle.

We take data security seriously. Here's what we do: Encryption: All sensitive data (API keys, bot tokens) is encrypted with AES-256-GCM at rest. All connections use TLS/SSL. Isolation: Every customer gets their own Docker container with strict resource limits. Containers cannot communicate with each other — your bot is completely isolated. Access: Only you can access your bot. There is no shared access, no public endpoint, and no way for other users to reach your instance. Only the platform operator has server access — we do not read your conversations. Backups: Your data is backed up daily with offsite copies. If something goes wrong, we can restore from backup. In case of a security incident: We immediately isolate affected systems, rotate credentials, and notify affected users within 72 hours as required by GDPR. Your API keys remain protected by AES-256-GCM encryption even in a breach scenario.

LobsterLair is operated by Atlas Collective LLC (https://atlascollective.ai/). Your data is hosted exclusively on Hetzner dedicated servers in Germany. Nothing leaves the EU. Payments are processed by Stripe (EU). We are fully GDPR compliant — you can export or delete your data at any time from the dashboard. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service for full details.

Your bot builds long-term memory as you chat. It learns your name, preferences, timezone, and important context — so conversations feel natural over time, not like starting from scratch every day. You can view, download, or clear the memory anytime from the dashboard under Quick Actions > Bot Memory.

1. Open Telegram and search for @BotFather 2. Send /newbot and follow the prompts 3. Copy the token BotFather gives you 4. Paste it during onboarding

Message @userinfobot on Telegram. It will reply with your User ID (a number like 123456789).

Yes! Use the 'Download My Data' button in Quick Actions to export all your bot's configuration and workspace data as a ZIP file.

Your bot stops running at the end of your billing period. Your data, configuration, memory, and chat history are preserved for 30 days. If you resubscribe within that window, everything picks up exactly where you left off — same bot, same memory, same setup. After 30 days, data is permanently deleted.