Hostinger VPS Deploy

Deploy Koda (OpenClaw) on Hostinger VPS servers with GUI access for AI virtual employees.

Overview

This skill automates:

1. API-driven provisioning — Deploy VPS instances via Hostinger API MCP tools
2. Server hardening — SSH keys, firewall, fail2ban
3. GUI installation — XFCE desktop + VNC/XRDP for remote access
4. Docker setup — Container runtime for Koda
5. Koda deployment — AI assistant with webchat interface
6. Identity config — Unique name/persona for each virtual employee

Hostinger API Integration (MCP)

Dashboard Tab

OpenClaw has a built-in Hostinger tab in the Control dashboard (Integrations group).

From the tab you can:

• Enter your Hostinger API token (stored securely in vault)
• Set your GitHub repo URL (OpenClaw fork to install on new VPS instances)
• View all available MCP tools grouped by category
• Reference the Key VPS Tools quick guide

Getting Your API Token

1. Log into hPanel
2. Go to API Tokens → Create new token
3. Copy the token and paste it in the OpenClaw Hostinger tab

MCP Server

The hostinger-api-mcp npm package is Hostinger's official MCP server.

• Install: npm install -g hostinger-api-mcp (already installed)
• Auth: Bearer token via API_TOKEN env var
• Transport: stdio (default) or HTTP streaming

Important: The API token is stored in ~/.openclaw/secrets.json (the vault), not in plaintext in mcporter config. A SecretRef points to the vault key HOSTINGER_API_TOKEN.

Key API Endpoints

Using Tools via mcporter

# List all VPS instances
mcporter call hostinger-api.vps_getVirtualMachineListV1

# View available VPS plans (prices in cents)
mcporter call hostinger-api.billing_getCatalogItemListV1 category=VPS

# List data centers
mcporter call hostinger-api.vps_getDataCenterListV1

# List OS options
mcporter call hostinger-api.vps_getOsListV1

# Deploy a new VPS (requires plan item ID, OS ID, datacenter ID)
mcporter call hostinger-api.vps_createVirtualMachineV1 ...

API Documentation Links

VPS Deployment Workflow

Step 1: Get a VPS

# 1. Check available plans
mcporter call hostinger-api.billing_getCatalogItemListV1 category=VPS

# 2. Pick a data center
mcporter call hostinger-api.vps_getDataCenterListV1

# 3. Pick an OS (Ubuntu 24.04 recommended)
mcporter call hostinger-api.vps_getOsListV1

# 4. Deploy
mcporter call hostinger-api.vps_createVirtualMachineV1 \
  --args '{"plan":"...", "datacenter_id": "...", "os_id": "..."}'

Step 2: Set Up the Server

Once the VPS is running (get IP from vps_getVirtualMachineListV1):

# One-command full deploy
scripts/deploy-all.sh SERVER_IP "Agent Name" [KODA_PORT] [SSH_PORT]

# Examples:
scripts/deploy-all.sh 1.2.3.4 "Alex"
scripts/deploy-all.sh 1.2.3.4 "Alex" 9443 2222

Step 3: Install OpenClaw Fork

If a GitHub repo is configured (via the Hostinger tab), Koda will:

1. SSH into the new VPS
2. Clone the configured repo (e.g., https://github.com/your-org/openclaw)
3. Run the install script

Manual Step-by-Step Scripts

# 1. Initial server setup (with custom ports)
ssh root@SERVER_IP 'bash -s 9443 2222' \x3C scripts/01-server-setup.sh

# 2. Install GUI + remote desktop
ssh -p 2222 root@SERVER_IP 'bash -s' \x3C scripts/02-install-gui.sh

# 3. Install Docker
ssh -p 2222 root@SERVER_IP 'bash -s' \x3C scripts/03-install-docker.sh

# 4. Deploy Koda (with custom port)
ssh -p 2222 root@SERVER_IP 'bash -s 9443' \x3C scripts/04-deploy-koda.sh

# 5. Configure identity
ssh -p 2222 root@SERVER_IP 'bash -s' \x3C scripts/05-configure-identity.sh "Agent Name"

Scripts

Connecting to Your VPS

After deployment:

• Remote Desktop (RDP): Connect with Windows Remote Desktop or Remmina to SERVER_IP:3389
• VNC: Connect to SERVER_IP:5901 (if VNC installed)
• Webchat: Open http://SERVER_IP:18789 in browser
• SSH: ssh koda@SERVER_IP

Default credentials (change after first login):

• Username: koda
• Password: Set during deployment

Firewall Ports

Security

Vault Storage

The Hostinger API token is stored in ~/.openclaw/secrets.json under the key HOSTINGER_API_TOKEN. It is never stored in plaintext in mcporter.json — only a SecretRef pointer is stored there.

Post-Deployment Hardening

# Tailscale (zero-trust VPN — recommended)
ssh root@SERVER_IP 'bash -s' \x3C scripts/security/setup-tailscale.sh
ssh root@SERVER_IP 'bash -s' \x3C scripts/security/lockdown-public.sh

# Or: Cloudflare Tunnel for HTTPS
ssh root@SERVER_IP 'bash -s' \x3C scripts/security/setup-cloudflare-tunnel.sh

Reference Files

VPS Plans

Recommended for Koda/OpenClaw:

• KVM 2 (2 GB RAM) — Minimum for headless Koda
• KVM 4 (4 GB RAM) — Recommended for GUI + Koda
• KVM 8 (8 GB RAM) — Comfortable for heavy workloads

OS: Ubuntu 22.04 or 24.04 LTS

Troubleshooting

Can't connect via RDP?

• Ensure port 3389 is open: sudo ufw status
• Check XRDP status: sudo systemctl status xrdp

Koda not starting?

• Check Docker: docker ps
• View logs: docker logs koda

GUI slow?

• XFCE is lightweight but VPS needs 2GB+ RAM
• Consider headless mode if GUI not needed

MCP tools not loading?

• Verify token is saved: check ~/.openclaw/secrets.json for HOSTINGER_API_TOKEN
• Run: API_TOKEN=your-token mcporter list hostinger-api