How to host a Paperclip workspace for your AI agents
Paperclip is a workspace layer for AI agents. To use it with a remote agent host you have two choices: self-host Paperclip yourself, or use a managed Paperclip host that runs the workspace for you. This guide walks through both paths and shows where each one breaks down so you can pick the right fit.
What hosting Paperclip actually involves
People often think "host Paperclip" means standing up the workspace once. In practice it's an ongoing job. Every time you add a new agent or spin up a new instance, you have to:
- Generate API keys on both sides (your agent host and the Paperclip workspace)
- Point Paperclip at the right endpoint for each agent
- Handle authentication and TLS
- Re-sync the workspace whenever an agent is added, renamed, or removed
- Repeat all of the above per instance if you're running more than one
That overhead compounds fast. The two practical hosting models below differ mostly in how much of this work you keep on your plate.
Option A: Self-hosted Paperclip
Self-hosted Paperclip puts you in full control: you own the server, the storage, the network, and the upgrade cadence. The tradeoff is that you also own every operational detail.
- Pick a host (VPS, Kubernetes cluster, on-prem) and provision a machine with persistent storage.
- Install Paperclip from the official repository following its deployment instructions.
- Set up an HTTPS endpoint with a real certificate. Paperclip behind a self-signed cert breaks most agent integrations.
- Configure authentication. Generate API keys for each AI agent you plan to connect.
- Configure the workspace endpoint inside each AI agent runtime that should sync into Paperclip.
- Test sync end-to-end and confirm changes flow through.
- Document the runbook for adding a new agent. You'll repeat steps 4–6 every time.
Self-hosting is a reasonable choice if you have specific compliance, sovereignty, or customization requirements. For everyone else, the recurring per-agent setup tax is the friction point.
Option B: Managed Paperclip hosting
The other path is a workspace that someone else provisions, secures, and operates for you. OpenClaw Setup runs this option as a $3.90/month add-on, and it folds the entire setup loop into a single toggle.
- Sign in to OpenClaw Setup and add the $3.90/month Paperclip add-on in billing.
- Open the Paperclip tab in your dashboard.
- Click Enable Paperclip. The workspace is provisioned for your account immediately — no external Paperclip signup, no API keys.
- By default, the workspace auto-attaches to every OpenClaw instance you own — including ones you haven't launched yet. Spin up a new instance later and it's mirrored into the workspace the moment it boots.
- Click Open Paperclip to launch the workspace. Owner-only access; nothing public.
The result: you skip server provisioning, TLS, API keys, endpoint wiring, and the manual re-sync loop. Adding a new agent is a no-op — it appears in the workspace automatically.
Self-hosted vs managed at a glance
| Step | Self-hosted Paperclip | Managed Paperclip hosting |
|---|---|---|
| Workspace provisioning | You provision server, storage, TLS | Provisioned automatically on enable |
| API keys | Generate and rotate manually | None — never see a key |
| Endpoint wiring per agent | Manual | Automatic |
| Adding a new agent | Re-sync manually | Mirrors in automatically |
| Adding a new instance | Repeat full setup | Auto-attached by default |
| Updates | You patch and operate | Operated for you |
| Cost shape | Server + storage + ops time | $3.90/month add-on |
How to choose
- Pick self-hosted if you have explicit data-residency, compliance, or customization requirements that rule out third-party hosting.
- Pick managed Paperclip hosting if you want a workspace that "just works" across every agent you run today and every one you launch in the future, without the per-agent setup loop.
If you're starting from scratch, the fastest path is to follow the OpenClaw setup guide to launch your first instance, then enable the managed Paperclip workspace from the dashboard.
Frequently asked questions
Can I host Paperclip without API keys?
Yes — with managed Paperclip hosting you never see an API key. The workspace is provisioned and connected to your AI agents automatically.
Does the managed workspace cover agents I add later?
Yes. Auto-attach is the default. Any new OpenClaw instance you launch is mirrored into the workspace the moment it boots, with no extra setup.
How much does managed Paperclip hosting cost?
$3.90/month as an add-on to OpenClaw Setup. Already deployed Paperclip workspaces are not interrupted by pricing changes.
Can I switch from self-hosted to managed later?
Yes. Enable the managed workspace in OpenClaw Setup whenever you're ready. Your self-hosted Paperclip can be retired separately.
Skip the setup loop
Get a managed Paperclip workspace that auto-attaches to every present and future agent on your account.