OpenClaw Docker Errors — Complete Troubleshooting Guide 2026

Docker deployments of OpenClaw introduce new failure modes on top of standard issues. Here's a systematic approach to the most common Docker-specific errors.

Container Fails to Start

docker ps -a | grep openclaw   # Check exit status
docker logs openclaw-agent --tail 50  # View exit reason

# Common exit codes:
# Exit 1: Application error — check logs
# Exit 137: OOM killed — increase memory limit
# Exit 127: Command not found — check image/entrypoint

Missing Environment Variables (Most Common)

# Verify env file:
cat ~/.openclaw/.env

# Test container sees variables:
docker run --rm --env-file ~/.openclaw/.env openclaw env | grep ANTHROPIC

# WRONG — no env file:
docker run openclaw

# CORRECT:
docker run --env-file /path/to/.env openclaw

# docker-compose.yml:
services:
  openclaw:
    image: openclaw/agent:latest
    env_file:
      - /path/to/.openclaw/.env

Volume Permission Errors

# Error: "Permission denied reading workspace"
docker run --rm -v ~/.openclaw/workspace:/workspace ls -la /workspace

# Fix permission mismatch:
chown -R 1000:1000 ~/.openclaw/workspace  # Replace 1000 with container UID
chmod -R 755 ~/.openclaw/workspace

# Or run as your host user:
docker run --user $(id -u):$(id -g) openclaw

Network / DNS Failures

# Test internet from container:
docker exec openclaw-agent curl -s https://api.anthropic.com

# If DNS fails, add to /etc/docker/daemon.json:
{"dns": ["8.8.8.8", "8.8.4.4"]}
sudo systemctl restart docker

Browser Automation in Docker

# Dockerfile additions for Chromium:
RUN apt-get update && apt-get install -y chromium libnss3 libatk-bridge2.0-0 libgtk-3-0

# openclaw.json:
{"browser": {"args": ["--no-sandbox", "--disable-setuid-sandbox"]}}

Health Check and Restart Policy

# docker-compose.yml:
services:
  openclaw:
    restart: unless-stopped
    healthcheck:
      test: ["CMD", "openclaw", "gateway", "status"]
      interval: 60s
      timeout: 30s
      start-period: 30s
      retries: 3

Get the complete setup guide in The OpenClaw Playbook — everything you need to master OpenClaw for $9.99.