Setup & Installation
clawhub install ssh-deploy-skillOr with OpenClaw CLI:
openclaw skills install ssh-deploy-skillWhat This Skill Does
Ssh Deploy Skill is a data skill that universal SSH remote deployment tool - multi-server management, batch deployment, installation script templates with domestic mirror optimization. Supports remote installation of Git, Docker, MySQL, PostgreSQL, Nginx, Node.js, Redis, Python and more..
SSH Deploy Skill
A universal SSH remote deployment tool for managing Linux servers with batch operations, file transfers, and templated software installations. Optimized for domestic network environments with built-in mirror configuration for Chinese mirrors (Aliyun, Tsinghua, etc.).
Quick Start
1. Initial Setup
cd /root/.openclaw/workspace/skills/ssh-deploy-skill
# Auto setup (checks dependencies, creates config)
bash scripts/setup.sh
# Manual dependency install if auto fails
pip3 install --user paramiko
2. Configure Servers (Two Methods)
Method A: Use inventory.json (Traditional)
Edit ~/.ssh-deploy/inventory.json or add servers via CLI:
python3 scripts/inventory.py add web-01 \
--host 192.168.1.101 \
--user root \
--ssh-key ~/.ssh/id_rsa \
--groups production,web \
--tags "aliyun"
Config location: All server configurations are saved in ~/.ssh-deploy/inventory.json.
Method B: Read Directly from ~/.ssh/config (New!)
If you already have Host entries in ~/.ssh/config, use them without any additional configuration:
# ~/.ssh/config example
Host dy-c1
HostName 101.126.92.30
User root
IdentityFile ~/.ssh/mypc_id_rsa
Port 22
# Execute directly using host name
python3 scripts/deploy.py exec dy-c1 "ls -la /opt"
The tool automatically parses Host, HostName, Port, User, IdentityFile fields from your SSH config.
Note: Servers loaded from SSH config are read-only and not saved to inventory. To add groups/tags, import them:
inventory.py add --from-ssh-config.
3. Execute Remote Commands
# Single server
python3 scripts/deploy.py exec web-01 "uptime && df -h"
# Batch by group
python3 scripts/deploy.py exec group:production "docker ps"
# Batch by tag
python3 scripts/deploy.py exec tag:aliyun "systemctl status nginx"
# Sequential execution (avoid high load)
python3 scripts/deploy.py exec group:large "apt update" --sequential
4. File Transfers
# Upload file
python3 scripts/deploy.py upload web-01 ./nginx.conf /etc/nginx/nginx.conf
# Batch upload to all group servers
python3 scripts/deploy.py upload group:web ./config.json /opt/app/config.json
# Download file
python3 scripts/deploy.py download web-01 /var/log/nginx/access.log ./logs/
5. Use Templates for Software Installation
All templates in templates/ come pre-configured with domestic mirrors.
# Install Docker (auto-configured with China mirrors)
cat templates/install_docker.sh | python3 scripts/deploy.py exec tag:docker "bash -s"
# Install MySQL (password via environment variable)
MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD=YourPass123 cat templates/install_mysql.sh | \
python3 scripts/deploy.py exec db-01 "bash -s"
# Base setup (system updates + mirrors)
cat templates/base_setup.sh | python3 scripts/deploy.py exec group:all "bash -s"
📦 Installation Script Templates
| Template | Software | China Mirror | Env Vars |
|---|---|---|---|
base_setup.sh |
Base environment | ✅ | - |
install_git.sh |
Git | ❌ | GIT_USER_NAME, GIT_USER_EMAIL |
install_docker.sh |
Docker CE +加速器 | ✅ | - |
install_mysql.sh |
MySQL 8.0 | ✅ | MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD |
install_postgresql.sh |
PostgreSQL 15 | ✅ | PG_VERSION |
install_nginx.sh |
Nginx | ❌ | - |
install_nodejs.sh |
Node.js | ✅ (npm) | NODE_VERSION |
install_redis.sh |
Redis | ❌ | - |
install_python.sh |
Python | ✅ (pip) | PYTHON_VERSION |
Note: All added server configs are saved to
~/.ssh-deploy/inventory.json.
🎯 Core Features
Server Inventory Management (inventory.py)
# List all servers
python3 scripts/inventory.py list
# Filter by group
python3 scripts/inventory.py list --group production
# Filter by tag
python3 scripts/inventory.py list --tag aliyun
# Add server
python3 scripts/inventory.py add SERVER_NAME \
--host IP_OR_HOSTNAME \
--port 22 \
--user USERNAME \
--ssh-key PATH_TO_KEY \
--groups GROUP1,GROUP2 \
--tags TAG1,TAG2 \
--desc "description"
Target Syntax (used in deploy.py):
server-name- Specific servergroup:groupname- All servers in that grouptag:tagname- All servers with that tag*- All servers
Remote Command Execution (deploy.py)
# Parallel batch (default)
python3 scripts/deploy.py exec group:web "docker pull nginx"
# Sequential (large batches or to avoid overload)
python3 scripts/deploy.py exec group:large "apt upgrade -y" --sequential
# Use environment variables
export MYSQL_VERSION="8.0"
cat templates/install_mysql.sh | python3 scripts/deploy.py exec db-01 "bash -s"
File Operations
# Upload (single)
python3 scripts/deploy.py upload web-01 ./local.conf /etc/app/conf.d/conf.conf
# Batch upload
python3 scripts/deploy.py upload group:web ./nginx.conf /etc/nginx/nginx.conf
# Download
python3 scripts/deploy.py download web-01 /var/log/app.log ./logs/
🌏 Domestic Network Optimization
Mirror Configuration
This skill uses Aliyun mirrors by default and configures:
- Ubuntu/Debian →
mirrors.aliyun.com - CentOS/RHEL →
mirrors.aliyun.com - npm →
registry.npmmirror.com(Taobao) - pip →
mirrors.aliyun.com/pypi/simple - Docker → USTC, NetEase, Baidu mirrors
- Go →
goproxy.cn - Maven → Aliyun repository
Detailed config: references/mirrors.md
One-Click Mirror Setup
# Configure system mirrors on all servers
cat templates/base_setup.sh | python3 scripts/deploy.py exec group:all "bash -s"
# Manual Docker mirror config (if needed)
cat <<'EOF' | python3 scripts/deploy.py exec group:all "bash -s"
cat > /etc/docker/daemon.json <<DOCKER
{
"registry-mirrors": [
"https://docker.mirrors.ustc.edu.cn",
"https://hub-mirror.c.163.com",
"https://mirror.baidubce.com"
]
}
DOCKER
systemctl restart docker
EOF
🔒 Security Best Practices
SSH Key Management
- Use key auth, disable passwords
- Key permissions:
chmod 600 ~/.ssh/id_rsa - Different keys for different environments
Least Privilege
- Create dedicated deploy users (not root)
- Configure passwordless sudo (only necessary commands)
- Server
sshd_config:PermitRootLogin no,PasswordAuthentication no
Sensitive Data
- Never store passwords in
inventory.json - Use environment variables for passwords (e.g.,
MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD) - Config file permissions
640, ownerroot:appgroup
- Never store passwords in
Audit
- Keep all deployment logs
- Record command, server, time, result
Full security guide: references/best-practices.md
🐛 Troubleshooting
Quick Diagnostics
# 1. Network test
ping <host>
telnet <host> 22
# 2. Manual SSH test
ssh -i ~/.ssh/id_rsa root@<host> "uptime"
# 3. View connection details
python3 scripts/deploy.py exec <server> "uptime" 2>&1
# 4. Verify key permissions
ls -la ~/.ssh/id_rsa*
Common Issues
| Symptom | Solution |
|---|---|
| Connection refused/timeout | Check server status, SSH service, firewall/security group |
| Permission denied (publickey) | Check public key in server's ~/.ssh/authorized_keys, key perms 600 |
| sudo: a password is required | Configure passwordless sudo or use root user |
| Command not found | Use absolute path or ensure PATH includes command |
| Slow downloads in China | Run base_setup.sh to configure mirrors, see docs/mirrors.md |
Detailed troubleshooting: references/troubleshooting.md
📊 Batch Operations Examples
Scenario 1: New Server Initialization
# 1. Add server to inventory
python3 scripts/inventory.py add web-01 --host 1.2.3.101 --groups web --tags production
# 2. Base setup (mirrors, tools)
cat templates/base_setup.sh | python3 scripts/deploy.py exec web-01 "bash -s"
# 3. Install core software
cat templates/install_docker.sh | python3 scripts/deploy.py exec web-01 "bash -s"
cat templates/install_nginx.sh | python3 scripts/deploy.py exec web-01 "bash -s"
# 4. Upload app config
python3 scripts/deploy.py upload web-01 ./app-config.json /opt/app/config.json
# 5. Start application
python3 scripts/deploy.py exec web-01 "docker-compose up -d"
Scenario 2: Rolling Updates Across Multiple Servers
# Canary release: update first batch
cat deploy-v2.sh | python3 scripts/deploy.py exec tag:"canary" "bash -s"
# Check monitoring metrics...
# Full rollout
cat deploy-v2.sh | python3 scripts/deploy.py exec tag:production "bash -s"
Scenario 3: Configuration Sync
# Sync config file to all Web servers
python3 scripts/deploy.py upload group:web ./nginx.conf /etc/nginx/nginx.conf
# Batch restart
python3 scripts/deploy.py exec group:web "nginx -t && systemctl reload nginx"
Scenario 4: Health Checks & Monitoring
# Collect status from all servers
python3 scripts/deploy.py exec "*" "uptime" > uptime-$(date +%F).log
python3 scripts/deploy.py exec "*" "df -h" > disk-$(date +%F).log
python3 scripts/deploy.py exec "*" "docker ps --format 'table {{.Names}}\t{{.Status}}'" > containers-$(date +%F).log
🔄 CI/CD Integration
GitLab CI Example
stages:
- deploy
deploy_production:
stage: deploy
script:
- pip3 install --user paramiko
- export TARGET="group:production"
- cat deploy.sh | python3 skills/ssh-deploy-skill/scripts/deploy.py exec "$TARGET" "bash -s"
only:
- main
GitHub Actions Example
jobs:
deploy:
runs-on: ubuntu-latest
steps:
- uses: actions/checkout@v3
- name: Install paramiko
run: pip3 install paramiko
- name: Deploy to servers
run: |
cat deploy.sh | python3 skills/ssh-deploy-skill/scripts/deploy.py exec "group:staging" "bash -s"
🛠️ Developer Guide
Adding New Installation Templates
- Create
.shfile intemplates/ - Use
#!/bin/bashandset -e - Detect OS type and adapt (see existing templates)
- Use env vars for parameters, never hardcode secrets
- Add domestic mirror config where applicable
Custom Script Structure
#!/bin/bash
set -e
echo "===== Installing XXX ====="
# 1. Detect OS
if [ -f /etc/debian_version ]; then
OS="debian"
elif [ -f /etc/redhat-release ]; then
OS="redhat"
else
echo "Unsupported OS"
exit 1
fi
# 2. Configure domestic mirrors (if needed)
# ...
# 3. Install software
if [ "$OS" = "debian" ]; then
apt-get update
apt-get install -y xxx
elif [ "$OS" = "redhat" ]; then
yum install -y xxx
fi
# 4. Start service
systemctl start xxx
systemctl enable xxx
echo "XXX installation complete!"
Using Python API Directly
from inventory import Inventory, Server
from deploy import SSHDeployer
# Load inventory
inv = Inventory()
server = inv.get_server("web-01")
# Create deployer
deployer = SSHDeployer()
# Execute command
result = deployer.execute(server, "docker ps")
print(result.success, result.output)
# Upload file
res = deployer.upload_file(server, "./local.conf", "/etc/conf.d/local.conf")
deployer.close()
📚 Additional Documentation
Detailed documentation (some in Chinese):
README.md- Complete usage guide with API referenceREADME.zh-CN.md- Full Chinese manualreferences/mirrors.md- Domestic mirror configuration detailsreferences/best-practices.md- Best practices and code examplesreferences/troubleshooting.md- Complete troubleshooting handbook
🤝 Contributing
Issues and Pull Requests are welcome!
📄 License
MIT License
Version History
Latest version: 1.2.2
First published: Apr 6, 2026. Last updated: Apr 6, 2026.
1 version released.