Installing Pinchy:
Complete Setup Guide
Step-by-step guide to deploying Pinchy - the enterprise OpenClaw platform with Docker, user management, and agent orchestration.
What is Pinchy?
Pinchy is the enterprise AI agent platform built on OpenClaw. While OpenClaw provides powerful raw tools for individual users, Pinchy adds the enterprise governance, user management, and security controls needed for team deployments.
Enterprise Governance
Plugin-based permissions, approval workflows, and audit trails for enterprise compliance.
User Management
Role-based access control, team agent assignments, and centralized administration.
Self-Hosted Control
Deploy on your infrastructure with Docker. Complete data sovereignty and customization.
Before You Begin
System Requirements
Minimum Specs
- • 4GB RAM, 2 CPU cores
- • 20GB disk space
- • Ubuntu 20.04+ or similar
- • Docker & Docker Compose
Recommended Specs
- • 8GB+ RAM, 4+ CPU cores
- • 50GB+ SSD storage
- • Load balancer for HA
- • SSL certificate ready
Important Notes
- • Pinchy is in active development - expect regular updates
- • Production deployments should use managed databases and SSL
- • Have your AI model API keys ready (Anthropic, OpenAI, etc.)
- • Consider backup and disaster recovery planning
Installation Process
Step-by-Step Installation Guide
Follow these steps to deploy Pinchy on your infrastructure. Each step includes detailed commands and configuration examples.
Prerequisites & Environment
Prepare your server environment and gather required dependencies
- •Docker and Docker Compose installed
- •4GB+ RAM and 20GB+ disk space
- •Domain name with SSL capability
- •API keys for your preferred AI models
- •SMTP credentials for email notifications
Download Pinchy
Clone the Pinchy repository and prepare the configuration files
- •Clone from GitHub: git clone https://github.com/heypinchy/pinchy
- •Copy environment template: cp .env.example .env
- •Generate secure passwords and API keys
- •Configure domain and SSL settings
Configure Environment
Set up environment variables for security, models, and integrations
- •Database credentials and connection strings
- •AI model provider API keys (OpenAI, Anthropic, etc.)
- •SMTP settings for email notifications
- •SSL certificate paths and domain configuration
- •Admin user credentials and JWT secrets
Deploy with Docker
Launch Pinchy using Docker Compose with all required services
- •Run: docker compose up -d
- •Verify all containers are running
- •Check logs for any startup errors
- •Access the web interface at your configured domain
Initial Configuration
Complete the setup through the Pinchy admin dashboard
- •Create admin account and configure organization settings
- •Set up user roles and permissions
- •Configure model providers and routing
- •Test agent deployment and basic functionality
Deploy Your First Agent
Create and deploy your first enterprise agent through the dashboard
- •Define agent personality and capabilities
- •Configure permissions and tool access
- •Test agent responses and functionality
- •Set up monitoring and logging
Configuration & Setup
Configure Pinchy for your enterprise requirements with proper security, user management, and integrations.
Model Configuration
Set up AI model providers with cost optimization and failover
- ✓Primary model provider (Anthropic Claude recommended)
- ✓Backup model for failover scenarios
- ✓Cost optimization rules and token limits
- ✓Model-specific routing based on task complexity
User Management
Configure user roles, permissions, and access controls
- ✓Admin, Manager, and User role definitions
- ✓Department-based access controls
- ✓Agent assignment and usage limits
- ✓Audit logging and session management
Security Settings
Enterprise security configuration for data protection
- ✓SSL/TLS certificate configuration
- ✓Database encryption and backup settings
- ✓API rate limiting and DDoS protection
- ✓Audit trail configuration and retention
Integration Setup
Connect Pinchy with your existing enterprise systems
- ✓Slack, Microsoft Teams, and email integrations
- ✓CRM and ERP system connections
- ✓Single Sign-On (SSO) configuration
- ✓Webhook and API endpoint configuration
Quick Installation Commands
# Clone Pinchy repository
git clone https://github.com/heypinchy/pinchy.git
cd pinchy
# Configure environment
cp .env.example .env
nano .env # Edit configuration
# Deploy with Docker
docker compose up -d
# Check status
docker compose ps
docker compose logs -f
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Solutions to the most common Pinchy installation and configuration problems.
Docker containers fail to start
Common Causes:
- •Insufficient memory or disk space
- •Port conflicts with existing services
- •Missing environment variables
Solutions:
- ✓Check system resources with docker stats
- ✓Verify ports 3000, 5432, 6379 are available
- ✓Review .env file for missing variables
Cannot access Pinchy dashboard
Common Causes:
- •SSL certificate issues
- •Firewall blocking connections
- •Incorrect domain configuration
Solutions:
- ✓Verify SSL certificate is valid and accessible
- ✓Check firewall rules for HTTP/HTTPS ports
- ✓Confirm domain DNS points to your server
Agent responses are slow or failing
Common Causes:
- •API rate limits exceeded
- •Model provider connectivity issues
- •Insufficient server resources
Solutions:
- ✓Check API usage quotas and limits
- ✓Test connectivity to model providers
- ✓Scale server resources or optimize configuration
Users cannot log in or access agents
Common Causes:
- •Incorrect user permissions
- •Session configuration issues
- •Database connectivity problems
Solutions:
- ✓Review user roles in admin dashboard
- ✓Check session timeout and cookie settings
- ✓Verify database connection and schema
FAQ
Pinchy Installation Questions
How is Pinchy different from standard OpenClaw?+
Pinchy adds enterprise features on top of OpenClaw: user management, role-based permissions, plugin governance, audit trails, and a web dashboard. While OpenClaw gives agents raw system access, Pinchy wraps these in controlled plugins with authorization layers.
Can I run Pinchy completely offline?+
Yes. Pinchy can be deployed with local AI models using Ollama or llama.cpp for completely air-gapped deployments. No external connections required once configured, making it perfect for highly secure environments.
What's the difference between community and enterprise editions?+
The community edition (AGPL-3.0) includes all core functionality for small teams. Enterprise features like granular RBAC, SSO integration, advanced audit trails, and professional support are available for larger organizations.
How much does it cost to run Pinchy?+
Pinchy itself is free (open source). Your costs are server hosting and AI model API usage. Typical costs range from £50-500/month depending on usage volume and model choice. Local models eliminate API costs entirely.
Do I need to be technical to install Pinchy?+
Basic Docker knowledge is required, but the installation is straightforward with docker compose. The web dashboard handles most configuration. For enterprise deployments, we recommend professional installation and training.
Can I migrate from existing OpenClaw setups?+
Yes, but it requires planning. Pinchy can import OpenClaw skills and configurations, but the permission model differs. We provide migration tools and can assist with complex transitions.
What happens if Pinchy development stops?+
Pinchy is open source (AGPL-3.0) so you always have the code. The OpenClaw foundation remains solid regardless. However, the project has strong backing and an active community - development is accelerating, not slowing.
How does Pinchy handle security and compliance?+
All data stays on your infrastructure. Pinchy includes encryption at rest, audit trails with HMAC verification, role-based access controls, and plugin-level permissions. It's designed for regulated industries like healthcare and finance.
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