Aleph Cloud Self Deployment skill

Aleph Cloud Self-Deployment: VM & Multi-Node Fleet Management

Framework for deploying and managing persistent/confidential VMs on Aleph Cloud's decentralized compute network using the official aleph-client CLI, with patterns for running an OpenClaw agent runtime across one or many nodes (Tailscale mesh, HAProxy distribution, pull-based backup, and hardening).

Verify before you ship. Aleph CLI flags, OpenClaw install commands, and pricing change over time. This skill is current as of Jun 2026. Note: docs.aleph.cloud's CLI reference now documents a rewritten aleph-cli (installed via Homebrew, apt, or cargo) whose syntax differs from the Python aleph-client used throughout this skill; this skill targets the Python aleph-client (PyPI, v1.9.x). Authoritative sources, used throughout: the Aleph CLI command reference at https://docs.aleph.cloud/devhub/sdks-and-tools/aleph-cli/ (instance subcommands: https://docs.aleph.cloud/devhub/sdks-and-tools/aleph-cli/commands/instance.html), and OpenClaw docs at https://docs.openclaw.ai/. Run aleph instance create --help and aleph pricing instance to confirm current flags and prices on your machine.

If you installed the rewritten aleph-cli from the docs instead of the Python aleph-client, translate commands: aleph pricing instance -> aleph instance price (--size 2vcpu-4gb, --json); aleph account address -> aleph account show; aleph account create --private-key ... -> aleph account import <name> --private-key; instance create --name X --compute-units N --rootfs-size MIB -> instance create X --vcpus/--memory/--disk-size; --crn-url/--crn-auto-tac -> --crn-hash. Run aleph instance create --help to see which client you have.

Sibling skills. This skill focuses on Aleph-specific provisioning and fleet orchestration. For deep, vendor-neutral coverage prefer: security-hardening (SSH/firewall/CIS), monitoring-observability (metrics, alerting, log pipelines), and docker-production (Compose v2, image hygiene). Use those alongside this one rather than duplicating their depth here.

Safety gate

Before executing commands or changing external systems, confirm scope, credentials, target environment, rollback, and required approval. Pin and verify third-party artifacts; never expose secrets to client code or logs.

Reference guide

Read only the references needed for the current request:

• Table of Contents: references/table-of-contents.md
• Infrastructure Planning & Architecture: references/infrastructure-planning-architecture.md
• Quick Start — tested single-VM happy path: references/quick-start-tested-single-vm-happy-path.md
• Single Node Deployment Foundation: references/single-node-deployment-foundation.md
• Multi-Node Fleet Management: references/multi-node-fleet-management.md
• Auto-Provisioning Protocol (SRP): references/auto-provisioning-protocol-srp.md
• Inter-VM Communication Networks: references/inter-vm-communication-networks.md
• Load Distribution & Orchestration: references/load-distribution-orchestration.md
• Disaster Recovery & Auto-Recreation: references/disaster-recovery-auto-recreation.md
• Emergency Response Procedures: references/emergency-response-procedures.md
• Backup Verification: references/backup-verification.md
• Contact Information: references/contact-information.md
• Post-Incident Procedures: references/post-incident-procedures.md
• Cost Optimization Strategies: references/cost-optimization-strategies.md
• Security Hardening Framework: references/security-hardening-framework.md
• Monitoring & Maintenance: references/monitoring-maintenance.md