A format and rebuild returns your instance to its just-installed state. It solves the situation where you've changed so many settings you've lost track and want to start over.
But the operation cannot be undone, so a few things are worth confirming before you click.
30-second overview
| Item | Status |
|---|---|
| Conversation history, agent settings, skills | Wiped |
| Workspace files | Wiped |
| Telegram / Discord integrations | Wiped |
| Your subdomain | Kept |
| Subscription plan and billing | Unaffected |
| Gateway Token | Kept; authentication still works |
| Can it be undone | No |
| How long it takes | About 30 seconds |
What gets wiped
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Workspace files | Every file under the workspace directory |
| Agent settings | Model choice, API key, and other configuration |
| Conversation history | All past conversations |
| Paired devices | Telegram / Discord bot connections |
| Installed skills | Every skill you have installed |
What is unaffected
- Your subdomain — your dedicated URL does not change, so nothing pointing at it from outside needs adjusting
- Your subscription plan — billing and charges are completely unaffected; a rebuild is not a re-subscription
- Your Gateway Token — the system keeps your existing token, so automatic authentication still works
That third point is deliberate: if the token changed too, you would have to reconfigure every external integration, which would make a rebuild far more expensive.
Three things to check before you click
1. Is there anything in the workspace you still need?
Everything OpenClaw produces lives in the workspace. Data you organized, scripts you wrote, content you downloaded — all gone after a rebuild. Download a copy first.
2. Can you still find your API key?
You have to enter the API key again after a rebuild. If that key exists only inside OpenClaw and your password manager has no copy, you will have to generate a new one from the provider's console.
3. Does the problem actually require a rebuild?
This is the question most worth asking. In practice, most problems don't need one — a wrong setting can be changed, a broken skill can be removed, and a model that won't connect is usually a key problem.
The troubleshooting order is in the FAQ. A rebuild is the last resort, not the first step.
Backups: the only thing that can save you
A rebuild can't be undone, so backing up beforehand isn't advice — it's your only insurance.
What to back up
- Workspace files — data you organized, scripts you wrote, content you produced
- API keys — store them in a password manager, not only in OpenClaw's settings
- Your skill list — which ones you installed and in what order; a screenshot is enough
- Prompts or persona settings — don't rely on memory for something you spent a long time tuning
When to back up
Not at the moment you decide to rebuild — it should be routine. By the time you want to rebuild, you are usually in "something is broken, fix it fast" mode, and that is exactly when things get missed.
A more practical habit: every time you finish a chunk of valuable work, save the output somewhere outside. That's easier to sustain than scheduling separate backup sessions.
The steps
- Sign in to the RoamerHost dashboard
- Click "My Instances" and select the instance to rebuild
- Scroll to the "Danger Zone" at the bottom of the page
- Click "Format and Rebuild"
- Type the confirmation string in the dialog
- Wait about 30 seconds for it to finish
Having to type a confirmation string is intentional — an operation like this should not sit behind a single button.
What to do after a rebuild
When it finishes, opening the Dashboard shows the initial setup screen. Three things need redoing:
- Configure the AI model and API key — see the API key setup guide
- Reconnect your messaging platforms — see the Telegram and Discord setup guide
- Reinstall your skills — see the skill installation and management guide
Use that order: connect the model first and confirm you can hold a conversation, then deal with integrations and skills. If you configure everything at once, you won't know which piece caused a problem.
How to reduce the odds of rebuilding again
Change one setting at a time
Swap the model, install three skills, and tweak the prompt all at once, and you can't tell which one broke things. This is the most common way people end up unable to say what they changed.
Don't keep important files only in the workspace
The workspace is a work area, not storage. Save valuable output elsewhere on a regular basis.
Keep API keys in a password manager
Don't store them only in OpenClaw's settings. That way rebuilds, instance moves, and plan changes never get stuck.
When to rebuild and when not to
This is the most important judgment call in the article. Most people who hit rebuild actually have an easier option available.
| Your situation | Rebuild? |
|---|---|
| You've changed settings until you can't say what you changed | Yes — this is exactly what it's for |
| Too many skills installed and behavior has gotten strange | Try removing skills first; that usually fixes it |
| The model won't connect and keeps erroring | No — check the API key and quota first |
| Responses are slow | No — that's the model's response time |
| You want to hand the instance to someone else | Yes — clearing the old data is cleaner |
| Too much conversation history and you want it gone | Check whether you can delete items individually first |
The principle: always ask whether there's a smaller fix for this problem. Anything a rebuild solves can usually be solved another way, without a round of reconfiguration.
Rebuilding and changing plans are separate things
A common confusion: thinking you need to rebuild before upgrading a plan.
You don't. Changing plans doesn't wipe the instance; your settings, skills, and conversations all stay. These are two separate operations, so don't rebuild just to change plans.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Does a rebuild affect my subscription?
No. Your plan, billing, and billing cycle are all unaffected, and your subdomain is kept.
Q: Do I have to pay again after a rebuild?
No. This clears the instance's contents; it is not a cancellation and re-signup.
Q: Can I clear only the conversation history and leave other settings alone?
A format and rebuild wipes everything as a package. If you only want to clear conversations, check whether the Dashboard offers individual deletion first — if a small fix works, don't reach for the big one.
Q: Will my subdomain change after a rebuild?
No. It is deliberately preserved so your external integrations and bookmarks don't need changing.
Q: How long does it take?
About 30 seconds. If it's clearly past that and still processing, contacting support is more useful than clicking the button again.
Related articles
- OpenClaw post-install setup: launching your AI agent from scratch
- API key setup guide: configuring an AI model for OpenClaw
- OpenClaw messaging integrations: Telegram and Discord setup
- OpenClaw FAQ
- RoamerHost OpenClaw hosting plans
Want someone to build it for you?
If you'd rather not assemble these workflows yourself, or the scale is big enough that you want someone planning alongside you, Roamer Tech (RoamerHost's parent company) takes on contract work for business process automation and AI agent development:
