Security-conscious self-hosting
Run an always-on agent with stronger isolation, explicit network rules and credentials kept outside the sandbox.
Independent tool overview
NemoClaw at a glance
NVIDIA NemoClaw is an open-source reference stack and command-line toolkit for running supported AI agents inside OpenShell sandboxes with default-deny policies, managed inference and host-side credential routing.
Visit the official NemoClaw site ↗
- Product type
- Open-source agent security and operations stack
- License
- Apache 2.0
- Sandbox runtime
- NVIDIA OpenShell
- Default agent
- OpenClaw
- Deployment
- Linux hosts with a compatible container runtime
- Software price
- Free; infrastructure and inference cost extra
Overview
What NemoClaw is
NemoClaw wraps supported agents—OpenClaw by default—in NVIDIA OpenShell containers. It adds guided setup, lifecycle commands, managed inference and declarative policies for network, filesystem and process access.
Its strongest value is infrastructure-level risk reduction. The sandbox can limit what an agent reaches, keep model-provider keys outside the agent environment and require explicit approval for new destinations or actions.
NemoClaw does not make an autonomous agent inherently safe. Prompt injection, tool authorization, plugins, messaging permissions and context exposure remain application-layer responsibilities handled by the agent and its operator.
Use cases
Who NemoClaw is best for
The strongest fit depends on the job you need the product to complete, not the size of its feature list.
Testing agent integrations
Constrain experimental tools and external endpoints before granting them broader access.
Multi-provider inference
Switch among supported hosted or local model routes without handing raw provider keys to the agent.
Capabilities
Core NemoClaw features
Hardened sandboxes
OpenShell uses Linux isolation controls including network namespaces, seccomp and filesystem restrictions to reduce an agent's blast radius.
Default-deny network policy
Outbound hosts, ports and methods can be allowlisted, with operator approval required for policy expansion.
Host-side secret routing
The inference gateway injects upstream credentials after a sandbox request, so the agent does not receive the raw API key.
Managed inference
Official profiles cover NVIDIA endpoints, OpenRouter, OpenAI, Anthropic and Gemini, plus selected local OpenAI-compatible backends.
Reproducible blueprints
Versioned blueprints and digest verification help operators reproduce and inspect the environment they deploy.
Lifecycle commands
A single CLI handles onboarding, startup, status checks, policy operations and supported agent aliases.
Process
How the NemoClaw workflow works
Step 1
Prepare an isolated host
Use a supported Linux system with a compatible container runtime and avoid mixing the agent with sensitive host workloads.
Step 2
Onboard the agent and model
Install NemoClaw, select a supported agent and configure a hosted or local inference profile.
Step 3
Start with minimal permissions
Keep the default-deny policy and add only the network destinations, files and actions the workflow needs.
Step 4
Approve integrations deliberately
Validate endpoints and review each requested policy expansion instead of granting broad access.
Step 5
Monitor and recreate when needed
Inspect agent behavior and rebuild the sandbox when changing controls that cannot be updated safely at runtime.
Cost
NemoClaw pricing and free plan
NemoClaw itself is free under the Apache 2.0 license. Operating cost depends on the host, model provider and any paid integrations the agent uses.
NemoClaw software
Free
Open-source reference stack, blueprints and CLI.
- Apache 2.0 license
- Self-hosted deployment
- Support is primarily documentation and community based
Hosted inference
Provider pricing
Use a supported hosted model endpoint through the managed inference gateway.
- Usage charges come from the selected provider
- Model availability and limits vary by provider
- External search or integration APIs may add separate fees
Local inference
Infrastructure cost
Run a supported local backend such as Ollama, vLLM or NVIDIA NIM.
- Requires suitable compute and storage
- Energy, maintenance and operations are not free
- Some local provider paths have limited or experimental support
Pricing checked . Check current pricing at the source ↗
Assessment
NemoClaw strengths and limitations
Where it stands out
- Reduces infrastructure-level blast radius with layered Linux and container controls
- Keeps model-provider credentials outside the agent sandbox
- Makes outbound access explicit and reviewable
- Supports both hosted and selected local inference routes
- Uses an inspectable open-source stack with reproducible blueprints
What to consider
- It is not a complete agent security solution and cannot guarantee safe behavior
- Prompt injection, tool policies, plugin scanning and messaging access remain application-layer concerns
- A compromised host, container runtime flaw or overly broad policy can still expose data and systems
- Self-hosting requires Linux, container, networking and security operations expertise
- Some policy changes require recreating the sandbox
- Local backends and compatible endpoints have varying levels of support
Compare
NemoClaw alternatives
The right alternative depends on the specific output, workflow, controls and budget your project requires.
Agents
OpenClaw
Choose OpenClaw by itself when you want the assistant runtime and are prepared to manage its native security controls.
Explore OpenClaw →Agents
Manus Cloud Computer
Consider Manus for a managed cloud-agent environment instead of operating your own sandbox infrastructure.
Explore Manus Cloud Computer →Agents
Workspace Agents
Consider Workspace Agents for governed team workflows centered on ChatGPT and Slack.
Explore Workspace Agents →Questions
NemoClaw FAQs
What is NemoClaw?
NemoClaw is NVIDIA's open-source reference stack for running supported AI agents more safely inside OpenShell sandboxes. It adds onboarding, policy controls, managed inference and lifecycle operations.
Is NemoClaw free and open source?
Yes. The repository uses the Apache 2.0 license. You still pay for the host, any cloud or local compute, model usage and paid integrations.
Is NemoClaw the same as OpenClaw?
No. OpenClaw is the default agent NemoClaw deploys. NemoClaw supplies the OpenShell sandbox, inference routing, policies and operational tooling around it.
Does NemoClaw guarantee an AI agent is safe?
No. It provides meaningful infrastructure controls, but application risks such as prompt injection, unsafe tools, plugins and excessive messaging permissions still require separate safeguards and human oversight.
Does NemoClaw require an NVIDIA GPU?
Not for every setup. It can route requests to supported hosted providers, while local model deployments may require suitable NVIDIA or other supported hardware depending on the backend.
Where are model API keys stored?
Official custom-endpoint guidance keeps provider credentials on the host. The gateway adds the credential to the upstream request, so the sandboxed agent does not receive the raw key.
Bottom line
Our NemoClaw verdict
NemoClaw is a compelling foundation for technical teams that want to self-host powerful agents with stronger isolation and explicit egress controls. Treat it as a blast-radius and operations layer—not proof that the agent, its tools or its prompts are secure.
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