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+---
+summary: "Unified installer for gateway and node deployments across macOS, Linux (Debian/Ubuntu/Rocky)"
+read_when:
+  - You want to deploy Moltbot with a reverse proxy (gateway mode)
+  - You want to deploy Moltbot standalone (node mode)
+  - You need multi-OS support (macOS, Debian/Ubuntu, Rocky Linux)
+---
+
+# Unified Installer (init.sh)
+
+The unified installer script (`scripts/init.sh`) merges the functionality of `init_macos.sh` and `init_vhost.sh` into a single, cross-platform deployment tool.
+
+## Quick Start
+
+```bash
+# Gateway mode with Caddy (default)
+./scripts/init.sh clawdbot.svc.plus
+
+# Node mode (no proxy)
+MODE=node ./scripts/init.sh clawdbot.svc.plus
+
+# Gateway mode with Nginx
+PROXY=nginx CERTBOT_EMAIL=admin@example.com ./scripts/init.sh clawdbot.svc.plus
+```
+
+## Deployment Modes
+
+### Gateway Mode (default)
+
+Installs and configures:
+- **Reverse Proxy** (Caddy or Nginx)
+- **Moltbot** (gateway service)
+- **Node.js 24** runtime
+- **Automatic TLS** (via Caddy or Certbot)
+- **Firewall rules** (ports 22, 80, 443, 18789)
+
+**Use cases**:
+- Production deployments with public HTTPS access
+- Multi-tenant setups requiring TLS termination
+- Environments needing centralized access control
+
+**Example**:
+```bash
+# Caddy with automatic TLS
+./scripts/init.sh moltbot.example.com
+
+# Nginx with Certbot
+PROXY=nginx CERTBOT_EMAIL=ops@example.com ./scripts/init.sh moltbot.example.com
+```
+
+### Node Mode
+
+Installs and configures:
+- **Moltbot** (gateway service)
+- **Node.js 24** runtime
+
+**Use cases**:
+- Development environments
+- Internal deployments behind existing reverse proxies
+- Docker/Kubernetes environments (where ingress is handled externally)
+
+**Example**:
+```bash
+MODE=node ./scripts/init.sh localhost
+```
+
+## Supported Platforms
+
+| OS | Gateway Mode | Node Mode | Notes |
+|---|---|---|---|
+| **macOS** | ✅ Caddy only | ✅ | Requires Homebrew |
+| **Debian/Ubuntu** | ✅ Caddy or Nginx | ✅ | UFW firewall |
+| **Rocky Linux / RHEL** | ⚠️ Nginx only* | ✅ | firewalld |
+
+\* Caddy requires manual installation or EPEL on Rocky Linux
+
+## Environment Variables
+
+### Core Configuration
+
+| Variable | Default | Description |
+|---|---|---|
+| `MODE` | `gateway` | Deployment mode: `gateway` or `node` |
+| `PROXY` | `caddy` | Proxy type: `caddy` or `nginx` (gateway mode only) |
+| `INSTALL_METHOD` | `npm` | Install method: `npm` or `git` |
+| `CLAWDBOT_VERSION` | `latest` | Version to install (npm method only) |
+
+### Proxy Configuration
+
+| Variable | Default | Description |
+|---|---|---|
+| `CERTBOT_EMAIL` | _(empty)_ | Email for Certbot (nginx mode only) |
+| `GIT_REPO` | `https://github.com/cloud-neutral-toolkit/clawdbot.svc.plus.git` | Git repository URL (git install method) |
+
+## Installation Methods
+
+### NPM Install (default)
+
+Installs the latest published version from npm:
+
+```bash
+./scripts/init.sh clawdbot.svc.plus
+```
+
+**Pros**:
+- Fast installation
+- Stable releases
+- Automatic updates via npm
+
+**Cons**:
+- Cannot use unreleased features
+- Requires npm registry access
+
+### Git Install
+
+Clones and builds from the source repository:
+
+```bash
+INSTALL_METHOD=git ./scripts/init.sh clawdbot.svc.plus
+```
+
+**Pros**:
+- Access to latest development features
+- Full source code available
+- Custom modifications possible
+
+**Cons**:
+- Longer installation time (build required)
+- Requires Git and pnpm
+- May include unstable features
+
+## Proxy Comparison
+
+### Caddy (Recommended)
+
+**Advantages**:
+- Automatic TLS certificate management (ACME)
+- Zero configuration for HTTPS
+- Built-in HTTP/2 and HTTP/3 support
+- Simpler configuration syntax
+
+**Disadvantages**:
+- Not available in default Rocky Linux repos
+- Less mature than Nginx
+
+**Configuration location**:
+- Linux: `/etc/caddy/Caddyfile`
+- macOS: `$(brew --prefix)/etc/Caddyfile`
+
+**Example Caddyfile**:
+```
+clawdbot.svc.plus {
+  reverse_proxy 127.0.0.1:18789
+}
+```
+
+### Nginx + Certbot
+
+**Advantages**:
+- Widely available in all Linux distributions
+- Mature and battle-tested
+- Extensive ecosystem and documentation
+
+**Disadvantages**:
+- Requires separate Certbot setup for TLS
+- More complex configuration
+- Manual certificate renewal management
+
+**Configuration location**:
+- `/etc/nginx/sites-available/clawdbot-<domain>.conf`
+
+**Example Nginx config**:
+```nginx
+server {
+  listen 80;
+  server_name clawdbot.svc.plus;
+
+  location / {
+    proxy_pass http://127.0.0.1:18789;
+    proxy_http_version 1.1;
+    proxy_set_header Host $host;
+    proxy_set_header X-Real-IP $remote_addr;
+    proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-For $proxy_add_x_forwarded_for;
+    proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-Proto $scheme;
+    proxy_set_header Upgrade $http_upgrade;
+    proxy_set_header Connection "upgrade";
+  }
+}
+```
+
+## Firewall Configuration
+
+### Debian/Ubuntu (UFW)
+
+The installer automatically configures UFW:
+
+```bash
+# Ports opened
+- 22/tcp   (SSH)
+- 80/tcp   (HTTP)
+- 443/tcp  (HTTPS)
+- 18789/tcp (Moltbot gateway)
+
+# Default policies
+- Outgoing: ALLOW
+- Incoming: DENY (except allowed ports)
+```
+
+### Rocky Linux / RHEL (firewalld)
+
+The installer automatically configures firewalld:
+
+```bash
+# Ports opened
+- 22/tcp
+- 80/tcp
+- 443/tcp
+- 18789/tcp
+
+# Service enabled
+systemctl enable --now firewalld
+```
+
+### macOS
+
+macOS uses application-level firewall. Port management is left to the operator.
+
+## Health Checks
+
+The installer performs automatic health checks:
+
+1. **Local Gateway Check**:
+   ```bash
+   curl http://127.0.0.1:18789
+   ```
+
+2. **Public HTTPS Check** (gateway mode only):
+   ```bash
+   curl https://<domain>
+   ```
+
+**Retry logic**:
+- 5 attempts
+- 2-second delay between attempts
+- 5-second timeout per attempt
+
+## Post-Installation
+
+### View Configuration
+
+```bash
+# View trusted proxies
+clawdbot config get gateway.trustedProxies
+
+# View all gateway config
+clawdbot config get gateway
+```
+
+### View Logs
+
+**macOS**:
+```bash
+tail -f /tmp/clawdbot/clawdbot-gateway.log
+```
+
+**Linux**:
+```bash
+journalctl --user -u clawdbot-gateway --no-pager -f
+```
+
+### Restart Services
+
+**Caddy**:
+```bash
+# macOS
+brew services restart caddy
+
+# Linux
+sudo systemctl restart caddy
+```
+
+**Nginx**:
+```bash
+sudo systemctl restart nginx
+```
+
+**Moltbot**:
+```bash
+# macOS
+clawdbot restart
+
+# Linux
+systemctl --user restart clawdbot-gateway
+```
+
+## Troubleshooting
+
+### TLS Certificate Issues (Caddy)
+
+**Symptom**: HTTPS not working after installation
+
+**Solution**:
+1. Check Caddy logs:
+   ```bash
+   # macOS
+   tail -f $(brew --prefix)/var/log/caddy.log
+   
+   # Linux
+   sudo journalctl -u caddy -f
+   ```
+
+2. Verify DNS points to server:
+   ```bash
+   dig +short <domain>
+   ```
+
+3. Ensure ports 80/443 are accessible:
+   ```bash
+   curl -I http://<domain>
+   ```
+
+### TLS Certificate Issues (Nginx + Certbot)
+
+**Symptom**: Certbot fails to obtain certificate
+
+**Solution**:
+1. Check Certbot logs:
+   ```bash
+   sudo tail -f /var/log/letsencrypt/letsencrypt.log
+   ```
+
+2. Verify Nginx is serving HTTP:
+   ```bash
+   curl -I http://<domain>
+   ```
+
+3. Manually run Certbot:
+   ```bash
+   sudo certbot --nginx -d <domain>
+   ```
+
+### Node.js Version Issues
+
+**Symptom**: `node: command not found` or version < 24
+
+**Solution**:
+```bash
+# Debian/Ubuntu
+curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_24.x | sudo -E bash -
+sudo apt-get install -y nodejs
+
+# Rocky Linux
+curl -fsSL https://rpm.nodesource.com/setup_24.x | sudo -E bash -
+sudo dnf install -y nodejs
+
+# macOS
+brew install node@24
+brew link --overwrite --force node@24
+```
+
+### Permission Issues (npm global install)
+
+**Symptom**: `EACCES` errors during npm install
+
+**Solution**:
+The installer automatically configures npm prefix to `~/.npm-global`. If issues persist:
+
+```bash
+# Verify npm prefix
+npm config get prefix
+
+# Should output: /home/<user>/.npm-global
+
+# Add to PATH if missing
+echo 'export PATH="$HOME/.npm-global/bin:$PATH"' >> ~/.bashrc
+source ~/.bashrc
+```
+
+### Firewall Blocking Access
+
+**Symptom**: Cannot access service from external network
+
+**Solution**:
+
+**UFW (Debian/Ubuntu)**:
+```bash
+# Check status
+sudo ufw status verbose
+
+# Manually allow ports
+sudo ufw allow 80/tcp
+sudo ufw allow 443/tcp
+```
+
+**firewalld (Rocky Linux)**:
+```bash
+# Check status
+sudo firewall-cmd --list-all
+
+# Manually allow ports
+sudo firewall-cmd --permanent --add-port=80/tcp
+sudo firewall-cmd --permanent --add-port=443/tcp
+sudo firewall-cmd --reload
+```
+
+## Advanced Usage
+
+### Custom Git Repository
+
+```bash
+GIT_REPO=https://github.com/myorg/clawdbot-fork.git \
+INSTALL_METHOD=git \
+./scripts/init.sh clawdbot.svc.plus
+```
+
+### Specific Version (npm)
+
+```bash
+CLAWDBOT_VERSION=1.2.3 ./scripts/init.sh clawdbot.svc.plus
+```
+
+### Non-Interactive Installation
+
+```bash
+# Ensure no prompts (useful for automation)
+MODE=gateway \
+PROXY=caddy \
+INSTALL_METHOD=npm \
+./scripts/init.sh clawdbot.svc.plus
+```
+
+### Development Setup
+
+```bash
+# Node mode for local development
+MODE=node \
+INSTALL_METHOD=git \
+./scripts/init.sh localhost
+```
+
+## Security Considerations
+
+1. **TLS Certificates**: Always use HTTPS in production (gateway mode)
+2. **Firewall**: The installer configures basic firewall rules, but review and adjust based on your security requirements
+3. **SSH Access**: Port 22 is opened by default; consider changing SSH port or using key-based authentication only
+4. **Updates**: Regularly update Moltbot and system packages
+5. **Certbot Email**: Provide a valid email for certificate expiration notifications
+
+## Comparison with Legacy Installers
+
+| Feature | init.sh (Unified) | init_macos.sh | init_vhost.sh |
+|---|---|---|---|
+| macOS Support | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
+| Linux Support | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
+| Rocky Linux | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
+| Node Mode | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
+| Gateway Mode | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
+| Caddy Support | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
+| Nginx Support | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
+| Auto Firewall | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
+
+## Migration from Legacy Installers
+
+If you previously used `init_macos.sh` or `init_vhost.sh`, you can migrate to the unified installer:
+
+1. **Backup current configuration**:
+   ```bash
+   clawdbot config export > clawdbot-config-backup.json
+   ```
+
+2. **Run unified installer**:
+   ```bash
+   ./scripts/init.sh <your-domain>
+   ```
+
+3. **Restore configuration if needed**:
+   ```bash
+   clawdbot config import < clawdbot-config-backup.json
+   ```
+
+The unified installer will detect existing installations and update them appropriately.