# How to Set Up File Storage in OpenClaw Workspaces OpenClaw agents need files that stick around between sessions in shared workspaces. Developers set up persistent storage on Fastio using the remote MCP server for file operations and RAG. This guide walks through remote MCP configuration, workspace setup, file handling, version history, and AI queries. Test workflows with the 14-day Business Trial. Source: https://fast.io/resources/openclaw-file-storage/ Last reviewed: 2026-02-17 ## What Is OpenClaw Persistent File Storage? OpenClaw file storage keeps files in cloud workspaces across agent sessions. Local storage wipes out on every restart or machine switch. OpenClaw, an open-source personal AI assistant, runs locally. Cloud storage helps keep workflows running smoothly. Fastio workspaces let OpenClaw upload files, organize folders, track versions, and share them with a consolidated MCP toolset. Changes get versioned automatically with restore. Granular permissions and audit logs protect against overwrites. Files index once Intelligence is enabled. Fastio workspaces offer persistent cloud storage starting with 1 TB on Starter. Good for developers building OpenClaw workflows. **Key Benefits:** - **Persistence:** Files available across OpenClaw sessions and machines. - **Collaboration:** Multiple agents work on files with version history and audit logs to avoid conflicts. - **Intelligence:** Enable Intelligence Mode. Files index for queries once enabled, such as "Summarize all reports from Q1." ## Why Persistent Storage Matters for OpenClaw Agents OpenClaw agents run locally. They manage emails, calendars, and files through WhatsApp or Telegram chats. They build reports, process documents, analyze data, and team up with other agents on complex tasks. Local storage works for single sessions. Files disappear on shutdown or reboot. Multiple agents clash on edits without coordination. Humans struggle to get agent outputs without manual handoffs. Fastio workspaces solve this: - Files last across sessions and machines. - Version history and granular permissions prevent conflicting overwrites. - Ownership transfer hands work from agent to human. - URL imports from Drive/Dropbox skip local downloads. Fastio docs note the MCP server provides a consolidated MCP toolset for full API access. | Local Storage | Fastio Persistent Storage | |---------------|----------------------------| | Resets on restart | Files persist forever | | No multi-agent locks | Version history and audit log | | Manual handoffs | Ownership transfer | | Local I/O required | URL imports, no downloads | | No AI search | Built-in RAG with citations | ### Common Pain Points Solved Developers hit these issues without persistent storage: - **Chat attachments vanish:** Files in WhatsApp or Telegram disappear when chats end or machines restart. - **No multi-agent sync:** Agents overwrite each other's work without version history or audit logs. - **File handoff mess:** Agents zip and email files to humans, causing version mixups and security issues. - **Can't search contents:** No easy way to query across project files semantically. ### Evidence from Fastio Benchmarks Fastio MCP server includes a consolidated MCP toolset, matching web UI access. Video files use HLS streaming, which loads 50-60% faster than standard downloads, per Fastio docs. ## Prerequisites Make sure you have: 1. OpenClaw installed ([openclaw.ai](https://openclaw.ai)) via one-liner or npm. 2. Fastio account ([go.fast.io/signup](https://go.fast.io/signup)) with a 14-day Business Trial or Starter plan. 3. Terminal access for commands. 4. Optional: Set LLM (Claude, GPT, Gemini, LLaMA, local) in OpenClaw. Fastio plans provide persistent storage starting at 1 TB on Starter, with usage-based credits across plans. **Examples:** - Store 10GB: 1,000 credits - Transfer 5GB: 1,060 credits - Index 100 pages: 1,000 credits Total under 3,500 credits. ## Step 1: Connect to Fastio Remote MCP Server Connect OpenClaw directly to the remote Fastio MCP server at `https://mcp.fast.io/mcp` (Streamable HTTP) or `https://mcp.fast.io/mcp/key` with your scoped key. Run: ```bash # Remote MCP endpoint: ``` or ```bash # https://mcp.fast.io/mcp ``` Tools register right away. No config files, env vars, or dashboard steps. First use opens browser for auth. Pick PKCE login (no password shared) or API key from Fastio settings. **Expected:** Fastio tools available via remote MCP connection. ## Step 2: Create and Configure Workspace Tell OpenClaw: "Create a Fastio workspace called 'project-files' with intelligence enabled." It creates the workspace and sets intelligence: true. List files: "Show files in project-files." Upload: "Upload this attachment to /docs in project-files." Folders create automatically. Other commands: "List all workspaces", "Transfer ownership of project-files to email@example.com", "Enable intelligence on project-files". ## Step 3: File Operations and Versioning Agents handle file operations with natural language while Fastio preserves version history: "Upload this attachment to /docs in project-files." Fastio supports chunked uploads for large files and automatically versions every update. If multiple agents modify the same document, every revision is preserved in version history with one-click restore. An append-only audit log records every agent action. ## Step 4: AI Querying and Sharing Once Intelligence is enabled for the workspace, ask OpenClaw: "Summarize Q1 reports in project-files." Ripley and document chat find files, summarize, and cite sources with pages or timestamps. Share: "Create Send share for /deliverables in project-files, password protected, 30-day expiry." Gets branded link. Videos stream HLS, 50-60% faster loads. **Example:** Share: https://go.fast.io/project-files-deliverables-abc123 Password: generated-pass Expires: 2026-03-19 RAG queries provide cited answers across workspace files. Shares include Send/Receive/Exchange modes with granular controls. ## Advanced: Remote MCP Connectivity Connect to https://mcp.fast.io/mcp (Streamable HTTP) or legacy SSE at https://mcp.fast.io/sse for a consolidated MCP toolset. Clients connect directly via URL with scoped API keys or PKCE browser login. Remote MCP connectivity provides unified control suited for custom or high-volume agent workflows. Define clear tool contracts and fallback behavior so agents fail safely when dependencies are unavailable. This improves reliability in production workflows. ## Frequently asked questions ### How to configure OpenClaw file storage? Configure OpenClaw to connect to https://mcp.fast.io/mcp, authenticate via PKCE or scoped API key, and manage workspaces with natural language. ### What is OpenClaw persistent storage? Fastio cloud workspaces keep files across sessions, with automatic version history, granular permissions, and semantic search once Intelligence is enabled. ### Does it support multi-agent file sharing? Yes, workspace permissions, file version history, and an append-only audit log prevent conflicting edits. ### What plans are available for OpenClaw storage? Fastio offers Starter ($29/mo, 1 TB), Business ($99/mo, 10 TB), and Growth ($299/mo, 50 TB), plus a 14-day Business Trial at /pricing/. ### Does it work with any LLM? Yes, Claude, GPT-4, Gemini, LLaMA, and local models can connect to Fastio via MCP. ### How to handle usage-based credits? Fastio plans include monthly credits with usage-based billing for additional credits. Transfer workspace ownership to human accounts when handoffs are complete. ### What about large video files? Fastio supports chunked uploads and automatic HLS streaming, loading previews 50-60% faster. ### How to query file contents? Once Intelligence is enabled for the workspace, ask "Summarize reports in /docs" for document chat with citations. ## About Fast.io Fast.io provides shared workspaces where people and AI agents work on the same files, with built-in semantic search and citation-backed chat over what they hold. Agents reach it through a remote MCP server at https://mcp.fast.io/mcp, a REST API at https://api.fast.io/current/, and a command line client published on npm as @vividengine/fastio-cli.