Docker Model Runner Setup · Live · April 26

The Complete Docker Model Runner Setup Guide — From Install to Running LLMs

Setting up Docker Model Runner properly is the foundation of a reliable local AI setup. This live guide covers the complete setup — model selection, memory configuration, API endpoint setup, and connecting it to OpenClaw for a working private AI assistant.

Sunday, April 26 9am to 1pm EDT

4 Hours Hands-on coding

Live Online Interactive

Workshop Details

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Date and Time

Sunday, April 26, 2026

9:00am to 1:00pm EDT

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Duration

4 Hours · Hands-on

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Format

Live Online · Interactive

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Includes

Certificate of Completion

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Privacy

100% Local · No Cloud Required

By Packt Publishing · Refunds up to 10 days before

About This Docker Model Runner Setup Guide

Why This Docker Model Runner Setup Guide Covers More Than Installation

Installing Docker Model Runner takes minutes. Configuring it correctly for production use — right model size, memory limits, API settings, and OpenClaw integration — is what this live setup guide covers in full.

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What is OpenClaw?

OpenClaw is the open-source personal AI assistant that went viral in early 2026 with 200K+ GitHub stars. It runs on your own devices and connects to WhatsApp, Telegram, Slack and more. No subscription. No data leaving your machine.

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What is Docker Model Runner?

Docker Model Runner is Docker's native feature for running large language models locally on your machine. It gives you an OpenAI-compatible API that OpenClaw uses as its AI brain — complete data privacy, no cloud costs.

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Why Combine OpenClaw and Docker?

OpenClaw gives you the assistant interface and messaging integrations. Docker Model Runner gives you the AI brain running privately on your machine. Together they create a production grade private AI assistant you fully own.

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Why Attend as a Live Workshop?

Setting this up from scattered documentation takes days of debugging. This live workshop gives you a complete guided build in 4 hours with a live instructor answering your questions. Packt has delivered 108 workshops worldwide.

Docker Model Runner Setup Guide Curriculum

What This Docker Model Runner Setup Guide Covers

Six modules. From Docker Model Runner installation to a fully configured private AI assistant.

How OpenClaw Works

Understand the Gateway, channels, and skills architecture. Set up and configure OpenClaw locally from scratch.

Docker Model Runner Setup

Run and manage local LLMs using Docker Model Runner. Pull models, configure memory, and understand the OpenAI-compatible API.

Security and Privacy

Configure DM pairing, allowlists, sandbox mode, and proper access controls for your local AI deployment.

Connect to WhatsApp or Telegram

Deploy your AI assistant to real messaging platforms without sending data to any third party cloud service.

Scalable Architecture

Design an extensible assistant architecture. Add skills, configure personality, and set up proactive automation.

Production Deployment

Deploy your OpenClaw and Docker setup to a VPS for always-on availability running 24 hours a day.

What You Walk Away With

By the End of This Docker Model Runner Setup Guide You Will Have

A properly configured Docker Model Runner powering a working OpenClaw assistant.

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A fully functional local AI assistant running on your machine

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Docker Model Runner configured with your chosen LLM model

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OpenClaw connected to WhatsApp or Telegram

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Security and privacy configuration you can trust

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A reusable architecture for future AI assistant projects

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Certificate of completion from Packt Publishing

Your Instructor

Follow This Docker Model Runner Setup Guide With a Docker Captain

Rami Krispin is a Docker Captain with real production Docker Model Runner experience.

Rami Krispin

Workshop Instructor · April 26, 2026

Rami is a Senior Manager of Data Science and Engineering, Docker Captain, and LinkedIn Learning Instructor with deep expertise in building and deploying production AI systems. He guides you step by step from a blank terminal to a fully deployed private AI assistant — answering your questions live throughout the 4-hour session.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common Questions About Docker Model Runner Setup

Everything you need to know about setting up Docker Model Runner correctly.

What is the correct sequence for Docker Model Runner setup? +

The correct Docker Model Runner setup sequence is: install or update Docker Desktop to a version that includes Model Runner, enable the Model Runner feature in Docker Desktop settings, pull your chosen open weight model using the Docker Model Runner CLI, verify the OpenAI-compatible API endpoint is accessible, then connect your application — in this case OpenClaw — to the local API endpoint.

What Docker Desktop version is required for Model Runner setup? +

Docker Model Runner requires a recent version of Docker Desktop. The instructor covers the minimum required version and how to update Docker Desktop during the first module of this live setup guide.

How do I configure the Docker Model Runner memory limits? +

Memory configuration is a critical part of Docker Model Runner setup. The instructor covers how to set memory limits appropriate for your hardware, how to choose models that fit within your available RAM, and how to monitor memory usage during inference.

What port does Docker Model Runner use and how do I configure it? +

Docker Model Runner exposes an OpenAI-compatible API endpoint on a local port. This setup guide covers the default port configuration, how to change it if needed, and how to configure OpenClaw to connect to the correct endpoint. The instructor covers all networking aspects of the Docker Model Runner setup.

How do I know if my Docker Model Runner setup is working correctly? +

This setup guide covers verification steps for each stage of the Docker Model Runner configuration. You will learn to test the model inference directly, verify the API endpoint responds correctly, and confirm OpenClaw is successfully communicating with Docker Model Runner before moving to messaging platform integration.

Can I run multiple models with Docker Model Runner? +

Yes. Docker Model Runner supports running and switching between multiple open weight models. This setup guide covers how to manage multiple models, how to switch between them in OpenClaw, and how to configure different models for different use cases during the live session.