> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.profclaw.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Deployment Modes

> Compare pico, mini, and pro modes to choose the right setup

## Overview

profClaw runs in three deployment modes that control resource usage, available features, and scaling behavior. Set the mode via the `PROFCLAW_MODE` environment variable.

```bash theme={null}
export PROFCLAW_MODE=mini  # pico | mini | pro
```

```mermaid theme={null}
flowchart TD
  Env{"PROFCLAW_MODE"}
  Pico["pico\n512MB RAM / 1 core\n3 providers / 2 channels\nin-memory queue"]
  Mini["mini (default)\n2GB RAM / 2 cores\n15 providers / 10 channels\nin-memory queue"]
  Pro["pro\n8GB+ RAM / 4+ cores\n37 providers / 27 channels\nBullMQ + Redis\nclustering + sync"]

  Env -- "pico" --> Pico
  Env -- "mini" --> Mini
  Env -- "pro" --> Pro
```

## Mode Comparison

| Feature               | Pico      | Mini      | Pro            |
| --------------------- | --------- | --------- | -------------- |
| **RAM**               | 512MB     | 2GB       | 8GB+           |
| **CPU Cores**         | 1         | 2         | 4+             |
| **AI Providers**      | 3         | 15        | 37             |
| **Chat Channels**     | 2         | 10        | 27             |
| **Tools**             | 15        | 50        | 77+            |
| **Skills**            | 10        | 30        | 50             |
| **Queue**             | In-memory | In-memory | BullMQ + Redis |
| **Max Concurrent**    | 5         | 25        | 50+            |
| **Audit Logging**     | Basic     | Standard  | Full           |
| **Plugin Support**    | No        | Basic     | Full           |
| **MCP Servers**       | 1         | 5         | Unlimited      |
| **Backup/Restore**    | Manual    | Scheduled | Continuous     |
| **Multi-device Sync** | No        | No        | Yes            |
| **Clustering**        | No        | No        | Yes            |

## Pico Mode

Designed for resource-constrained environments like Raspberry Pi, IoT devices, or personal use on older hardware.

```bash theme={null}
export PROFCLAW_MODE=pico
```

**Included providers**: Ollama, OpenAI, Anthropic
**Included channels**: Webchat, Telegram
**Docker image**: `profclaw/profclaw:pico` (optimized, smaller image)

<Warning>
  Pico mode disables plugins, multi-device sync, and advanced security features to minimize resource usage.
</Warning>

## Mini Mode (Default)

The balanced option for small teams and home servers. Supports most features without requiring Redis.

```bash theme={null}
export PROFCLAW_MODE=mini
```

**Key features**:

* 15 AI providers including all major cloud providers
* 10 chat channels including Slack, Discord, Telegram
* Background task processing with in-memory queue
* Standard audit logging
* Basic plugin support

## Pro Mode

Full-featured production mode. Requires Redis for the BullMQ job queue.

```bash theme={null}
export PROFCLAW_MODE=pro
export REDIS_URL=redis://localhost:6379
```

**Key features**:

* All 37 AI providers
* All 27 chat channels
* Redis-backed job queue with persistence and retry
* Full audit logging with compliance support
* Plugin marketplace (ClawHub) access
* Multi-device sync
* Horizontal scaling with clustering
* Continuous backup

## Switching Modes

You can switch modes at any time by changing the environment variable and restarting:

```bash theme={null}
# Upgrade from mini to pro
export PROFCLAW_MODE=pro
export REDIS_URL=redis://localhost:6379
profclaw serve
```

<Note>
  Switching from a higher mode to a lower mode may disable features that are in use. Run `profclaw doctor` after switching to verify your configuration.
</Note>

## Environment Detection

During `profclaw onboard`, the wizard detects your environment and recommends a mode:

| Environment                | Recommended Mode |
| -------------------------- | ---------------- |
| Raspberry Pi / ARM SBC     | Pico             |
| Local development machine  | Mini             |
| Docker (limited resources) | Pico or Mini     |
| VPS (2-4GB RAM)            | Mini             |
| VPS (8GB+ RAM)             | Pro              |
| Kubernetes cluster         | Pro              |

```mermaid theme={null}
flowchart TD
  Onboard["profclaw onboard\nenvironment detection"]
  ARM{"ARM SBC /\nRaspberry Pi?"}
  RAM{"RAM available?"}
  Redis{"Redis\navailable?"}

  Onboard --> ARM
  ARM -- "yes" --> Pico["Recommend: pico"]
  ARM -- "no" --> RAM
  RAM -- "< 4GB" --> Mini["Recommend: mini"]
  RAM -- ">= 8GB" --> Redis
  Redis -- "yes" --> Pro["Recommend: pro"]
  Redis -- "no" --> Mini
```

<Card title="Next: Configuration" icon="arrow-right" href="/configuration/overview" horizontal>
  Deep dive into environment variables and settings.
</Card>