Starlight™ Virtual Machines updates

April 2026

OpenClaw AI Assistant now available during VM deployment or reinstallation

OpenClaw can now be deployed on Ubuntu 24 VMs during setup or reinstallation (limited to one instance per VM, requires a minimum of 1 vCPU / 2 GB RAM).

After the VM is created, users complete a guided setup form by selecting an AI provider (OpenAI, Anthropic, or Google) and entering their API key (an active subscription is required). A secure access token is generated automatically.

Once installed, OpenClaw can be accessed and managed via the VM details page using either Web UI or SSH access.

• Deploy OpenClaw instantly during VM setup or reinstall

• Integrate seamlessly with leading AI providers

• Set up easily through a guided configuration form

• Get one-click access to the OpenClaw web interface with auto-login

• Flexible access via both web UI and SSH

March 2026

Introducing Starlight™ Mail Bridge

A new outbound email service is now available for Starlight™ Virtual Machines, providing a secure and reliable way to send essential transactional and business emails directly from a VM.

Mail Bridge removes the need for separate email infrastructure by opening SMTP port 25 on the VM and automatically generating the PTR (reverse DNS) record associated with the VM IP.

This setup supports trusted email delivery from common Mail Transfer Agents (MTA) such as Postfix and Exim, with built-in abuse and spam detection to help maintain healthy sending practices.

Mail Bridge is offered with a simple prepaid billing model ($5/mo) and can be added to both pre-paid and PAYG VMs. It can be accessed from the Starlight™ Manager via the corresponding tab.

• Send transactional and notification emails from your VM without third-party relays

• Get a pre-verified IP for your VM and set the correct PTR to let mail services know you’re not spam

• Protect your reputation with transparent outbound filtration and reduce the risk of blocklisting

• Straightforward setup using familiar MTAs on the VM

January 2026

CyberPanel software package available on Virtual Machines

CyberPanel software package is now available with any Virtual Machines running Ubuntu 24.04 for simpler server setup and deployment. CyberPanel is a free control panel with powerful features for managing websites files, domain name servers, and much more.When you deploy or reinstall a Virtual Machine using Ubuntu 24.04, CyberPanel and its related components are installed automatically.

Once setup is complete, the selected software package will be fully installed and ready to use. You’ll get:

• Faster VPS setup with zero manual software installation

• Immediate access to a ready-to-use hosting control panel

• Reduced technical complexity for new and non-expert users

• Consistent and repeatable server configurations

• Fewer setup errors and less troubleshooting

• More time to focus on websites and applications instead of server administration

November 2025

Keep your service consistent with Starlight™ Load Balancer

Starlight™ Load Balancer distributes traffic across multiple Virtual Machines (VMs), improving uptime, reducing latency, and keeping applications responsive even during heavy traffic spikes.This new addition to the Starlight™ Load Balancer makes it easier and more convenient to manage scalable, resilient architectures from VM Manager, without having to rely on third parties.

• Distribute traffic across VMs for better uptime and reduced latency.

• Choose a Load Balancer location and connect it to selected VMs.

• Ideal for scaling applications and handling traffic spikes like promotions or launches.

• Built to meet modern performance and reliability standards, and is available under the prepaid billing model.

Starlight™ Load Balancer can be purchased in Spaceship Library > Starlight™ Cloud or directly at Starlight™ Manager.

October 2025

Purchase a cPanel License in Starlight™ Manager

You can now purchase a cPanel License for any Virtual Machine (VM) that has the cPanel software package installed in Starlight™ Manager. This update will allow you to:

• Purchase a cPanel License for both PAYG and prepaid VMs.

• Manage cPanel License subscriptions directly in Starlight™ Manager: change billing cycles, renew subscriptions, and turn auto-renewal on or off.

• Cancel Licenses easily without terminating the VM.

How to install cPanel software package during VM purchase or resetup:

How to purchase cPanel License in Starlight™ Manager:

(i) cPanel Licenses are available only as prepaid subscriptions with 1, 3, or 12-month billing cycles (no PAYG option). Reinstalling a VM will not remove or cancel an active license. If a VM is terminated, the associated cPanel License will be automatically canceled without refund. Licenses are non-transferable between VMs, and the number of cPanel accounts selected at purchase cannot be modified later.

September 2025

Get flexible storage with Starlight™ Volumes

Say hello to Volumes: high performance, scalable block storage that can be attached, detached, and reassigned between Virtual Machines (VMs). This storage is independent from individual VMs, so allows for more security and control over your data.You can attach and detach storage on demand, move data between VMs without manual file migration, optimize resource usage, and support diverse workloads with scalable storage.

Add Volumes in Starlight™ Manager

1. Log in to Starlight™ Manager.

2. Go to Virtual Machines Manager, scroll down toVolumes, click Add Volumes.

3. Configure Volumes in the left side panel.

Upgrades for Starlight™ Virtual Machines

You can now upgrade your Prepaid Virtual Machine (VM) plans directly in Starlight™ Manager. Just open your VM and click Change plan to adjust resources or billing cycles.

What’s new:

• Quickly scale your server’s capacity and switch to a higher plan on the go.

• Upgrade servers instantly (on or off) with built-in checks that prevent invalid or unsafe changes, ensuring quick and reliable upgrades.

• You can change your billing cycle during upgrade and pay only the difference between plans.

August 2025

Command line access for VMs

You can now launch a command line interface (CLI) for your Starlight™ Virtual Machines directly from the browser, no SSH or password required.

How to access it

Go to Starlight™ Manager → click on your VM → Virtual Machine access → Launch command line.

This feature supports keyboard shortcuts, text selection, and command history, making it ideal for debugging, quick fixes, or situations where SSH ports are blocked. It offers a simpler, modern alternative to the VM Console, ideal when SSH isn’t working or you just need quick access.

July 2025

New Prepaid billing option for Starlight™ Virtual Machines

We’ve added a prepaid billing option for Starlight™ Virtual Machines, giving you more predictable costs and greater control over your budget.This new prepaid billing option is up to 28% cheaper than pay-as-you-go, and lets you select a fixed rate at a billing cycle of your choice, whether that’s monthly, quarterly, or yearly. Prepaid billing lets you plan ahead and avoid unexpected charges with no change to technical functionality.

May 2025

Launch cPanel on Starlight™ VMs. You bring the license, we handle the setup

You can now add cPanel during deployment or reinstallation of your Starlight™ Virtual Machine, giving you an easier, faster path to launching and managing hosting environments, websites, or client accounts.The cPanel bundle includes all necessary software pre-installed for cPanel and WebHost Manager — no manual setup required. You can add it to your Starlight™ Virtual Machine in just one click.

To start using cPanel, you’ll need an active license, which you can bring with you or purchase directly from cPanel or your preferred provider.

Skip the manual setup

Get up and running with cPanel and WHM pre-installed — no manual setup or configuration required. Everything you need is ready to go, so you can focus on launching websites, managing hosting environments, or serving your clients faster.

Full server control

Access WHM directly from Starlight™ Manager after deployment. Configure your server, create cPanel accounts, manage DNS, and monitor usage.

Built-in guidance

Need help activating your licence or sending an email? You’ll get clear instructions right in your panel, so nothing slows you down.

Integrate your email

Native cPanel email isn’t supported yet. But you can start sending emails immediately using third-party tools like SendGrid and Mailgun.

Clean, compatible setup

Available forAlmaLinux 9 and supported VM configurations only. If your VM doesn’t meet the requirements, you’ll see exactly why. No confusion, no broken installs.

How it works

1. Install the cPanel bundle with a single click during VM deploy or reinstallation.

2. Installation takes 10–15 minutes and is tracked live in Starlight™ Manager.

3. Once done, access WHM and follow the built-in guides.

Launch with confidence

Whether you're managing a single app or dozens of websites, installing cPanel on your Starlight™ Virtual Machine gives you the flexibility of a dedicated hosting panel — without the technical overhead.

Start faster. Scale smarter. Stay in control.

April 2025

Starlight™ VMs land in Singapore – your gateway to Asia

Starlight™ Virtual Machines are now available in our Singapore Data Center, making It easier than ever to reach global audiences.

With this new deployment region, you can have low latency and high speeds for Asia-based visitors, all while enjoying the same experience you’re used to.It’s 100% powered by renewable energy and ISO 14001 and ISO 50001 certified, reflecting our commitment to energy efficiency.

• Unified configuration — your VM settings stay consistent across all data centers, no extra setup needed.

• Same pricing, everywhere — deploy in Singapore at the same price as your US data centers.

• Simplified management — manage all your VMs from a single account, no matter the location.

Whether you're scaling your app or optimizing global delivery, get the reliability, power and security your workload demands. Grow faster, without complexity.

March 2025

Monitor your Virtual Machine’s resources

We’re excited to announce a new feature for Starlight™ Virtual Machines (VMs) – real-time monitoring within Starlight™ Manager.

This enhancement provides detailed insights into your VM’s resource consumption, helping you track performance and optimize usage. Now, you can track CPU, RAM, Network Traffic, Disk Usage, and Disk I/O directly from your dashboard.

To access this feature:

• Open Starlight™ Manager and click on your VM.

• Choose Monitoringfrom the split panel.

• In the ‘Monitoring’ menu, click on Explore monitoring graphs.

• View your VM's resource usage.

This update helps you better control your VM’s performance by optimizing resources and making decisions based on real insights. Stay tuned for more improvements!

Track your current VM usage cost

We’re excited to introduce “Month to date” usage in Starlight™ Manager, giving you real-time cost tracking. It shows the total cost of your services from the beginning of the current billing cycle up to the present moment.

This update gives you more control over your spending, helps you avoid unexpected charges, and ensures full transparency in your billing. Simply go to Starlight™ Manager, click Managein the Virtual Machines Manager section, and instantly view your current month-to-date usagecost:

To help you plan ahead, we also include an estimated usage amount based on your current month-to-date spending in the renewal email notification, which is sent five days before your payment date.

November 2024

Additional software packages

We’re pleased to introduce additional software packages, that simplify software installation during Virtual Machine (VM) deployment or reinstallation.

With additional software packages, you can:

• Choose compatible software packages based on OS and VM specs.

• Automatically install chosen software packages during VM deployment or reinstallation.

The first software package available is OpenLiteSpeed WordPress on MariaDB for Ubuntu, which allows you to easily configure your WordPress in Starlight™ Manager after VM deployment or reinstallation.

September 2024

We’re very happy to introduce Starlight™, which brings our next-generation Virtual Machines (VMs) — empowering users with control and flexibility over virtual private servers.

In the initial release, choose from nine configurations designed for every requirement, offering the chance to prioritize CPU, RAM, or power. Enjoy pay-as-you-go billing that allows you to pay after you use your VM, for how much you used.

In Starlight™ Manager, you can find these features in the initial release:

1. Server management:

• Switch off/on: Turn your VM on or off as needed.

• Reboot/reset: Reboot your VM, or reset (force restart) for immediate troubleshooting.

• Root password: Reset/update your root password when you need to.

• Destroy: Stop billing by removing your VM when it’s no longer in use.

• Reinstall: Start your VM from scratch at any time.

2. Access and security:

• SSH keys: Use for secure and convenient access to your server.

• Remote console/connection: Connect to your server remotely.

3. Available operating systems:

• Ubuntu

• AlmaLinux

• Fedora

• RockyLinux

• Debian

• CentOS

4. Feedback form:

• Leave feedback on your experience using your VM

• Request new features

Our planned features for future releases:

Server customization:

• Change hostname: Update and customize the hostname of your VM.

• Volume: Expand your storage capacity by adding volume.

• Location: Deploy your VM in multiple geographical locations for improved performance and redundancy.

For more updates and enhancements — watch this space. We are committed to providing powerful, flexible, and user-friendly virtual private servers that support growing business needs.