Clash Setup Guide: Build an Xray Proxy Node from Scratch

1. Introduction

Clash is a proxy client and does not provide proxy services by itself.

This means:

👉 To use Clash, you must first have a working proxy node.

The typical approach is:

• Deploy a proxy service (e.g., Xray) on a cloud server

• Connect to it using Clash on your local device

2. Architecture Overview

The basic workflow looks like this:

Local Device (Clash)
        ↓
Cloud Server (Xray)
        ↓
Target Website

In short:

👉 Clash = client

👉 Xray = proxy provider

3. Server Preparation

Before starting, prepare a cloud server.

Requirements

• 
  OS: Ubuntu 20.04 / 22.04
  

• 
  CPU/RAM: at least 1 Core / 1 GB
  

• 
  Public IP required
  

Ports

You need to open a port, for example:

• 10086 (for testing)
  

• 443 (recommended for production)
  

4. Install Xray

Run the following command to install Xray:

bash <(curl -Ls https://raw.githubusercontent.com/XTLS/Xray-install/main/install-release.sh)

After installation, the service will be registered automatically.

5. Configure Xray

Edit the configuration file:

nano /usr/local/etc/xray/config.json

Example configuration:

{
  "inbounds": [
    {
      "port": 10086,
      "protocol": "vmess",
      "settings": {
        "clients": [
          {
            "id": "YOUR_UUID",
            "alterId": 0
          }
        ]
      }
    }
  ],
  "outbounds": [
    {
      "protocol": "freedom"
    }
  ]
}

Generate UUID

Run:

cat /proc/sys/kernel/random/uuid

Replace YOUR_UUID with the generated value.

6. Start Service and Open Port

Start Xray

systemctl restart xray
systemctl enable xray

Open port (using ufw)

ufw allow 10086

If you are using a cloud provider (AWS, Alibaba Cloud, etc.), make sure to allow the port in the security group as well.

7. Configure Clash

Add the following to your config.yaml:

proxies:
  - name: my-node
    type: vmess
    server: YOUR_SERVER_IP
    port: 10086
    uuid: YOUR_UUID
    alterId: 0
    cipher: auto

Save the file and select the node in Clash.

8. Optional Optimizations

After basic setup, you can improve security and performance:

Enable TLS

Encrypt traffic to avoid detection.

Use Reality / WebSocket

Improve stealth and compatibility.

Bind a domain

Use a domain instead of raw IP.

Use CDN (e.g., Cloudflare)

Enhance stability and hide your real IP.

9. Common Issues

Cannot connect

Check:

• 
  Xray service status
  

• 
  Port availability
  

• 
  UUID correctness
  

Slow speed

Possible reasons:

• 
  Low server bandwidth
  

• 
  Poor network routing
  

• 
  Suboptimal protocol
  

👉 Consider changing server location or protocol.

View logs

journalctl -u xray -f

Use this to monitor runtime logs and debug issues.

10. Conclusion

The overall process is straightforward:

1. 
   Buy a cloud server
   

2. 
   Install Xray
   

3. 
   Configure the service
   

4. 
   Open the port
   

5. 
   Add the node to Clash