diff --git a/Dockerfile b/Dockerfile
index 255340cb02b..c5f7b1dc277 100644
--- a/Dockerfile
+++ b/Dockerfile
@@ -23,6 +23,9 @@ COPY --chown=node:node patches ./patches
 COPY --chown=node:node scripts ./scripts
 
 USER node
+# Reduce OOM risk on low-memory hosts during dependency installation.
+# Docker builds on small VMs may otherwise fail with "Killed" (exit 137).
+ENV NODE_OPTIONS=--max-old-space-size=2048
 RUN pnpm install --frozen-lockfile
 
 # Optionally install Chromium and Xvfb for browser automation.
diff --git a/docs/install/docker.md b/docs/install/docker.md
index decd1d779ee..42cefd4be01 100644
--- a/docs/install/docker.md
+++ b/docs/install/docker.md
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ Sandboxing details: [Sandboxing](/gateway/sandboxing)
 ## Requirements
 
 - Docker Desktop (or Docker Engine) + Docker Compose v2
+- At least 2 GB RAM for image build (`pnpm install` may be OOM-killed on 1 GB hosts with exit 137)
 - Enough disk for images + logs
 
 ## Containerized Gateway (Docker Compose)
diff --git a/docs/install/gcp.md b/docs/install/gcp.md
index b0ec51a75dd..a4485611402 100644
--- a/docs/install/gcp.md
+++ b/docs/install/gcp.md
@@ -114,10 +114,11 @@ gcloud services enable compute.googleapis.com
 
 **Machine types:**
 
-| Type     | Specs                    | Cost               | Notes              |
-| -------- | ------------------------ | ------------------ | ------------------ |
-| e2-small | 2 vCPU, 2GB RAM          | ~$12/mo            | Recommended        |
-| e2-micro | 2 vCPU (shared), 1GB RAM | Free tier eligible | May OOM under load |
+| Type      | Specs                    | Cost               | Notes                                        |
+| --------- | ------------------------ | ------------------ | -------------------------------------------- |
+| e2-medium | 2 vCPU, 4GB RAM          | ~$25/mo            | Most reliable for local Docker builds        |
+| e2-small  | 2 vCPU, 2GB RAM          | ~$12/mo            | Minimum recommended for Docker build         |
+| e2-micro  | 2 vCPU (shared), 1GB RAM | Free tier eligible | Often fails with Docker build OOM (exit 137) |
 
 **CLI:**
 
@@ -350,6 +351,8 @@ docker compose build
 docker compose up -d openclaw-gateway
 ```
 
+If build fails with `Killed` / `exit code 137` during `pnpm install --frozen-lockfile`, the VM is out of memory. Use `e2-small` minimum, or `e2-medium` for more reliable first builds.
+
 Verify binaries:
 
 ```bash
@@ -449,7 +452,7 @@ Ensure your account has the required IAM permissions (Compute OS Login or Comput
 
 **Out of memory (OOM)**
 
-If using e2-micro and hitting OOM, upgrade to e2-small or e2-medium:
+If Docker build fails with `Killed` and `exit code 137`, the VM was OOM-killed. Upgrade to e2-small (minimum) or e2-medium (recommended for reliable local builds):
 
 ```bash
 # Stop the VM first