What is OpenClaw?
OpenClaw is a free, open-source personal AI assistant created by Austrian engineer Peter Steinberger. It connects to your messaging apps (WhatsApp, Telegram, Slack, Discord) and executes tasks on your behalf using AI.
Unlike ChatGPT or Claude, OpenClaw runs on your own hardware — a Mac Mini, VPS, or any computer with Node.js 22+. Your data stays local, you maintain full control, and it can actually do things, not just talk about them.
The project went viral in January 2026, reaching 100,000+ GitHub stars in just over a week — making it one of the fastest-growing open-source projects in history.
The Name Changes: Clawdbot → Moltbot → OpenClaw
OpenClaw has had an unusual journey with two rebrands in one week:
Original Name: Clawdbot
The project launched as "Clawdbot" in late 2025 as a hobby project by Peter Steinberger.
First Rebrand: Moltbot (January 27, 2026)
Anthropic reached out about potential trademark confusion with their AI assistant "Claude." Steinberger agreed to rename the project to Moltbot.
During the rename, crypto scammers exploited the 10-second gap between releasing the old name and claiming the new one, snatching both the GitHub organization and X/Twitter handle. Fake "ClawdBot" crypto tokens hit $16M market cap before crashing 90%.
Final Name: OpenClaw (January 30, 2026)
Three days later, the project was renamed to OpenClaw. Steinberger announced that "the lobster has molted into its final form." The official repository is now at github.com/openclaw/openclaw.
What Can OpenClaw Do?
OpenClaw connects to your messaging apps and executes tasks using AI. According to the official documentation:
- Messaging: Connect to WhatsApp, Telegram, Slack, Discord, Signal, iMessage, Microsoft Teams, Google Chat
- Email & Calendar: Manage your inbox, schedule meetings, send responses
- Travel: Check you in for flights automatically
- Smart Home: Control IoT devices
- Research: Browse the web, summarize articles, gather information
- Files: Organize and manage your documents
- Terminal: Run shell commands directly
- Autonomous Tasks: Execute multi-step workflows without supervision
Think of it as "Claude with hands" — an AI that doesn't just suggest actions but actually executes them on your behalf.
How OpenClaw Works
The architecture consists of three main components:
1. Gateway Server
Runs on your hardware (Mac Mini, VPS, or local machine) and handles all incoming requests.
2. Messaging Integration
Connects to WhatsApp, Telegram, Slack, and other chat platforms you already use.
3. LLM Backend
Routes conversations to Claude, GPT-4, or local models like Ollama.
You interact with it through familiar chat apps. Send a message like "Check my email for flight confirmations" and it executes the task automatically.
Setup Options
| Option | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Local Machine | Easy setup | Security concerns with full system access |
| Dedicated Hardware | Isolated, secure | Requires extra hardware |
| Cloud VPS | Always-on, accessible anywhere | Monthly hosting costs |
| NAS Device | Use existing hardware | Limited performance |
How to Install OpenClaw
Requirements:
- Node.js 22 or higher
- Mac, Linux, or Windows (with WSL)
- API key from Anthropic, OpenAI, or another LLM provider
Quick Setup:
npm install -g openclaw@latest
openclaw onboardThe onboarding wizard guides you through selecting your LLM provider, setting up your workspace, connecting messaging apps, and installing the background service.
How Much Does OpenClaw Cost?
The software is free and open-source under the MIT license. However, you'll pay for LLM API tokens:
| Provider | Input Cost | Output Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Claude Sonnet | $3/million tokens | $15/million tokens |
| Claude Opus | $5/million tokens | $25/million tokens |
| GPT-4 | $10/million tokens | $30/million tokens |
Realistic Monthly Estimates:
- Light usage (few commands daily): $10-30/month
- Moderate usage (regular tasks): $30-70/month
- Heavy usage (constant automation): $70-150/month
Warning: One user accidentally ran up a $200 API bill in a single day due to a runaway automation loop. Always set spending limits in your LLM provider dashboard.
Security Concerns
Security researchers have raised significant concerns about OpenClaw deployments. The project gives the AI access to your operating system, files, browser data, and all connected services — creating a massive attack surface if not properly secured.
Security firm Bitdefender discovered hundreds of exposed admin panels on the public internet with:
- Users deployed without proper authentication
- API keys and conversation histories exposed
- Attackers able to send messages and execute commands
Security Best Practices:
- Never expose to public internet without proper authentication
- Use Docker sandboxing to limit what the agent can access
- Run on dedicated hardware separate from your main machine
- Monitor API usage for unusual activity patterns
- Avoid connecting sensitive accounts until the ecosystem matures
OpenClaw Alternatives
Not comfortable with self-hosting or the security risks? Here are managed alternatives:
| Tool | Type | Best For | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serenities AI | All-in-one platform | App building + automation | View Plans |
| Zapier | Cloud automation | No-code workflows | $20-100/mo |
| Make | Cloud automation | Complex integrations | $10-50/mo |
| n8n | Self-hosted | Technical users | Free/Enterprise |
Why Consider Serenities AI
If you want powerful automation without infrastructure headaches, Serenities AI offers:
- Visual Flow Builder - Create automations without code
- Built-in Database - Store and manage data like Airtable
- App Builder - Create custom apps with AI assistance
- MCP Protocol Support - Integrate with Claude Code seamlessly
- No self-hosting required - We handle the infrastructure
- Enterprise-grade security - SOC 2 compliant
The Bottom Line
OpenClaw represents an exciting direction for AI — personal assistants that can actually take action on your behalf. The viral growth (100K stars in a week) demonstrates massive demand for this type of tool.
Pros:
- Free and open-source
- Works with apps you already use
- Powerful automation capabilities
- Active community with 8,900+ Discord members
- Backed by a respected developer
Cons:
- Significant security risks if misconfigured
- API costs can spiral unexpectedly
- Requires technical knowledge to deploy safely
- Ongoing crypto scam confusion with old names
Our Recommendation: Unless you're technically savvy and comfortable managing security yourself, wait for the ecosystem to mature. For production-ready automation today, consider managed platforms like Serenities AI.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is OpenClaw?
OpenClaw is a free, open-source personal AI assistant that runs on your own hardware. It connects to messaging apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Slack to execute tasks using AI.
Is OpenClaw the same as Clawdbot and Moltbot?
Yes. The project was originally called Clawdbot, renamed to Moltbot on January 27, 2026, then to OpenClaw on January 30, 2026. The official repository is at github.com/openclaw/openclaw.
Is OpenClaw free?
The software is free under MIT license. You pay for LLM API usage, typically $10-150/month depending on use.
Is OpenClaw safe?
There are significant security concerns. Hundreds of exposed admin panels have been found online. Always use proper authentication and never expose your instance to the public internet.
Who created OpenClaw?
Peter Steinberger, an Austrian engineer who founded PSPDFKit (now Nutrient), a document-processing SDK company he sold to Insight Partners.
Last updated: January 30, 2026