What is OpenClaw?
OpenClaw is an open-source AI personal assistant that runs entirely on your own hardware. Created by Peter Steinberger, it has become the fastest-growing open-source project on GitHub in early 2026, amassing thousands of stars in under three months.
Unlike cloud-based AI assistants like Siri, Google Assistant, or Alexa, OpenClaw doesn't just answer questions — it takes action. It can clear your inbox, schedule meetings, check you in for flights, manage files, browse the web, and run shell commands. All from your preferred messaging app.
OpenClaw at a Glance
History & Background
OpenClaw has had a fascinating journey from personal project to the most talked-about AI tool of early 2026:
Clawdbot is Born
Peter Steinberger creates a personal AI assistant experiment called Clawdbot.
Renamed to Moltbot
Due to a trademark dispute with Anthropic, the project is renamed to Moltbot.
Becomes OpenClaw
The project receives its final rebrand to OpenClaw, going fully open-source.
Fastest-Growing on GitHub
OpenClaw becomes the fastest-growing open-source project on GitHub with 3,000+ community skills on ClawHub.
Key Features
100% Local & Private
Runs on your hardware. Your data never leaves your machine. No cloud dependency.
Multi-Model Support
Works with Claude, GPT, Gemini, or local Ollama models. Switch providers without changing workflows.
Messaging App Control
Control via WhatsApp, Telegram, Slack, Discord, or iMessage — whatever you already use.
Real Actions, Not Just Chat
Manages email, calendar, files, runs commands, browses the web, and automates workflows.
3,000+ Community Skills
ClawHub hosts thousands of community-built skills for everything from crypto to media control.
Open Source
Fully open-source with an active community. Audit the code, contribute, or fork it.
Remote Access
Access your OpenClaw from anywhere via SSH tunneling, Tailscale VPN, or reverse proxy.
Highly Extensible
Build custom skills, integrate with n8n workflows, or connect to any API.
How OpenClaw Works
OpenClaw operates as a gateway between you and an AI model, running locally on your machine. Here's the architecture at a high level:
You
Send commands via WhatsApp, Telegram, Slack
OpenClaw Gateway
WebSocket server on your hardware processing requests
AI Model
Claude, GPT, Gemini, or local Ollama model
When you send a message to OpenClaw via your messaging app, the Gateway server receives it, passes it to your configured AI model along with available skills and context, and the AI decides what actions to take. It can read and send emails, manage files, browse websites, run terminal commands, and much more.
The remote access layer uses a hub-and-spoke model where the Gateway WebSocket server accepts connections from multiple client types across network boundaries — secured with token authentication and encrypted tunnels.
Hardware Requirements
Minimum Requirements
- Node.js 22.12.0 or later (critical for security patches)
- 4GB RAM minimum (8GB+ for local models)
- macOS, Linux, or Windows 11 with WSL2 (PowerShell not supported)
- An AI model provider (Claude API, OpenAI, Gemini, or local Ollama)
Recommended Hardware Options
Mac Mini M4
The go-to choice. Powerful, efficient, small footprint. Best performance for local AI models.
Cloud VPS (4GB+)
DigitalOcean, AWS, or any VPS provider. Great for always-on availability and remote access.
Raspberry Pi 4/5 (8GB)
Affordable and capable. Perfect for a dedicated always-on OpenClaw instance.
Dedicated Linux Machine
Any modern Linux machine works. Ubuntu 22.04+ recommended for the best compatibility.
Security Considerations
Important Security Warning
OpenClaw is experimental software. It is not secure by default. The ClawHavoc campaign exposed 341 malicious skills on ClawHub. Professional setup with security hardening is strongly recommended.
Because OpenClaw can execute commands, access files, and interact with external services, security is paramount. Here are the critical security measures:
This is why we offer professional setup. Our team implements all security best practices so you can use OpenClaw with confidence. Learn about our setup services →
ClawHub Skills Ecosystem
ClawHub is the community marketplace for OpenClaw skills — think of it like an app store for your AI assistant. As of February 2026, there are over 3,000 community-built skills covering:
Productivity
Email management, calendar, notes, task management
Development
Git operations, CI/CD, code review, deployment
Finance
Cryptocurrency tracking, invoicing, expense management
Communication
Multi-platform messaging, social media, notifications
Media
Music control, video management, podcast tools
Smart Home
IoT control, lighting, thermostat, security cameras
Business Use Cases in United States
US businesses are increasingly adopting OpenClaw to streamline operations while keeping data sovereign. Here are the most common use cases:
Executive Assistant Replacement
CEOs and founders use OpenClaw to manage email triage, meeting scheduling, travel bookings, and daily briefings — all from WhatsApp.
Developer Productivity
Development teams use OpenClaw to manage Git workflows, CI/CD pipelines, code reviews, and deployment notifications.
Customer Support Automation
Businesses connect OpenClaw to their support channels to auto-triage tickets, draft responses, and escalate critical issues.
Data Privacy Compliance
US businesses handling sensitive data use OpenClaw because it runs locally — no data leaves the organisation's infrastructure.
Workflow Automation
Combined with n8n, OpenClaw becomes a powerful automation hub — connecting CRMs, marketing tools, accounting software, and custom APIs.
OpenClaw vs Alternatives
| Feature | OpenClaw | Siri / Google | ChatGPT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Runs Locally | Yes | No | No |
| Data Privacy | Full | Limited | Limited |
| Executes Actions | Yes | Limited | Limited |
| Open Source | Yes | No | No |
| Custom Skills | 3,000+ | Limited | GPTs |
| Multi-Model | Yes | No | No |
| Messaging Control | Any App | Voice Only | App Only |
| Self-Hosted | Yes | No | No |
Getting Started with OpenClaw
You have two options to get started with OpenClaw: