OpenClaw AI

Description

OpenClaw AI is an open-source, self-hosted personal AI assistant that runs on your own device — a Mac mini, Windows PC, or Linux system — or on optional managed cloud hosting. Formerly known as Clawdbot and Moltbot, it gives you full control over your data while integrating with more than 100 platforms and services, including WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, and Slack.

The assistant is action-oriented rather than purely reactive: it can organize email, manage your calendar, browse web pages, fill out forms, extract data, run command-line instructions, and execute custom scripts through a conversational interface. An adaptive learning engine develops an understanding of your routines and preferences over time, and a modular plugin (skills) system lets you extend functionality with community modules or your own extensions written in JavaScript or TypeScript. You can adjust security settings from isolated environments to full system access, and choose cloud-based models like Claude, ChatGPT, and Gemini or run local models entirely offline.

OpenClaw is free and open source, with source code on GitHub; the main cost is AI API usage, typically $5-50 per month depending on usage, plus optional hardware. Install on a Mac mini via Homebrew (brew install openclawd) or npm, then run onboarding to link a messaging platform and configure your AI engine. For those who prefer not to manage a server, a managed cloud hosting option offers one-click deployment with credit-based subscription plans.

OpenClaw AI's Core Features

• Open-source, self-hosted personal AI assistant

• Runs on Mac mini, Windows, or Linux, or on managed cloud hosting

• 100+ service and messaging integrations (WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, Slack)

• Action-oriented automation: email, calendar, web browsing, and scripts

• Adaptive learning engine that adapts to your routines

• Modular plugin/skills system for custom extensions

• Choice of cloud models (Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini) or local offline models

• Complete data ownership when self-hosted

How to use OpenClaw AI?

1. 1

   Install: Use Homebrew (brew install openclawd) or npm on your Mac mini, Windows, or Linux system.

2. 2

   Onboard: Run openclawd onboard to set up API credentials and connections.

3. 3

   Connect platforms: Link WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, or another messaging platform.

4. 4

   Choose a model: Configure Claude, GPT, Gemini, or a local model.

5. 5

   Start: Launch the assistant and begin delegating tasks conversationally.

OpenClaw AI's Use Cases

• Email and calendar automation
• Private, self-hosted AI
• Messaging automation
• Developer workflows
• Web task automation

FAQ from OpenClaw AI

• What is OpenClaw AI?

  It is an open-source, self-hosted personal AI assistant that runs on your own device and integrates with 100+ platforms while keeping your data under your control.

• How do I install it on a Mac mini?

  Install via Homebrew with brew install openclawd, or via npm with npm i -g openclawd, then run openclawd onboard to complete setup.

• What AI models does it support?

  It supports models including Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, and local models, which you configure during setup.

• How much does it cost to run?

  The software is free and open source; the main cost is AI API usage, typically $5-50 per month, plus optional hardware such as a Raspberry Pi or Mac mini.

• Is my data private?

  Yes. Because it runs on your own hardware, your conversation history and data stay on your device unless you enable external service connections.

• Do I have to self-host?

  No. A managed cloud hosting option offers one-click deployment with subscription plans if you prefer not to manage a server.