OpenClaw (ex. Clawdbot / Moltbot): Your Personal AI Assistant on Your Own Device

In recent years, AI assistants have become essential tools for both businesses and individuals to significantly improve productivity. However, most AI assistants operate in the cloud, storing user data on external servers. This can raise concerns about privacy and security.

Enter OpenClaw - a fully personal AI assistant that runs on your own device and integrates directly with the chat apps you already use.

Interestingly, this project has gone through several name changes. It started as Clawd, a playful nod to Anthropic’s Claude. Legal considerations led to a change, and the name became Moltbot, symbolizing growth through “molting” like a lobster shedding its shell. Finally, the project settled on OpenClaw, combining the ideas of open source and its lobster-inspired heritage.

In this article, we’ll cover OpenClaw’s features, setup process, usage, and security model — everything you need to get started from scratch.

Why OpenClaw Stands Out

OpenClaw differs from traditional cloud-based AI assistants in several key ways:

Runs Locally on Your Device

OpenClaw can run on a laptop, home server, or VPS. You control the AI on your own infrastructure, keeping data and keys fully under your management.

Multi-Channel Support

OpenClaw works with WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, Slack, Google Chat, Signal, iMessage, Microsoft Teams, and more. Additional channels can be easily added.

Flexible Security Design

By default, unknown DMs are not processed until explicitly approved via a pairing code. Group and channel sessions can also be sandboxed individually.

Extensible Skill Platform

Through ClawdHub, you can add new skills or automatically update them. Developers can easily create and register custom skills.

Voice and Visual Interaction

On macOS, iOS, and Android, OpenClaw supports Voice Wake, Talk Mode, and Canvas, a visual workspace for agent-driven interactions, enabling natural conversation and screen operations.

Getting Started with OpenClaw

Here’s a step-by-step guide to set up OpenClaw from zero to first working chat.

1. Check Prerequisites

Ensure your environment is ready:

• Node.js ≥22
• pnpm (optional, recommended for building from source)
• macOS: Xcode/CLT if building apps
• Windows: WSL2 (Ubuntu recommended)
• Brave Search API key (optional, for web search functionality)

2. Install the CLI

OpenClaw is installed via CLI:

macOS / Linux:

Code
curl -fsSL https://openclaw.bot/install.sh | bash

Windows (PowerShell):

Code
iwr -useb https://openclaw.ai/install.ps1 | iex

Alternative global install:

Code
npm install -g openclaw@latest
pnpm add -g openclaw@latest

3. Run the Onboarding Wizard

Use the CLI wizard to safely set up OpenClaw:

Code
openclaw onboard --install-daemon

The wizard sets up:

• AI model and authentication (OAuth recommended)
• Gateway settings (local or remote)
• Channels (WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, Mattermost, etc.)
• DM pairing settings for secure messaging
• Workspace and initial skills
• Optional background service installation

This provides a ready-to-use AI assistant quickly.

4. Start the Gateway

If the daemon was installed, the gateway runs automatically:

Code
openclaw gateway status

Manual start (foreground):

Code
openclaw gateway --port 18789 --verbose

Control UI (local browser): http://127.0.0.1:18789/

⚠️ Bun has issues with WhatsApp/Telegram — use Node for these channels.

5. Connect Your Channels

WhatsApp:

Code
openclaw channels login

• Scan QR code to log in
• First DM will include a pairing code for approval

Telegram / Discord / Mattermost:

• Wizard generates token/config automatically
• First DM requires pairing approval

6. DM Safety (Pairing Approval)

OpenClaw does not process messages from unknown senders until approved:

Check pending pairings:

Code
openclaw pairing list whatsapp

Approve a code:

Code
openclaw pairing approve whatsapp <code>

7. Verify End-to-End Functionality

Send a test message:

Code
openclaw message send --target +15555550123 --message "Hello from OpenClaw"

Check status and health:

Code
openclaw status --all
openclaw health

8. For Developers — Build from Source

Clone and build OpenClaw from GitHub:

Code
git clone https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw.git
cd openclaw
pnpm install
pnpm ui:build
pnpm build
openclaw onboard --install-daemon

Start the gateway:

Code
node openclaw.mjs gateway --port 18789 --verbose

9. Advanced Usage

• macOS menu bar app + Voice Wake
• iOS/Android nodes (Canvas, camera, voice)
• Remote access (SSH tunnel, Tailscale Serve)
• Always-on setups / VPN environments

Key Benefits of Using OpenClaw

• Local operation: Your data stays under your control
• Multi-channel support: Access via familiar chat apps
• Secure by design: Pairing approval and sandboxed sessions
• Extensible: Add skills or create custom functions via ClawdHub
• Voice & visual features: Natural conversation and screen interaction

OpenClaw combines security, extensibility, and usability in a single, personal AI assistant - and its popularity is growing rapidly in the productivity and developer communities.