Clawbot
Clawbot is the common spelling many people use for Clawdbot, the original name of the project now known as OpenClaw. If you searched for Clawbot, you are looking for the right thing — the name simply changed.
The short version: Clawdbot (often typed "Clawbot") was renamed to OpenClaw after a trademark request. The software, the goal, and the community carried over; the name and packages moved. This page covers the rename story, what the project does today, how self-hosting compares to a hosted cloud claw, and a no-setup way to run the same kind of always-on assistant.
Who this is forNon-technical professionals, solopreneurs, and lean teams who want recurring browser, file, research, and monitoring workflows without self-hosting OpenClaw, configuring a server, or keeping a personal computer awake.
What Happened to Clawbot? The Rename to OpenClaw
Clawbot/Clawdbot didn't disappear — it became OpenClaw. According to the project's official lore, the earlier identity changed after Anthropic requested a rename for trademark-related reasons. The project briefly used Moltbot as a transition name before settling on OpenClaw.
A quick map of the names so the rename makes sense:
- Clawd — the original lobster mascot / assistant identity.
- Clawdbot — the original software and package name (commonly spelled "Clawbot").
- Moltbot — the short-lived transition name during the rebrand.
- OpenClaw — the current project name to use for docs, repo, and setup today.
So when someone asks "what happened to Clawbot," the accurate answer is: it's the same project, now called OpenClaw. The announcement attributes the final choice to Moltbot not feeling natural and OpenClaw fitting the project better.
The underlying goal never changed — a personal AI assistant that can use real tools. What moved were the public name, packages, paths, and documentation, which is why old tutorials need verification before you follow them.
Clawbot / Clawdbot → OpenClaw: Timeline & Why It Changed
The heading uses both spellings on purpose: "Clawbot" is how people search, "Clawdbot" is the original name on record. Here's the full path.
| Name | Stage | What it means now |
|---|---|---|
| Clawd | Original mascot / assistant identity | Part of the project's lore and origin story |
| Clawdbot (often "Clawbot") | Original project name | The predecessor you're searching for |
| Moltbot | Short-lived transition name | Interim stage during the rebrand |
| OpenClaw | Current project name | Use for current docs, repository, setup, and security |
The canonical OpenClaw vision records the path as Warelay → Clawdbot → Moltbot → OpenClaw, with the final OpenClaw adoption dated January 30, 2026.
The rename period also attracted impersonators. OpenClaw's lore documents captured social handles, crypto wallet promotion, fake developer profiles, and unofficial tokens around the migrations. That's a good reason to rely on the current official domain and repository rather than an abandoned handle or token claim. The official record presents the trademark request and a better-fitting name as the main reasons for the change, not scam activity alone.
What Clawbot (OpenClaw) Actually Does
Now that the name is settled, here's what the project actually is. OpenClaw is a self-hosted Gateway for AI agents across supported chat and client surfaces. It's open source and runs on your own machine or server.
| Layer | Role |
|---|---|
| Gateway | Maintains channel connections, sessions, and routing |
| Agent runtime | Uses the selected model and workspace context |
| Tools | Provide configured browser, file, system, or external-service actions |
| Skills and plugins | Extend instructions and capabilities |
| Operator controls | Define senders, credentials, permissions, hosting, and maintenance |
This is more than a chat-response layer, because the agent can act through approved tools. It isn't a model provider by itself, and not every deployment includes every possible integration.
Common workflows include web research, file processing, scheduled checks, messaging, and specialized skills. The operator decides what's installed and what the agent can reach. Use the current OpenClaw documentation rather than a page that still references an old or misspelled package name.
Clawbot Setup vs a Hosted Cloud Claw
There's no separate "Clawbot" installer — it's the same project as OpenClaw. The real choice is between running OpenClaw yourself and using a managed service, based on how much operational responsibility you want.
| Responsibility | Self-hosted OpenClaw | Managed cloud claw |
|---|---|---|
| Provision the computer | User | Provider |
| Install and maintain the runtime | User | Provider |
| Keep the service available | User | Provider-managed environment |
| Configure models and tools | User | Supported product settings |
| Protect connected accounts | User | Shared responsibility |
| Review task outputs | User | User |
Run OpenClaw yourself when infrastructure control and customization justify the setup. Choose a managed cloud environment when you mainly want to complete browser, research, document, or recurring tasks without operating another server. Neither route removes the need to scope permissions and review consequential actions.
Is Clawbot Safe to Run Locally?
Since "Clawbot" is just OpenClaw under an older spelling, apply current OpenClaw security guidance to any old Clawdbot install or tutorial.
OpenClaw's documented trust model assumes a trusted personal-assistant operator, not hostile multi-tenant isolation inside one shared Gateway. The main risks come from capability and access:
- A connected browser may expose authenticated accounts.
- File or command tools may change data or system state.
- Web pages and documents may contain prompt injection.
- Shared channels may let additional senders steer the same tools.
- Community packages may add code, dependencies, or credentials.
- Remote exposure may expand who can reach the Gateway.
Use dedicated accounts and browser profiles where practical, restrict approved senders, review packages, isolate higher-risk tasks, and grant only the tools required. Consult the current OpenClaw security guide for the live recommendations.
Clawbot Alternative: Always-On, No Docker
If you were looking for a simple download but don't want to manage a self-hosted runtime, MoClaw runs the same kind of cloud claw with no setup: a personal AI assistant on a managed cloud computer.
There's no Docker on your machine. MoClaw manages the cloud environment for browser control, files, scheduled automation, skills, and chat-based tasks. Its public product pages describe 50+ built-in skills and BYOK.
Disclosure: We make MoClaw. OpenClaw is the current name of the original Clawbot/Clawdbot project; MoClaw is a separate managed service inspired by the same idea, not its official successor.
Pick based on what you want to own:
- OpenClaw for direct runtime, host, and extension control.
- MoClaw for managed infrastructure and persistent cloud workflows with no setup.
- A basic chatbot when you only need answers and drafts, not tool-driven execution.
Questions
Is Clawbot the same as OpenClaw?
Yes — practically speaking. "Clawbot" is the common spelling of Clawdbot, the original project that was renamed to OpenClaw after a trademark request. Use OpenClaw for anything current.
Where Should an Old Clawdbot User Start?
Start with current OpenClaw documentation and migration guidance. Verify package names, configuration, credentials, installed skills, and service state before changing an existing environment. Don't run archived commands just because their tutorial still ranks in search.
Will Historical Skills Work in a Current or Hosted Environment?
It depends on their format, dependencies, permissions, paths, and external services. Review and test each skill against the target environment. MoClaw supports OpenClaw-compatible skills, but compatibility isn't guaranteed for every public package.
Does MoClaw Support BYOK?
Yes, for providers documented on its current public BYOK page. Bringing a model key changes model billing and access; it doesn't automatically provide credentials required by third-party tools or skills.
Searched for Clawbot? You found it — it's now OpenClaw. Use OpenClaw for the open-source project, or MoClaw for the same cloud claw with no setup.
Related guide: Clawdbot to OpenClaw
Want a claw without the setup?
MoClaw is a hosted cloud claw — OpenClaw-style automation, always on, with no Docker, VPS, or server to babysit. Bring your own key.