OpenClaw is a personal AI assistant running on your own devices. A local Gateway connects models, tools, messaging channels and optional companion apps. Its slogan: 'The lobster way 🦞'.

How do I install OpenClaw?

macOS/Linux: `curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash`; Windows: `iwr -useb https://openclaw.ai/install.ps1 | iex`; or `npm install -g openclaw@latest` (Node 22.22.3+).

How does OpenClaw differ from OpenCode and Pi?

OpenCode and Pi are coding agents; OpenClaw is a personal assistant — focused on multi-channel messaging (Telegram, WhatsApp, Slack) and single-operator self-hosting, not IDE completion.

The official stance: treat inbound messages as untrusted; DM channels pair unknown senders by default; tools run on the host unless sandboxed — read the security guide before exposing the gateway.

OpenClawActive open source · Fast-movingMIT

Your personal AI assistant, on your devices

OpenClaw is a personal AI assistant running on your own devices: a local Gateway connecting models, tools and channels like WhatsApp, Telegram and Slack. Its slogan: the lobster way 🦞.

Updated 2026-08-15. Same-day snapshot of the official repo.

386.3k

GitHub stars

81.2k

Forks

Active open source · Fast-moving

Status

MIT

License

Open GitHub Repo Visit openclaw.ai Start with Quickstart

How to Get Started with OpenClaw

3 steps to put a personal AI assistant on your devices.

Install & onboard

Install, then onboard to verify model access, create the workspace and configure the Gateway.

curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash
openclaw onboard --install-daemon

Check the gateway

Confirm the local control plane is running.

openclaw gateway status

Open the dashboard

Open the Control UI, send a message to verify, then connect channels like Telegram or WhatsApp.

openclaw dashboard

Pitfalls

⚠️

Single-operator design

Designed for one operator, not multi-tenant SaaS. Revisit security boundaries before adding other users.

⚠️

Channels are an attack surface

Once connected, strangers can message you. Official guidance: pairing approval plus sandboxing — do not run bare.

⚠️

Node version requirement

npm install requires Node 22.22.3+/24.15+/25.9+; use the official installer to provision a runtime automatically.

Beside OpenCode & Hermes

All MIT open source, but different jobs: OpenClaw is assistant + channels, OpenCode is coding, Hermes is autonomy + memory. Pick by what you need.

Tool	Positioning	Channels	Deployment	License
OpenClaw	Personal assistant (multi-device, multi-channel)	WhatsApp, Telegram, Slack, Discord, Signal, iMessage…	Self-hosted local Gateway	MIT
OpenCode	Open coding agent (multi-surface)	None (terminal/desktop/IDE)	Local CLI / TUI	MIT
Hermes Agent	Self-improving autonomous agent	Telegram, Discord, Slack, WhatsApp, Signal, CLI	Local / Docker / serverless	MIT

Official Directory

Official

Official site (openclaw.ai)
Official site and installer.
GitHub repository
Source and security guides. MIT.

Docs & Security

Docs (docs.openclaw.ai)
Installation, Gateway, channels, tools and skills.
Getting started
onboard → gateway → dashboard in three steps.
Security & sandboxing
Treat inbound messages as untrusted; read before exposing the gateway.

Community

Discord
Official Discord community.

Ecosystem

Pi Agent (same ecosystem)
OpenClaw integrated Pi SDK early on; both live in the terminal-agent ecosystem.

Latest Updates

2026-08-14 · GitHub · openclaw/openclaw
OpenClaw leads personal AI assistant space across 8+ channels
A local Gateway unifies WhatsApp, Telegram, Slack, Discord, Signal, iMessage and more, with Control UI and companion apps for own-your-data operation.

What OpenClaw Is: the personal assistant on your own devices

LaoJin's Pick

386.3k ★ · 2026-08

OpenClaw（小龙虾）

A personal AI assistant on your own devices, a local Gateway unifying 8+ channels like WhatsApp/Telegram/Slack. The lobster way 🦞, your data stays yours.

FAQ

What is OpenClaw?: OpenClaw is a personal AI assistant running on your own devices. A local Gateway connects models, tools, messaging channels and optional companion apps. Its slogan: 'The lobster way 🦞'.
How do I install OpenClaw?: macOS/Linux: `curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash`; Windows: `iwr -useb https://openclaw.ai/install.ps1 | iex`; or `npm install -g openclaw@latest` (Node 22.22.3+).
How does OpenClaw differ from OpenCode and Pi?: OpenCode and Pi are coding agents; OpenClaw is a personal assistant — focused on multi-channel messaging (Telegram, WhatsApp, Slack) and single-operator self-hosting, not IDE completion.
Is OpenClaw secure?: The official stance: treat inbound messages as untrusted; DM channels pair unknown senders by default; tools run on the host unless sandboxed — read the security guide before exposing the gateway.

For Enterprise & Dev Teams

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Open-source frameworks are free, but turning a runtime into an enterprise asset requires access control, RBAC sandboxes, and private RAG integrations. Laojin Global provides commercial-grade architecture and deployment support.

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