WTF Is OpenClaw? From Clawdbot to Moltbot Explained

ChatGPT answers questions. Claude writes code. But OpenClaw? It clears your inbox while you sleep.

If you have been online in early 2026, you have seen the lobster emoji. OpenClaw (formerly Clawdbot, briefly Moltbot) has exploded to 147,000+ GitHub stars. But what is it actually, who built it, and why did it change names twice in one week?

What Is OpenClaw?

The 30-Second Explanation

OpenClaw is a self-hosted AI agent that runs on your computer (Mac, Windows, or Linux). It connects to your favorite chat apps—WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, iMessage—and gives an AI assistant the ability to actually do things: send emails, manage your calendar, execute terminal commands, and automate workflows.

Unlike ChatGPT, which lives in a browser tab and waits for you to type, OpenClaw is always running. It can take initiative, remember context across conversations, and execute tasks without constant hand-holding.

How It Differs from ChatGPT and Claude

| Feature | ChatGPT/Claude | OpenClaw | |---------|---------------|----------| | Runs on | OpenAI/Anthropic servers | Your local machine | | Privacy | Conversations stored in cloud | Data stays local | | Action | Text responses only | Can execute code, use tools | | Availability | Web/browser only | WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord | | Cost | Subscription | Free (bring your own API key) |

Who Built OpenClaw?

Peter Steinberger: From PSPDFKit to AI Agents

OpenClaw was created by Peter Steinberger, an Austrian developer who previously founded PSPDFKit—the PDF framework used by Apple on over one billion devices. PSPDFKit became the industry standard for mobile PDF viewing without venture funding, built through developer advocacy and technical excellence.

After selling his PSPDFKit shares in 2020 due to burnout, Steinberger spent years away from coding. In late 2025, he started experimenting with AI agents. OpenClaw began as a weekend project called "WhatsApp Relay"—a simple bridge between Claude AI and WhatsApp.

It went from concept to working prototype in one hour. Within 72 hours, it had 60,000 GitHub stars.

The Rebrand Saga: Three Names in One Week

November 2025: Clawdbot Launch

The project launched as "Clawdbot"—a play on "Claude" (the AI) and "bot." The name combined the AI assistant with the idea of a lobster's claw (grabbing and doing things).

January 26, 2026: Anthropic Trademark Notice

Anthropic, makers of Claude AI, sent a trademark infringement notice. "Clawdbot" was deemed too similar to "Claude." Rather than fight a legal battle, Steinberger agreed to rebrand.

January 26-29, 2026: The Moltbot Interlude

The project briefly became "Moltbot"—referencing how lobsters molt (shed their exoskeletons) to grow. The community ran with the lobster mascot. However, trademark searches revealed potential conflicts, and the name felt temporary.

January 29, 2026: OpenClaw

After completing proper trademark searches, the project settled on "OpenClaw"—combining "open" (open-source) with "claw" (the lobster). This is the current and (hopefully) final name.

Naming Timeline:

• Nov 2025-Jan 26, 2026: Clawdbot
• Jan 26-29, 2026: Moltbot
• Jan 29, 2026-present: OpenClaw

How OpenClaw Actually Works

The Gateway Architecture

OpenClaw runs a "gateway" service on your machine. This gateway:

• Connects to AI APIs (Claude, OpenAI, or local models via Ollama)
• Interfaces with chat apps through webhooks and APIs
• Manages persistent memory (stored as local Markdown files)
• Executes "skills" (automation workflows)

You interact with OpenClaw through familiar chat apps. Send a WhatsApp message to your OpenClaw contact, and the AI responds—with the ability to actually perform tasks, not just talk about them.

Local-First Data Storage

Unlike cloud AI services, OpenClaw stores your conversation history and agent memory as Markdown files on your local machine. This means:

• Privacy: Your data never leaves your computer (unless you choose)
• Ownership: You control your data completely
• Portability: Easy to backup, version control, or migrate
• Transparency: Plain text files you can read and edit

The Skills System

Skills extend OpenClaw's capabilities. Think of them as apps for your AI assistant. The ClawHub marketplace hosts 5,705 community-built skills:

• Browser & Automation: Web scraping, form filling (browse skill)
• Git & GitHub: PR reviews, commit analysis (github skill)
• Docker & DevOps: Container management (docker-essentials skill)
• Calendar & Scheduling: Meeting management, reminders
• Communication: Email triage, Slack monitoring

Skills are installed via: `npx clawhub@latest install <skill-name>`

Real Skills You Can Install Today

From the awesome-openclaw-skills repository (2,999+ curated skills):

Browser Automation

The browse skill gives your AI a web browser. It can navigate websites, fill forms, extract data. Use cases: automated flight check-in, web scraping, form submission.

GitHub Integration

The github skill interfaces with GitHub CLI. Your AI can review pull requests, check CI/CD status, create issues, and summarize repository activity.

Docker Management

The docker-essentials skill lets your AI start/stop containers, check status, and run commands—enabling infrastructure management from chat apps.

SSH Operations

The ssh-tunnel skill manages secure tunnels for remote database access without permanent connections.

Who Should Use OpenClaw?

Ideal Users

• Technical professionals comfortable with CLI and self-hosting
• Privacy-conscious users who want AI without cloud data storage
• Developers who want AI integrated into existing workflows
• Automation enthusiasts looking to reduce repetitive tasks

Who Should Skip It

• Non-technical users needing zero-config solutions
• Security-paranoid users without time to harden the installation
• Casual AI users satisfied with ChatGPT/Claude web interfaces
• Budget-conscious users surprised by API costs

Before installing, read our [@portabletext/react] Unknown block type "span", specify a component for it in the `components.types` prop covering the February 2026 vulnerabilities. If OpenClaw fits your needs, follow our [@portabletext/react] Unknown block type "span", specify a component for it in the `components.types` prop. Explore [@portabletext/react] Unknown block type "span", specify a component for it in the `components.types` prop once you're running.

OpenClaw is not just another chatbot. It is infrastructure for AI agents that actually act on your behalf—built by a developer who knows what it takes to create tools that developers love.

Sources:

• Peter Steinberger interview (The Pragmatic Engineer Podcast, Jan 28, 2026)
• OpenClaw Rebrand History (securemolt.com, Jan 28, 2026)
• GitHub awesome-openclaw-skills repository