What Is ClawdBot (Now OpenClaw)? A Guide to Understanding and Using the "AI Butler"

How OpenClaw Works

While AI models like GPT and DeepSeek can respond to your prompts, you can think of OpenClaw like an AI butler.

You can message OpenClaw, which is installed on your computer or laptop, to help you with real actions, just as a butler or assistant would. Here’s what it can do:

• Runs on your local machine: ClawdBot runs on your own computer, not just in a cloud-based web page like ChatGPT, to be closer to your everyday apps.
• Uses Claude as the “brain”: When you send a request, the agent uses Claude AI to understand what you mean and draft the response or next steps.

• Can interact with your computer: With your permission, it can open apps, type, click, and move information between tools. Before you begin your OpenClaw setup, make sure you have a computer you can leave on.

• Requires your own API Key: To power the brain, the agent uses an Anthropic API key during setup to access Claude’s intelligence using your account.

• Optimization of costs: You can use APIYI as an API proxy alternative with an OpenAI-compatible interface with more competitive pricing.

ClawdBot (Now OpenClaw) name changes

OpenClaw, which was originally named ClawdBot, was released in November 2025. Since then, the company has undergone several name changes at Anthropic's request over a trademark issue.

Since its release, the AI agent has been branded as:

• Clawdbot (first name)
• Moltbot
• OpenClaw (Current name)

How to Install OpenClaw (ex Clawdbot) Quickly

Before you get started, make sure you have the latest version of the software on your desktop or laptop. The quick install usually takes around 30 to 60 minutes, depending on how comfortable you are with a terminal.

If you would like to install it quickly with the ClawdBot installer, you simply need to:

1. Open your terminal: If you use Windows, open WSL2 (Ubuntu terminal), as standard PowerShell is not supported. If you use Mac/Linux, open your standard terminal.

# Install via npm (recommended)
npm install -g clawdbot@latest

# Or use pnpm
pnpm add -g clawdbot@latest

2. Run the installation script: Copy and paste the following command:

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

3. Follow the Wizard: The script will launch an onboarding wizard to help you set up your API keys and connect your first messaging app, like Telegram or WhatsApp.

# Start the interactive configuration wizard
moltbot onboard --install-daemon

Once you've gone through these steps, you should have the program set up on your computer, ready to perform different tasks for you at any time of day.

What Can You Actually Do with OpenClaw?

Using an AI agent doesn't have to be just for tech experts. Below are practical ways any professional, student, or casual user can run OpenClaw for day-to-day work and chores.

Draft and sort email replies

Ask the agent to summarize a long thread and draft a reply in your tone for support, sales, or internal emails to help you save time when you're answering similar questions or need a quick first draft.

Schedule meetings without the back-and-forth

Tell OpenClaw your availability schedule and the goal of the meeting, and have it propose times. This can be helpful when you're juggling a full calendar or trying to work with more than one person.

Clean up spreadsheets and simplify data entry

Try giving it messy notes or a list, and ask for a structured table with organized columns, categories, and duplicates removed to help you turn "rough info" into something you can actually filter and use.

Gather quick research briefs

When trying to speed up early research, you can ask OpenClaw for a short summary of a topic or key takeaways. Then you can request a list of sources to review next to better organize your workflow.

Organize files and folders

Tell your "AI butler" how you want things grouped, for example, by client, date, and project, and have it prepare a compact structure whenever downloads and shared files pile up, and you need to order your digital space quickly.

Integrations: What OpenClaw Can Connect To

ClawdBot can connect to everyday tools if you choose to authorize them, so it can act on requests rather than just reply with text.

• Email: Connect email accounts so that it can help summarize threads and draft replies. Limitation: it only works with the accounts you link.
• Calendar: Access calendar data to suggest times, create events, or prep agenda-style summaries. Limitation: depends on what permissions you grant.
• File system (local files): Read and organize files you point it to (notes, docs, downloads). Limitation: it won't "see" anything you don't allow.
• Other services: Connect to supported tools like Spotify and smart home services for simple commands and automations.

How Much Does OpenClaw Cost?

The good news is that OpenClaw itself is free, open source, and self-hosted, so you're not paying a monthly fee for the AI.

However, you do need to pay for usage of APIs. This is what you should be aware of:

• API costs: You'll need an API key from a source like Anthropic or even OpenAI, which is more cost-effective, and you will pay based on how much you use (more text in/out = higher cost).
• Usage: The cost for light, chat-style use is usually low. However, costs rise when you run longer tasks, for example, for summaries and automations.
• Hosting: You can run the AI on a computer you already have, or on a small VPS, typically for $3–$5/month.

For a broader comparison, see the different costs below for ClawdBot, ChatGPT, and Claude.

Keep in mind that the base cost for OpenClaw doesn't include the "brain" of the bot. You'll need to connect your own paid account that uses a "pay-as-you-go" model rather than a flat monthly fee, which can end up being expensive.

Examples of Security Risks Associate With OpenClaw

While OpenClaw is a great tool to use, it has been found guilty of not being 100% safe to use.

Here are some examples of security vulnerabilities and risks that have been found in OpenClaw:

• A bug, titled CVE-2026-25253, allowed attackers to hijack the agent via a single malicious link, bypassing sandboxes to execute arbitrary code directly on the user's machine.
• To work on its own, the agent often runs in “God mode”, which means any compromise grants an attacker total control over the operating system.
• The “skills” marketplace has been targeted by attackers who upload fake plugins and extensions that disguise themselves as useful tools but instead can install viruses or steal your data.
• OpenClaw can be tricked by hidden-text instructions to ignore safety rails and execute harmful commands.
• Default setups and user errors have left hundreds of instances exposed to the public web. This has led to leaking plaintext API keys and private chat logs to anyone scanning the internet.
• OpenClaw can manage your crypto trading; however, its strategies have led some users to lose all their invested funds.

How to Safely Run OpenClaw on Your System

The AI can be safe if you use it correctly, but it can also give out sensitive information if you’re not careful. Here are some ways to keep your information safe when using Clawdbot:

• Prevent prompt injection: Hackers can trick the bot via DMs or group chats. Always set it to "mention-only" in groups and strictly authorize trusted users to prevent unauthorized access.
• Lock down the network: Never expose the admin panel to the open internet. Bind ports locally and access the interface only via a VPN or a secure reverse proxy.
• Limit tool access: Avoid running the bot with elevated (root) privileges. Go with sandboxed environments, so the bot cannot damage your host system if hacked.
• Manage your data: Configure backup policies and redaction to keep sensitive data and API keys private.
• Run the audit: Use the built-in security audit command to automatically scan your configuration for defects and footguns before going live.

OpenClaw Architecture in 60 Seconds

ClawdBot follows an architecture that goes from input to action in seconds. Here's the flow it follows from start to finish:

1. The input: You send a text via WhatsApp, Telegram, or iMessage, the same way you would message a friend or coworker.
2. The gateway: Your private server acts as a "traffic controller," instantly receiving the message and keeping the connection alive.
3. The brain: The system routes your text to the AI model (like Claude or GPT), which consults Long-Term Memory to recall past conversations and context.
4. The action: The agent uses tools such as web search, calendar access, or file management to perform the work before texting you the result.

Resources:

• OpenClaw
• Viral AI personal assistant seen as step change – but experts warn of risks
• CVE-2026-25253: 1-Click RCE in OpenClaw Through Auth Token Exfiltration