Meet Openclaw: The AI Assistant Previously Known as Moltbot and Clawdbot

Openclaw is making waves as a powerful personal AI assistant. If the name sounds new, that’s because it recently changed. Previously known as Moltbot and Clawdbot, this open-source project has become a favorite among developers and early adopters for one simple reason: it doesn’t just chat — it acts.

Openclaw is a local AI assistant that runs directly on your own machine—Mac, PC, Linux, even Raspberry Pi. Previously known as Moltbot and Clawdbot, the tool keeps the same local-first approach while continuing to expand its capabilities.

Once set up, Openclaw can handle a wide range of everyday digital tasks, including:

• Clearing your inbox

• Sending and replying to emails

• Managing your calendar

• Booking flights

• Running shell commands

• Executing scripts

• Browsing the web

• Automating workflows across services

All of this happens through messaging apps you already use—WhatsApp, Telegram, Slack, iMessage, and others. You interact with Openclaw assistant like you would with a colleague: send a message, and it gets to work.

Unlike cloud-based AI tools, Openclaw runs locally. That means you stay in control of your data and your system. No external servers. No API limits. Just a personal AI assistant that works on your terms, available whenever you need it.

Originally launched as Clawdbot, the project began as a playful experiment inspired by Anthropic’s Claude model, complete with a red space-lobster mascot named Clawd. The name, however, proved too close for comfort. After a trademark request from Anthropic, the project was asked to change its branding to avoid confusion.

That first transition led to Moltbot, a name chosen with the community during an early-morning Discord brainstorm. The idea of molting—how lobsters shed their shells to grow—fit the moment. As creator Peter Steinberger (@steipete) put it at the time, “Same lobster soul, new shell.” The mascot followed suit, with Clawd becoming Molty.

Openclaw marks the project’s third—and most deliberate—identity. This time, the team did its homework: trademark checks cleared, domains secured, and migration paths prepared. The name reflects what the project has grown into—open-source, community-driven, and no longer tied to a single reference point. “Open” signals openness and accessibility, while “Claw” preserves the project’s lobster heritage.

With Openclaw, the name finally matches the ambition: a local-first, open agent platform designed to run on your own machine, follow you across chat apps, and operate fully on your terms.

Openclaw’s hands-on approach is a big part of its appeal. It’s not just another chatbot—it behaves more like a remote employee that executes requests, automates workflows, and adapts over time. A built-in memory system allows it to learn user preferences and working style, making interactions increasingly personalized.

Many users run Openclaw on dedicated hardware such as Mac mini servers, effectively turning them into always-on personal AI stations. Thanks to Apple’s M-series chips, performance remains fast and efficient while staying fully local and offline.

Some developers describe the experience as their “iPhone moment for AI”—a sense that Openclaw doesn’t just improve existing tools, but fundamentally changes how personal AI fits into daily workflows.

With greater autonomy comes greater responsibility—especially around security. Experts, including those at Cisco, have warned that AI agents like Openclaw can introduce risks if misconfigured or used carelessly. Because Openclaw can access local files, run commands, and connect to services, a poorly written plugin or exposed endpoint could lead to credential leaks or data loss.

That’s why the community stresses caution when installing third-party extensions from the open plugin hub. The Openclaw team has been transparent about these risks and, alongside the rebrand, has shipped significant security hardening across the codebase—while continuing to emphasize that secure deployments ultimately remain the user’s responsibility.

Whether you first encountered it as Clawdbot, followed it through Moltbot, or are discovering it now as Openclaw, this AI assistant reflects a broader shift toward local, powerful, and customizable automation. This isn’t just another rename—it’s a more mature phase of the same idea. And if you’re ready to stop typing instructions and start delegating real work, Openclaw might feel less like a tool and more like your next dependable coworker.

If OpenClaw sparked your interest, you’re not alone—tools like this are changing the way we approach digital work. But it’s just one piece of a much bigger automation puzzle. If you’re looking to explore more options for optimizing your daily tasks, don’t miss our curated selection of the best AI workflow automation tools.