Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about OpenClaw (Moltbot). Can't find what you're looking for? Join Discord for help.

General

What is OpenClaw (Moltbot)?

OpenClaw (Moltbot) is a personal AI assistant that runs on your own machine. Unlike cloud-based AI assistants, OpenClaw (Moltbot) gives you complete control while providing powerful automation through any chat app you use.

Control it via WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, Slack, Signal, or iMessage. It can browse the web, manage files, execute commands, and remember context across conversations.

How is it different from ChatGPT or Claude?

OpenClaw (Moltbot) is an AI agent that can actually perform actions:

  • Runs locally on your machine
  • Takes actions (browse web, manage files, execute commands)
  • Persistent memory across conversations
  • Extensible with custom skills
  • Works from any chat app
  • Your data stays private

OpenClaw (Moltbot) can use ChatGPT or Claude as its AI model, but adds automation on top.

Is OpenClaw (Moltbot) free?

OpenClaw (Moltbot) itself is free and open-source. You pay for AI model API usage:

  • Light use: $2-5/month
  • Moderate use: $10-30/month
  • Heavy use: $30-100/month
  • Local models: Free (requires powerful hardware)

Is my data private?

Yes. OpenClaw (Moltbot) runs entirely on your machine. Your conversations, files, and data stay on your device. Only your prompts are sent to the AI model API you choose.

What happened to Clawdbot?

Clawdbot was rebranded to OpenClaw (Moltbot) in January 2025 following trademark considerations. All functionality remains the same. The CLI is still called clawd for backwards compatibility.

Technical

What are the system requirements?

Minimum:

  • Node.js 18.0.0+
  • 4GB RAM (8GB+ recommended)
  • 1GB free disk space
  • macOS, Windows, or Linux

Can I run it on a server?

Yes. Many users run OpenClaw (Moltbot) on home servers, VPS, or cloud instances for 24/7 availability. Just secure your server properly.

Which AI models are supported?

  • Anthropic Claude (recommended)
  • OpenAI GPT-4, GPT-3.5
  • Local models (Ollama, LM Studio)
  • MiniMax
  • Any OpenAI-compatible endpoint

Can I use local/offline models?

Yes, via Ollama, LM Studio, or any OpenAI-compatible endpoint. Note that local models require more powerful hardware and may not perform as well for complex tasks.

Security

Is it safe to give file system access?

Best practices:

  • Run on a trusted machine only
  • Configure workspace restrictions
  • Monitor activity logs
  • Start with limited permissions

How do I secure my instance?

  • Protect API keys (never commit to version control)
  • Use channel authentication
  • Limit file system permissions
  • Review logs regularly
  • Keep OpenClaw (Moltbot) updated

View security guide →

Usage

How do I get started?

npm i -g clawdbot
clawd onboard
clawd

View full guide →

How do I add skills?

clawd skill install skill-name

Browse skills at ClawdHub

Can I use multiple chat apps?

Yes. Connect multiple platforms simultaneously:

clawd channel add whatsapp
clawd channel add telegram
clawd channel add discord

Community

Where can I get help?

Can I contribute?

Yes! Contributions welcome:

  • Code — Submit pull requests on GitHub
  • Skills — Create and share on ClawdHub
  • Documentation — Improve docs or this wiki
  • Community — Help others in Discord

Still have questions? Join Discord or ask on GitHub