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Clawdbot is no longer the current name. The project was renamed from Clawdbot to Moltbot and then to OpenClaw. Its current code repository is github.com/openclaw/openclaw, the official site is openclaw.ai, and the documentation is at docs.openclaw.ai.
That naming history matters because many older guides still tell readers to install clawdbot or moltbot. The current command is openclaw. OpenClaw is a self-hosted AI assistant that connects a language model to messaging channels, files, browser automation, plugins and selected computer tools through a local Gateway.
What was Clawdbot, and what is OpenClaw now?
OpenClaw is an AI assistant platform designed to run under your control rather than as a standalone chatbot website. You provide access to a model provider, choose a workspace, and optionally connect services such as Telegram, Discord, Slack, WhatsApp or other supported channels.
The Gateway is the central service. It manages the assistant, serves the browser-based Control UI and handles connections to channels and tools. By default, the Gateway uses port 18789 and the local Control UI is available at:
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http://127.0.0.1:18789/The assistant can be useful for tasks such as answering messages, summarising information, working with files, running approved commands or automating browser actions. Those capabilities also mean it should be treated more like a privileged automation service than a harmless chat app.
The name changes
| Older name | Current status |
|---|---|
| Clawdbot | Former project name |
| Moltbot | Later former project name |
| OpenClaw | Current official name and CLI |
So the statement “Clawdbot is now Moltbot” is incomplete. The project subsequently became OpenClaw. Use the current repository and documentation when installing or troubleshooting it.
What you need before installing
The current getting-started documentation lists these supported Node.js versions:
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- Node.js 25.9 or newer
Node.js 26 is the recommended runtime. OpenClaw supports macOS, Linux and WSL2, with a PowerShell installer for Windows.
You will also need access to an AI model provider unless you plan to use one of the supported sign-in methods during onboarding. Model usage may incur separate provider charges.
How to install OpenClaw
macOS, Linux or WSL2
Run the official installer:
curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bashWindows PowerShell
iwr -useb https://openclaw.ai/install.ps1 | iexManual npm installation
If Node.js is already installed and managed on your machine, install the current package globally:
npm install -g openclaw@latestAfter installation, use the recommended onboarding command:
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openclaw onboard --install-daemonOnboarding configures model access, the workspace and the Gateway. It can also guide you through channel pairing, provider sign-in, skills and plugins.
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Starting and opening the Gateway
Check whether the Gateway is running:
openclaw gateway statusOpen the dashboard with:
openclaw dashboardIf the dashboard does not load because the Gateway is not running, start it manually:
openclaw gatewayThen visit http://127.0.0.1:18789/ or http://localhost:18789/. The Control UI communicates with the Gateway over its WebSocket on the same port.
Configuring OpenClaw in the Control UI
Open the Control UI and select the Config tab. It provides a schema-driven form and a Raw JSON editor. Advanced settings are hidden under Advanced (N); select Show advanced to expand them.
Channel-specific options are under Settings → Channels. Connection details are under Settings → Connection. The Gateway Host card shows useful diagnostic information, including the machine, LAN address, operating system, runtime, uptime, CPU load, memory and state-volume disk space.
Other useful locations include:
- Settings → Appearance → Language changes the interface language.
- Settings → Appearance → Sidebar controls session observation and utility-model behaviour.
- Plugins opens plugin management.
The default configuration file is:
~/.openclaw/openclaw.jsonThis is JSON5 rather than strict JSON, so comments and some relaxed JSON syntax may be accepted. If the file does not exist, OpenClaw uses safe defaults. The file must be a regular file; a symlinked configuration path can be replaced atomically instead of writing through to its target.
You can also manage settings from the terminal:
openclaw config get agents.defaults.workspace
openclaw config set agents.defaults.heartbeat.every "2h"
openclaw config unset plugins.entries.brave.config.webSearch.apiKey
openclaw config schemaConfiguration errors are not silently ignored. Unknown keys, invalid values and malformed types can prevent the Gateway from starting. If you need to relocate state or configuration, the current environment-variable overrides include OPENCLAW_HOME, OPENCLAW_STATE_DIR and OPENCLAW_CONFIG_PATH.
Connecting messaging channels
OpenClaw connects channels through the Gateway. Text messaging is broadly supported, while media, reactions and other features vary by service. Documented channels include Telegram, Discord, Slack, WhatsApp, Signal, iMessage, Microsoft Teams, Google Chat, Matrix, IRC, Mattermost, Twitch, LINE, WeChat, WeCom, Zalo, SMS, Synology Chat, Nostr and Feishu.
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Telegram is currently listed as a bundled plugin. Other official channel plugins can be installed with:
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openclaw plugins install @openclaw/<id>Restart the Gateway after installing an official plugin. For iMessage, current documentation describes the native imsg route. Older articles that present BlueBubbles as the preferred current setup are describing an earlier approach.
Plugins and skills
Select Plugins in the Control UI sidebar. The plugin area has four tabs:
- Installed
- Discover
- Skills
- Workshop
The corresponding paths are /settings/plugins, /settings/plugins/discover, /skills and /skills/workshop. The Discover tab searches ClawHub and displays source-verification badges and download counts.
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Authentication, pairing and the common “pairing required” error
Authentication happens before device pairing. Being connected through 127.0.0.1 does not bypass authentication.
OpenClaw can authenticate with a Gateway token, a password, Tailscale identity headers or a trusted-proxy setup. If token mode starts without a configured token, the Gateway may create an ephemeral runtime token. That token is not saved in configuration and cannot be recovered after the process changes.
For a persistent token, run:
openclaw doctor --generate-gateway-token
openclaw gateway auth-token --showRestart the Gateway and enter the displayed token in the Control UI settings.
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A new browser profile may show:
disconnected (1008): pairing requiredList pending requests and approve the correct one:
openclaw devices list
openclaw devices approve <requestId>If you retry after changing authentication details, scopes, role or public key, the old request may be superseded. Run openclaw devices list again before approving. Every browser profile has its own device ID. Clearing browser data, using private browsing or switching profiles therefore causes another pairing request.
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To remove a device role:
openclaw devices revoke --device <id> --role <role>Mobile pairing is started in the UI by selecting Devices and clicking Pair mobile device. In the mobile app, open Settings → Gateway and scan the QR code. Remote mobile pairing requires a wss:// Gateway endpoint; plain ws:// is restricted to loopback and private-LAN addresses.
Security: local does not automatically mean private
OpenClaw’s documented security model assumes one trusted operator per Gateway. It is not intended to be a hostile multi-tenant boundary where mutually untrusted people share one tool-enabled assistant. If separate users must not share authority, use separate Gateways and preferably separate operating-system users or hosts.
A sessionKey selects routing; it is not an authorization token. Do not treat it as a security boundary.
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openclaw security audit
openclaw security audit --deep
openclaw security audit --jsonThe automatic remediation option is:
openclaw security audit --fixDepending on the findings, --fix can change open group policies to allowlists, tighten state and configuration permissions to 600 for files and 700 for directories, and reset Windows ACLs.
The audit checks direct-message and group access, tool permissions, command execution policy, Gateway exposure, browser control, filesystem permissions, plugins, sandbox configuration and legacy model settings.
A sensible starting posture is a loopback-bound Gateway, token authentication, per-channel/per-peer DM scope, the messaging tools profile, disabled elevated tools, command execution denied by default with confirmation required, pairing-based WhatsApp DMs and required group mentions.
Do not casually reverse-proxy port 18789 to the public internet. A January 2026 advisory reported more than 900 exposed Clawdbot/Moltbot deployments linked to misconfigured reverse proxies. Reported exposure included administration interfaces, API keys, OAuth tokens, conversation histories and credentials. Browser and Canvas-related ports were also identified in the 18791–18793 range.
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Updating OpenClaw
The available update channels are:
| Channel | Use |
|---|---|
stable |
Normal release channel |
beta |
Preview releases, with fallback to stable/latest when appropriate |
extended-stable |
Exact public npm version; fails closed if registry data is inconsistent |
dev |
Moving GitHub main checkout |
Preview an update or inspect its state:
openclaw update --dry-run
openclaw update status --jsonExamples for changing channels:
openclaw update --channel beta
openclaw update --channel extended-stable
openclaw update --channel dev
openclaw update --channel stableopenclaw update --channel dev switches to a Git checkout; stable switches back to npm. A one-off development update is openclaw update --tag main. There is no --verbose option for openclaw update; use --dry-run or JSON output for diagnostics.
Updates change the installed OpenClaw code but preserve state, configuration, credentials and the workspace under ~/.openclaw. If a managed Gateway exists, the update normally refreshes its service metadata and restarts it. Use --no-restart when that is not wanted.
If npm installation fails after the package-install phase, rerun the official installer:
curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bashWho should use it?
OpenClaw is most suitable for technically confident users who want an assistant connected to their own workflow and are prepared to review permissions, model costs, channel access and plugin provenance. It is less suitable for someone looking for a zero-configuration chatbot or a safe way to give an AI unrestricted access to a shared computer.
FAQ
Is Clawdbot still available?
Clawdbot is the former name of the project. It was followed by Moltbot and then OpenClaw, which is the current official name, repository and CLI.
What command replaces clawdbot or moltbot?
Use the openclaw command. For example, install with npm install -g openclaw@latest and start onboarding with openclaw onboard --install-daemon.
Where is the OpenClaw dashboard?
After the Gateway is running, open http://127.0.0.1:18789/ or run openclaw dashboard.
Why does OpenClaw say “pairing required”?
The browser or device has not been approved, or it appears to be a new device after browser data was cleared or a different profile was used. Run openclaw devices list, then approve the current request with openclaw devices approve <requestId>.
Is OpenClaw private because it runs locally?
Not automatically. OpenClaw may connect to model providers, messaging services, plugins, browsers, local files and host tools. Keep the Gateway on loopback or a properly secured private endpoint, audit permissions and avoid exposing port 18789 through an unsafe reverse proxy.
Can several unrelated people safely share one OpenClaw Gateway?
The documented model is one trusted operator per Gateway. Separate mutually untrusted users should have separate Gateways and preferably separate operating-system users or hosts.
The Bottom Line
Clawdbot and Moltbot are historical names; OpenClaw is the current project. Install it with the current openclaw commands, use the Control UI at port 18789, and pair devices deliberately. Its flexibility is also its main risk: a connected assistant can inherit access to messages, files, browsers, plugins and system tools. Run the security audit before expanding what it can do, and do not expose the Gateway publicly without a carefully configured authentication and proxy design.
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