OpenClaw AI: The Complete Guide to Your Personal AI Assistant

Last Updated: February 2026

Looking for information about OpenClaw AI? You're in the right place. This guide covers everything you need to know about the open-source AI assistant that's taken the tech world by storm.

What is OpenClaw AI?

OpenClaw is a free, open-source autonomous AI assistant that runs on your own devices. Unlike ChatGPT or Claude (which run in browser tabs), OpenClaw lives on your computer and connects to the messaging apps you already use—WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, Slack, and more.

Think of it as having a personal assistant that's available 24/7, remembers everything you've discussed, and can actually do things—not just talk about them.

Why OpenClaw is Different

1. It Actually Does Things

Most AI chatbots can only talk. OpenClaw can:

• Browse the web and research topics for you
• Read and write files on your computer
• Run shell commands to automate tasks
• Send messages on your behalf
• Schedule reminders and follow up on tasks
• Manage your calendar and emails

2. It Remembers Everything

ChatGPT forgets your conversation when you close the tab. OpenClaw maintains persistent memory across sessions. It remembers your projects, preferences, and past conversations—building context over time like a real assistant would.

3. Your Data Stays Private

Because OpenClaw runs on your own hardware, your conversations and data never leave your control. No training on your data. No third-party access. Complete privacy.

4. Works Where You Already Are

Instead of switching to yet another app, OpenClaw meets you where you are:

• WhatsApp — Message your AI like texting a friend
• Telegram — Full-featured bot with inline buttons
• Discord — Works in servers and DMs
• Slack — Integrates with your workspace
• Signal — For the privacy-conscious
• iMessage — Native Apple integration

Key Features

Autonomous Operation

OpenClaw doesn't just respond—it takes initiative. Set up tasks and it will:

• Monitor websites for changes
• Send you daily briefings
• Follow up on reminders
• Execute scheduled workflows

Skills System

Extend OpenClaw's capabilities with 100+ pre-built skills:

• Email management (Gmail, Outlook)
• Calendar integration
• GitHub operations
• Home automation
• Crypto trading
• And much more

Multi-Model Support

Use your preferred AI model:

• Claude (Anthropic) — Best for complex reasoning
• GPT-4 (OpenAI) — Versatile and capable
• Gemini (Google) — Fast and efficient
• Local models (Ollama) — Completely offline

How to Get Started

Requirements

• A computer that can stay on (Mac, Windows, Linux, or Raspberry Pi)
• Node.js 18 or later
• An API key from your preferred AI provider

Quick Install

npm install -g openclaw
openclaw onboard

The onboard wizard walks you through:

1. Choosing your AI provider
2. Setting up your first messaging channel
3. Basic configuration

Within 10 minutes, you'll have your own AI assistant running.

Who Uses OpenClaw?

OpenClaw has been adopted by:

• Entrepreneurs automating business operations
• Developers using it as a coding assistant
• Remote workers managing communications
• Crypto traders monitoring markets 24/7
• Content creators scheduling and publishing

With 145,000+ GitHub stars and adoption by companies in Silicon Valley and China, OpenClaw has become the de facto standard for self-hosted AI assistants.

Common Questions

Is OpenClaw free?

Yes, OpenClaw itself is completely free and open-source. You only pay for the AI model API calls (typically $5-50/month depending on usage).

Can I run it locally without internet?

Yes! Using Ollama or other local model servers, you can run OpenClaw completely offline with no API costs.

Is it safe?

OpenClaw runs on your own hardware with full transparency into what it's doing. You control what permissions it has. However, like any powerful tool, it should be configured carefully.

How is it different from ChatGPT?

Next Steps

Ready to get started? Check out these resources:

• Installation Guide — Step-by-step setup
• Skills Directory — Browse available skills
• Community — Join 500+ builders

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OpenClaw is open source and actively developed. Visit GitHub to contribute or report issues.