Clawdbot is now OpenClaw
Same idea, significantly upgraded. If you were using Clawdbot, here's what changed and what to do next.
Clawdbot was renamed to OpenClaw in early 2026. It's the same open-source AI assistant platform — self-hosted, runs on Telegram/WhatsApp/Discord, connects to Claude, GPT, and Gemini — now with a new name, new features, and a larger community. If you have an old Clawdbot install, migration takes about 10 minutes.
The naming history
Peter Steinberger started the project as a personal assistant that ran on Telegram and connected to Claude (Anthropic's AI). The name Clawdbot was a portmanteau of Claude + bot.
As the project grew and added support for more AI providers and messaging platforms, it went through Moltbot before landing on OpenClaw — reflecting its open-source nature and broader scope.
In February 2026, Reuters reported that Steinberger joined OpenAI. The project continues as open source at github.com/openclaw/openclaw.
What changed from Clawdbot
| Area | Clawdbot | OpenClaw |
|---|---|---|
| Package name | clawdbot (npm) | openclaw (npm) |
| Config folder | ~/.clawdbot | ~/.openclaw |
| Gateway | Not available | Built-in (openclaw gateway start) |
| Skills | Limited, manual | ClawHub marketplace + custom |
| Cloud version | None | cloud.getopenclaw.ai |
| Community | Small Discord | Skool + Discord |
Migrating from Clawdbot
10 minutes if you move fast. Start fresh rather than migrating config — the structure changed enough that a clean install is easier.
Remove the old package.
Clears old settings. Your prompts and workflows you'll re-enter in the new config.
Fresh install.
New guided setup flow — faster than the old Clawdbot process.
FAQ
Is Clawdbot the same as OpenClaw?
Yes. Clawdbot was the original name before the project went through Moltbot and settled on OpenClaw. Same core concept — a self-hosted AI assistant that runs on messaging platforms — but significantly upgraded since the Clawdbot days.
Do I need to reinstall if I have Clawdbot?
Yes, if you want the latest features. Run: npm uninstall -g clawdbot && npm install -g openclaw. Your old workflows and prompts will likely still work, but the config structure changed. Start fresh with ~/.openclaw.
Is Clawdbot still supported?
No. The old Clawdbot npm package is no longer maintained. All development moved to the OpenClaw package. If you're on Clawdbot, you're on an unmaintained version.
What happened to the Clawdbot GitHub?
The repository was renamed and continues as github.com/openclaw/openclaw. The original Clawdbot repo may still exist as an archive but isn't actively maintained.
Who created Clawdbot / OpenClaw?
Peter Steinberger, an Austrian developer known for building PSPDFKit (now Nutrient). He started it as a personal project and open-sourced it. In February 2026, he joined OpenAI. The project continues as open source.