OpenClaw is the current name of the local, open-source AI agent previously known as Moltbot, and before that, Clawdbot. While the name has changed, the underlying software and concept remain the same: a self-hosted AI agent that can take real actions on your computer rather than just generate text.
If you are searching for Moltbot, OpenClaw, or Clawdbot, you are looking at the same project at different points in its evolution. OpenClaw is simply the most recent and official name.
What OpenClaw does
OpenClaw runs locally on your own machine or server and is designed to act as a persistent personal AI agent. Instead of operating as a hosted chatbot, it can access files, interact with applications, execute commands, and automate workflows on your behalf.
Once installed on macOS, Windows, Linux, or a small server, OpenClaw can handle tasks such as email and calendar management, file operations, script execution, and integrations with external services. It maintains memory across interactions and can be connected to the AI model of your choice, whether cloud-based or local.
Users typically interact with OpenClaw through familiar messaging interfaces such as Slack, Telegram, or similar chat tools, making it feel less like a traditional application and more like an always-available assistant.
Why Moltbot was renamed OpenClaw
The project has gone through multiple name changes in a short period of time. It originally launched as Clawdbot, then rebranded to Moltbot, and was later renamed OpenClaw.
The changes were driven by branding and legal considerations rather than technical ones. Earlier names created confusion and unwanted associations, and the rapid popularity of the project also attracted scams and impersonation attempts. Renaming the project provided a cleaner, more defensible identity and a clearer signal that the software is open-source and locally controlled.
Importantly, the rename did not introduce a new version, fork, or redesign. OpenClaw is Moltbot under a new name.
OpenClaw and security considerations
OpenClaw’s power is also its main tradeoff. Because it can execute commands and access sensitive data, it requires careful configuration and strong security practices. Misconfiguration can expose credentials, messages, or API keys, especially when users connect the agent to multiple services or remote interfaces.
This makes OpenClaw best suited for technically comfortable users who understand the implications of running a local agent with broad permissions. It offers a high degree of control and flexibility, but that control comes with real responsibility.
How OpenClaw fits into the broader agent ecosystem
OpenClaw is part of a growing trend toward local and semi-autonomous AI agents that blur the line between software tools and digital assistants. It is often discussed alongside experiments such as Moltbook, a social-style platform where AI agents interact, but the two are separate projects with different purposes.
As interest in agent-based systems grows, OpenClaw has become a reference point for what is possible when AI systems are allowed to act directly in real environments rather than remaining confined to text generation.
OpenClaw vs Moltbot: are they the same?
Yes. OpenClaw and Moltbot refer to the same AI agent. Moltbot is the former name, and OpenClaw is the current one. Older tutorials, articles, and repositories may still use the Moltbot name, but they are describing the same software.
For a deeper, architecture-level explanation of how the agent works and what it can do, see the original Moltbot overview.