Clawdbot is a revolutionary open-source personal AI assistant that's generating significant buzz in the AI community. Here's everything you need to know:
What is Clawdbot?
Clawdbot is a personal AI assistant that runs entirely on your own devices (Mac, PC, Linux, Raspberry Pi, or cloud server). Unlike traditional AI assistants, it connects to messaging apps you already use daily, making it feel like you're texting a real assistant rather than using another separate app.
Key Characteristics:
Open-source (MIT licensed, 15K+ GitHub stars)
Runs locally on your hardware with full privacy control
Multi-channel support: WhatsApp, Telegram, Slack, Discord, Google Chat, Signal, iMessage, Microsoft Teams, and more
Self-improving: Can build new skills and capabilities on demand
24/7 operation: Acts as a persistent digital assistant
Core Features
1. Multi-Channel Communication
Connect through your preferred messaging platform:
WhatsApp (via Baileys)
Telegram (via grammY)
Slack, Discord, iMessage
Google Chat, Signal, Microsoft Teams
BlueBubbles, Matrix, Zalo
WebChat interface
2. Advanced AI Capabilities
Voice Wake & Talk Mode: Always-on speech recognition (macOS/iOS/Android)
Live Canvas: Agent-driven visual workspace with A2UI
Browser Control: Managed Chrome/Chromium with full automation
Multi-agent routing: Route different channels to isolated AI agents
Proactive assistance: Sends reminders, cron jobs, background tasks
3. Self-Improvement & Skills
Clawdbot can enhance itself by:
Installing new skills from ClawdHub
Creating custom integrations on demand
Writing and executing code to add functionality
Building tools as needed through conversation
4. Local-First Architecture
Gateway control plane: Single WebSocket control for sessions, channels, and events
Workspace system: Settings stored as Markdown files locally (~/clawd)
Memory system: Daily notes in plain text format
Full filesystem access: With proper permissions
What Makes It Special?
Revolutionary Aspects:
Computer Access: Clawdbot can execute Terminal commands, write scripts, and modify files
Self-Modification: Ask it to add features, and it builds them for itself
Hackable & Extensible: Everything runs locally, fully inspectable, and customizable
Context Persistence: 24/7 memory across all interactions
Multi-Platform: Works on macOS, Linux, Windows (WSL2), Raspberry Pi
Real-World Use Cases:
Managing Gmail, calendars, and scheduling
Controlling smart home devices (Philips Hue, Sonos, air purifiers)
Automating workflows (replacing Zapier automations)
Project management (Todoist, Notion integration)
Code review, testing, and development tasks
Health tracking (WHOOP, biometric data)
Flight check-ins and travel management
Setup & Installation
Requirements:
Runtime: Node.js 22
Cost:
Software: Free (MIT licensed)
Hosting: ~$5/month on basic VPS
AI Model: Claude Pro ($20/month) or API costs
Quick Start:
Copy
npm install -g clawdbot@latest
clawdbot onboard --install-daemon
clawdbot gateway --port 18789 --verbose
The onboarding wizard walks you through:
Gateway setup
Workspace configuration
Channel connections
Skills installation
Recommended Models:
Anthropic Claude (Pro/Max with Opus 4.5) - Recommended
OpenAI (ChatGPT/Codex)
Supports any model via API
Technical Architecture
Messaging Apps (WhatsApp/Telegram/Slack/etc.)
↓
Gateway (Control Plane)
ws://127.0.0.1:18789
↓
Pi Agent (RPC Mode) + Tools
↓
Your Computer/Server
Key Components:
Gateway: WebSocket network for clients, tools, events
Agent: LLM-powered runtime with tool streaming
Sessions: Isolated contexts for different conversations
Skills: Installable capabilities and integrations
Nodes: Device-specific actions (camera, notifications, etc.)
Security & Privacy
Default Security:
DM Pairing Mode: Unknown senders must be approved
Sandbox Options: Run non-main sessions in Docker containers
Local Storage: All data stays on your machine
Optional Cloud: Only for model API calls
Safety Features:
Configurable allowlists for contacts
Tool permission controls
Group chat access policies
Optional Tailscale integration for remote access
Community & Support
GitHub: clawdbot/clawdbot (15K+ stars)
Discord: Active community server
Documentation: docs.clawd.bot
Skills Registry: ClawdHub.com
Created By:
Built by Peter Steinberger and an active open-source community
Why It Matters
According to early adopters and reviews:
"The first time I have felt like I am living in the future since the launch of ChatGPT." - User testimonial
"AI as teammate, not tool. The endgame of digital employees is here." - Community feedback
Clawdbot represents a fundamental shift in how we interact with AI:
From Cloud to Local: Full control and privacy
From App to Assistant: Lives in your existing workflows
From Static to Adaptive: Continuously learns and improves
From Limited to Limitless: Can do anything you can script
Getting Started Resources
Documentation: Getting Started Guide
Installation: Setup Instructions
Configuration: Full Config Reference
Showcase: Examples & Use Cases
Conclusion: Clawdbot is a glimpse into the future of personal AI assistants - open, hackable, privacy-focused, and incredibly powerful. While it requires technical setup, it offers unprecedented control and customization for users who want an AI that truly works for them.
