Note: The tool mentioned in this article, formerly known by various names including Clawdbot and Moltbot, has been rebranded to OpenClaw. This article has been updated to reflect the new name and installation instructions. For the latest information, please visit the official website: openclaw.ai.
The popular AI agent, once known as Clawdbot and then Moltbot, has a new name: OpenClaw.
If you’re a user of the tool, you’re likely asking two questions: Why all the changes? And what does this mean for me? This article will explain the history of the rebranding, its consequences for your existing installations, and highlight critical security risks that have emerged during the tool’s rise in popularity.
Why the Sudden Changes?
The first rebrand from Clawdbot to Moltbot was due to a trademark issue. The original name was strikingly similar to another well-known product in the AI space, which likely created friction and necessitated the change.
The latest rebrand to OpenClaw appears to be a move toward a more stable, community-focused identity, reflected in its new home at openclaw.ai. While it’s great that the same powerful tool continues to evolve, these changes have significant implications.
What This Means for Your Existing Installations
When a software product is rebranded, it’s not just the logo that changes. Code relies on strings and identifiers. A global rebranding is complex because the underlying technology is deeply dependent on pre-set variables.
You can imagine that the original code used “Clawdbot” and later “Moltbot” as variables extensively. Simply replacing every instance would break countless configurations and environment variables. This is precisely the case here. Your setup relies on tons of these variables.
To illustrate, if you inspect the official OpenClaw installation script, you’ll find that the old names are far from gone.
# Searching for old names in the new installation script
$ grep -c "Clawdbot" install.sh
# The command would likely reveal a significant number of references
$ grep -c "Moltbot" install.sh
# This would also likely show many references
Even though the tool is now OpenClaw, the old names will continue to exist in the shadows of the code. This is a critical point to understand.
Navigating the Confusion
This lingering presence of old names creates a high potential for confusion.
First, users are accustomed to the previous names. The sudden appearance of OpenClaw introduces another layer of uncertainty. Second, third-party integrations, tutorials, and community servers are branded with the old names. When they switch to OpenClaw—or fail to—things may break.
This will especially impact non-technical users. If you’re just getting started, you’ll still be relying on Clawdbot and Moltbot in the background. Trying to use openclaw for variable names while the underlying code expects an old name will lead to a messy, frustrating experience. This creates a temporary but significant compatibility friction.
A Critical Warning: Security Risks on the Rise
The hype surrounding this tool has unfortunately attracted malicious actors. Manual verification and research have become more important than ever. You must find trusted sources of information.
One of the biggest issues is basic server security. Many users, eager to get started, purchase their own servers but fail to protect the server ports. This means anyone with a bit of technical knowledge can find and access these servers from anywhere on the internet. The security risk of having your data randomly accessible to strangers cannot be overstated.
Beyond open ports, crypto scams have also emerged. People are attempting to farm money by launching fake coins marketed to unsuspecting users. Relying on valuable and trusted sources is paramount.
How to Protect Yourself
The security risks aren’t limited to scams. Here are some of the most common threats and how to avoid them:
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Fake Repositories and Forks: When you install the tool, do it from the official site:
openclaw.ai. The last thing you want is to install code from an untrusted source. Remember, you are executing code created by someone else on your own computer. You are trusting them not to install malware or other software designed to steal your information. -
Malicious Install Commands: The same principle applies to installation commands. The official OpenClaw installation process runs a script that executes a large amount of code on your computer. While the official script is trusted, a script from a fake source could contain anything. Every single line is a potential risk factor.
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Typosquatting and Fake Domains: The name “OpenClaw” is simple, but it’s easy to misspell. Malicious actors can purchase domains with similar spellings and redirect the traffic to a malicious site. Clicking on these links or downloading files from them could cause real harm to your computer.
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Telegram and Other Scams: Since OpenClaw can be connected via Telegram, scammers are creating their own fake bots and channels. Be extremely wary of these. Always refer to the official pages and follow official manuals when setting up integrations.
The Future of OpenClaw
Despite the confusion, the hype around this tool is not over, and for good reason. It has incredible potential. It’s a powerful platform that can be leveraged to build multi-agent frameworks with different workspaces, memories, and contexts for each agent. The possibilities are immense.
I will continue to simplify its developments so you can understand what’s going on. If you want to be part of that journey, I highly recommend following this publication.
A Final Piece of Advice
This situation serves as a crucial reminder: always do your research before installing something. More importantly, as we integrate AI into our workflows, we must incentivize it to provide responses that respect and prioritize security. Be vigilant, stay informed, and protect your systems.