Note: The tool mentioned in this article, formerly known by various names including Clawdbot and Cloudbot, 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.
In January 2026, a new AI assistant named OpenClaw (formerly Clawdbot) exploded across the internet. A quick search on YouTube reveals dozens of articles published on January 25th alone, all dissecting this new phenomenon. The conversation is just as fervent on Twitter, with users showcasing OpenClaw running on Mac Minis, managing invoices, and even organizing emails.
But what’s behind all the hype? Why has this particular AI assistant captured everyone’s attention?
The Promise of Local Execution
Unlike previous assistants that were limited or entirely cloud-based, OpenClaw’s main appeal is that it runs locally on your own machine. This created such a surge in demand that Mac Minis were reportedly sold out in several locations. The promise is simple yet powerful: complete data privacy and 24/7 accessibility through common messaging apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, iMessage, Discord, and Slack. With over 50 integrations available, the potential is immense, all while running securely in your own environment.
A New Kind of Security Risk
However, “local” does not automatically mean “secure.” While your data isn’t being sent to OpenAI or Google servers for storage—which is a huge win for privacy—a new risk emerges. The agent has access to everything on your machine. If OpenClaw has a bug or an “hallucination,” it could accidentally send your private keys or personal photos to a WhatsApp contact it was never intended for.
The risk shifts from mass surveillance to targeted, accidental data leaks. It’s a critical distinction to understand before you begin.
Getting Started with OpenClaw Installation
Fortunately, installing OpenClaw is incredibly straightforward. The official guide is well-crafted and simplifies the process down to a single command.
For macOS or Linux, you can run the following script in your terminal:
curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash
For Windows, a PowerShell equivalent is provided on the official website.
The installer will check for necessary dependencies like Node.js and Git. If you don’t have Node.js, you can easily download it from the official website and follow its installation guide.
During the setup, the installer will present a security disclaimer, echoing the risks mentioned earlier. The documentation provides a comprehensive section on security, and once installed, you can run a powerful command to check your setup:
openclaw security-audit --deep --autofix
This command allows the agent to self-diagnose and even correct potential security vulnerabilities, which is a fantastic feature. After acknowledging the security warning, you can proceed with the “quickstart” mode.
Initial Configuration
1. Connect to an LLM Provider
OpenClaw supports nearly all major LLM providers. The general consensus is that Anthropic’s Opus 4.5 model offers the best performance for OpenClaw’s use cases. You’ll need to connect your account by providing an API token.
2. Configure Communication Channels
After setting up the LLM, you’ll see the status of all available channels: Google Chat, Discord, Slack, WhatsApp, Telegram, and more. Initially, none are configured.
For security, the documentation recommends using a separate phone with a dedicated SIM card if you plan to use WhatsApp. For a secure and straightforward start, Telegram is arguably the best option.
To set it up, you’ll use Telegram’s BotFather:
- Open a chat with
@BotFatherin Telegram. - Run the
/newbotcommand. - Give your bot a name (e.g.,
CloudMinax). - Choose a unique username (e.g.,
MyCloudMinaxBot). BotFatherwill provide you with a token. Copy it.
Back in your terminal, paste the token when prompted by the OpenClaw setup.
3. Install Skills
Next, the setup will ask if you want to configure “skills,” which are competencies the agent can use to perform tasks. You can install dependencies for various skills, such as 1Password for secure password management. For this initial setup, you can skip this step. We’ll stick to the default options to get things running as quickly as possible.
The installer will then set up the necessary services to run OpenClaw autonomously.
Defining Your Agent’s Identity
Once the installation is complete and the agent is running, you can open the web interface (typically at http://localhost:18789) to monitor its behavior.
Your first conversation with OpenClaw is crucial, as it defines its identity and personality. The agent will ask you to clarify who it is and who you are. This information is stored locally in an identity.md file, giving your agent a persistent memory.
Here is an example of an initial conversation:
OpenClaw: Hello, I'm just coming online. Refresh my memory, who am I and who are you?
You: You are CloudMinax. I am antiminax.
OpenClaw: Got it. What's my vibe?
You: You are warm and calm. Please speak in French. My timezone is Europe/Paris. I am a content creator working on web development topics for YouTube.
The more information you provide, the more personalized and effective the agent becomes. It learns about you over time, constantly improving its knowledge and capabilities.
Advanced Security: Containerization with Docker
For those who want an even higher level of security, OpenClaw can be run using Docker. This approach containerizes the agent, meaning its actions are executed in an isolated environment. Instead of running directly on your machine, it operates within a secure sandbox. While still local, this prevents the agent from accessing or affecting your host system, dramatically reducing the risk of accidental data leaks. For more details, the official documentation provides a complete guide on setting up OpenClaw with Docker.
Always remember to run the security audit command whenever you change your configuration or add new channels to ensure your setup remains as secure as possible.
openclaw security-audit --deep
Even if the tool can’t automatically fix an issue, like a missing reverse proxy, it provides invaluable warnings to help you maintain a maximal level of security.