What is Clawdbot AI?
Clawdbot AI is an open-source personal AI assistant developed by Peter Steinberger. Unlike cloud-based AI assistants, Clawdbot runs locally on your devices (Mac, Windows, Linux) and integrates with the chat apps you already use daily.
With over 11,000 GitHub stars, Clawdbot has become one of the most popular open-source AI assistant projects. Its tagline says it all: "The AI that actually does things."
Why Clawdbot is Different
Local-First Privacy
Clawdbot runs entirely on your machine. Your data never leaves your device unless you explicitly choose to share it. This is a fundamental difference from cloud-based assistants like ChatGPT or Claude.ai.
Chat App Integration
Instead of requiring you to use a separate app, Clawdbot meets you where you already chat:
- WhatsApp - Chat with your AI from your phone
- Telegram - Full bot integration
- Discord - Server and DM support
- Slack - Workspace integration
- Signal - Privacy-focused messaging
- iMessage - Native Apple integration
Real System Access
Clawdbot isn't just a chatbot. It can:
- Browse the web - Navigate websites, fill forms, extract data
- Manage files - Read, write, and organize files on your computer
- Run commands - Execute shell commands and scripts
- Automate tasks - Set up cron jobs and background automation
How to Install Clawdbot
Installing Clawdbot is simple. The quickest method is the one-line installer:
curl -fsSL https://clawd.bot/install.sh | bashOr install via npm:
npm i -g clawdbot
clawdbot onboard --install-daemonClawdbot vs Claude Cowork
Many users ask how Clawdbot compares to Claude Cowork (Anthropic's official AI agent). Here's a quick comparison:
| Feature | Clawdbot | Claude Cowork |
|---|---|---|
| License | MIT (Open Source) | Proprietary |
| Runs Locally | Yes | No (Cloud-based) |
| Chat Integration | WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, etc. | Standalone app |
| Price | Free (API costs only) | Subscription required |
| Customization | Full source access | Limited |
Supported AI Models
Clawdbot supports multiple AI providers:
- Anthropic Claude - Recommended for best performance
- OpenAI GPT - GPT-4 and other models
- Local Models - Run completely offline
The project recommends using Anthropic Pro/Max with Opus 4.5 for the best experience.
Use Cases
Clawdbot users have built amazing automations:
- Shopping automation - Auto-order groceries from Tesco
- Code review - Automated PR reviews via Telegram
- Home automation - Control smart home devices
- Personal assistant - Calendar management, reminders
- Development - Build iOS apps entirely via chat
Getting Started
- Install Clawdbot using the command above
- Run
clawdbot onboardto configure your AI provider - Connect your preferred chat platform
- Start chatting with your personal AI assistant
Conclusion
Clawdbot represents a new paradigm in AI assistants: open-source, privacy-focused, and truly capable. Whether you're a developer looking to automate workflows or a power user wanting AI assistance on your terms, Clawdbot is worth exploring.
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