OpenClaw LogoOpenClaw
Back to Guides
AnnouncementsJanuary 28, 20254 min read

Clawdbot is now OpenClaw: What Happened and How to Migrate (2026 Guide)

Important rebranding announcement: Clawdbot is now OpenClaw. Learn what changed, how to update your installation, and why this matters for your AI assistant setup.

Important: If you're seeing this, you likely knew us as "Clawdbot" (or briefly as "Moltbot"). We've rebranded to OpenClaw to better reflect our core mission—100% open source, community-driven, privacy-first AI. This guide explains everything you need to know about the transition.


The Rebrand Journey: Clawdbot → Moltbot → OpenClaw

Over the past year, our project has evolved rapidly:

  • Clawdbot: The original name that started it all
  • Moltbot: A brief transition as we explored new branding directions
  • OpenClaw: Our final, permanent home

Why the changes? Trademark considerations and the need for a name that truly represents what we stand for. "OpenClaw" isn't just a name—it's a statement about our values: transparency, openness, and community ownership.


Why OpenClaw? The "Open" Matters

The new name emphasizes what makes this project unique:

1. 100% Local & Private

Your data never leaves your hardware. No cloud processing, no telemetry, no data mining. OpenClaw runs entirely on your Mac mini M4, Raspberry Pi 5, or Linux server.

2. Community-Driven

Built by the community, for the community. Every skill, integration, and optimization comes from real users solving real problems.

3. Open Source

Free forever. No subscriptions, no premium tiers, no hidden costs. Your only investment is the hardware you choose.


Migration Guide: Update Your Installation

Migrating to OpenClaw (formerly Clawdbot) is straightforward. The core technology remains identical—all your skills, configurations, and automations work exactly as before.

Step 1: Uninstall the Old Binary

# If you have the old clawdbot or moltbot CLI installed
sudo rm -rf /usr/local/bin/clawdbot
sudo rm -rf /usr/local/bin/moltbot

Step 2: Install OpenClaw

For Mac mini M4 (Apple Silicon):

curl -sSL https://get.openclaw.org/install | bash

For Raspberry Pi 5 & 4:

curl -sSL https://get.openclaw.org/install | bash

For Linux (Ubuntu/Debian):

curl -sSL https://get.openclaw.org/install | bash

Step 3: Verify Your Installation

openclaw --version

You should see:

OpenClaw v1.0.0 - The Open Source AI OS

Step 4: Restart the Service

# Mac/Linux
sudo systemctl restart openclaw

# Or if using the launch script
./openclaw start

What Stays the Same?

The migration to OpenClaw (formerly Clawdbot) preserves everything you love:

✅ Hardware Optimizations

  • Raspberry Pi 5: 24/7 low-power AI gateway with zero monthly fees
  • Mac mini M4: Maximized 38 TOPS Neural Engine for private, high-speed local AI
  • Raspberry Pi 4: Full compatibility maintained for existing users

✅ All 338+ Skills Work Unchanged

Your existing skills, integrations, and MCP servers continue working without modification:

  • Telegram Gateway
  • Browser Automation
  • Voice Assistant
  • Home Assistant Integration
  • Calendar Sync
  • And 330+ more

✅ Configuration Files

Your config.yaml, skills library, and personal settings are fully compatible. No manual updates required.


URL & Repository Changes

Old New
github.com/clawdbot/clawdbot github.com/openclaw/openclaw
getclawdbot.org getopenclaw.org (redirects in place)
@clawdbot/cli @openclaw/cli

Note: Old URLs will automatically redirect to the new OpenClaw domains, so existing bookmarks and links continue working.


SEO & Discovery: Finding Us Online

If you're searching for guides, you might still see references to "Clawdbot" in search results. Rest assured—OpenClaw (formerly Clawdbot) delivers the same powerful AI OS with a clearer brand identity.

Common search terms that lead here:

  • "Clawdbot Raspberry Pi 5 setup"
  • "Moltbot Mac mini M4 guide"
  • "Clawdbot skills and automations"

All now point to OpenClaw, your one-stop source for private, local AI.


Community & Support

The community remains our strongest asset. Join thousands of users running OpenClaw on:

Questions? The community has answers. Migration issues? We've solved them all.


The Bottom Line

OpenClaw (formerly Clawdbot) represents the same powerful, privacy-first AI OS—now with a name that matches our mission.

  • Same tech: All your skills, configs, and automations work unchanged
  • Same hardware: Raspberry Pi 5 and Mac mini M4 optimizations intact
  • Same community: 338+ skills and counting
  • Better brand: A name that truly represents openness and transparency

Ready to migrate? Run the install command and join thousands of users running the future of private AI.


Last updated: January 2026 Migration support: OpenClaw Documentation

Share this guide:
More Guides