What is OpenClaw?

OpenClaw is a free, open-source autonomous AI agent that runs on your own computer and connects to large language models to carry out real-world digital tasks for you. Instead of being just a chatbot, it acts as a long-running service that can read and write files, run scripts, execute shell commands, and control other apps or web browsers when you grant permission. You interact with OpenClaw mainly through messaging platforms like Signal, Telegram, Discord, or WhatsApp, where it appears as a chat contact able to automate workflows, manage calendars, and respond with context over time. Its popularity surged in early 2026 alongside the Moltbook project.