OpenClaw is an open-source, local-first personal AI assistant you run on your own devices. A single gateway routes 25+ messaging channels to isolated agents, with voice wake, a live canvas, and a skills system.
What OpenClaw is
OpenClaw is a personal AI assistant that runs on your devices and meets you in the chat apps you already use. It connects models, tools, channels, and apps through a local Gateway that keeps your data close.
Key features
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Local Gateway - control plane for sessions, tools, and events on your machine.
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Multiple interfaces - control UI, CLI, and TUI.
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Many channels - WhatsApp, Telegram, Slack, Discord, Google Chat, Signal, iMessage.
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Companion apps - voice, Canvas, camera, screen, and device actions.
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Hosted and local models - bring your own provider.
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Extensible tools, skills, and plugins.
Install
curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash
Or via npm for Node 22.22.3+, 24.15+, or 25.9+:
npm install -g openclaw@latest
Use case
OpenClaw is best for personal use where privacy and device-first operation matter. It is less about team collaboration and more about having a single assistant across all your chats and devices.
License
MIT, from the OpenClaw Foundation.
Honest caveat
The breadth of channels and companion apps is impressive, but the local-first setup can be fiddly. Expect to spend time on permissions, model setup, and plugin configuration.