ClawdBot AI: Your Personal AI Assistant

The open-source AI agent that runs on your machine, connects to your favorite apps, and keeps your data private.

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📋 Table of Contents

What is ClawdBot?

ClawdBot is an open-source personal AI assistant designed to run locally on your computer or server. Unlike cloud-based AI services like ChatGPT or Claude Web, ClawdBot gives you complete control over your data and AI interactions.

Created by Peter Steinberger (founder of PSPDFKit), ClawdBot transforms large language models (LLMs) into a powerful, always-available AI agent that can:

  • ✅ Run on your own hardware (Mac, Windows, Linux)
  • ✅ Connect to messaging apps (WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, Slack, iMessage)
  • ✅ Remember your preferences with persistent memory
  • ✅ Control your browser and automate web tasks
  • ✅ Execute system commands and scripts
  • ✅ Extend with custom skills and plugins

Think of ClawdBot as your private AI butler that lives on your machine, not in someone else's cloud.

🚀 Key Features of ClawdBot AI

🖥️

Runs Locally

Install on macOS, Windows (WSL2), or Linux. Your data never leaves your machine unless you explicitly allow it.

💬

Multi-Platform Messaging

Talk to your AI through WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, Slack, Signal, or iMessage. Works in DMs and group chats.

🧠

Persistent Memory

ClawdBot remembers your conversations, preferences, and context. It becomes uniquely yours over time.

🌐

Browser Control

Automate web browsing, fill forms, extract data, and interact with websites like a human would.

⚙️

System Access

Read/write files, run shell commands, execute scripts. Full access or sandboxed mode - your choice.

🔌

Skills & Plugins

Extend functionality with community skills from ClawdHub or build your own custom tools.

⚡ How ClawdBot Works

ClawdBot operates through a Gateway architecture that connects three core components:

1. The Gateway (Core Engine)

A Node.js-based server that runs on your machine, managing all connections and routing messages between your messaging apps and AI models.

2. AI Models (The Brain)

ClawdBot supports multiple AI providers:

  • Anthropic Claude (Recommended: Claude 3.5 Sonnet for best performance)
  • OpenAI (GPT-4, GPT-4 Turbo)
  • Google Gemini (Cost-effective alternative)
  • Local Models via Ollama (100% free, offline capable)

3. Channels (Your Interface)

Connect ClawdBot to your favorite messaging platforms. Each platform becomes a "channel" through which you can interact with your AI.

# Example: Basic ClawdBot Architecture
User (Telegram) → Gateway → Claude API → Gateway → User (Telegram)
                     ↓
                  Memory Storage (Local Files)
                     ↓
                  Skills & Tools

💡 Real-World Use Cases

For Developers

  • Code review and debugging assistance via Discord
  • Automated documentation generation
  • Git workflow automation

For Content Creators

  • Research and fact-checking through browser automation
  • Social media content scheduling
  • SEO keyword research

For Personal Productivity

  • Smart reminders and briefings via WhatsApp
  • Email summarization and drafting
  • Meeting notes and action item extraction

For Home Automation

  • Run ClawdBot on a Mac Mini as a home server
  • Control smart home devices via voice commands
  • Automated monitoring and alerts

🔍 ClawdBot vs. Other AI Assistants

Feature ClawdBot ChatGPT Claude Web
Runs Locally ✅ Yes ❌ No ❌ No
Data Privacy ✅ Full Control ⚠️ Cloud-based ⚠️ Cloud-based
Messaging Integration ✅ 10+ platforms ❌ Web only ❌ Web only
Browser Control ✅ Yes ❌ No ❌ No
System Commands ✅ Yes ❌ No ❌ No
Open Source ✅ Yes ❌ No ❌ No
Cost Free (API costs apply) $20/month $20/month

🎯 Getting Started with ClawdBot

Ready to set up your own personal AI assistant? Here's what you need:

System Requirements

  • Operating System: macOS, Windows 10/11 (with WSL2), or Linux
  • Node.js: Version 22 or later
  • RAM: Minimum 4GB (8GB+ recommended)
  • Storage: 2GB free space

Quick Installation

# Install ClawdBot globally
npm install -g clawdbot@latest

# Run the onboarding wizard
clawdbot onboard

For detailed platform-specific instructions, check out our comprehensive guides:

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Is ClawdBot really free?
Yes, ClawdBot itself is completely free and open-source. However, you'll need API keys from AI providers (like Anthropic's Claude or OpenAI), which have their own pricing. Alternatively, you can use local models via Ollama for completely free operation.
Do I need coding skills to use ClawdBot?
Basic command-line knowledge is helpful for installation, but the onboarding wizard guides you through the setup process. Once installed, you interact with ClawdBot through normal chat messages - no coding required.
Can I use ClawdBot on a Raspberry Pi?
While technically possible, it's not recommended due to performance constraints. A Mac Mini, old laptop, or cloud server (like AWS EC2) are better options for 24/7 operation.
How is my data stored?
All conversation history and memory are stored locally on your machine as Markdown files in the ~/.clawdbot/ directory. You have complete control and can delete or export this data anytime.
Which AI model should I use?
The ClawdBot team recommends Claude 3.5 Sonnet for the best balance of performance, context window, and prompt injection resistance. For budget-conscious users, Gemini Flash or local Ollama models are great alternatives.

📚 Related Guides