Clawdbot AI is becoming popular with users who want more independence, control and privacy. Rather than running a cloud – based chatbot, Clawdbot specifically connects to the apps you make use of on your own personal PC. Based on practical hands – on and example testing, this guide is designed for you. It describes what Clawdbot AI is, exactly how the Clawdbot App functions, how you can install Clawdbot and more.
What is Clawdbot AI ?
Clawdbot AI is a self hosted AI tech assistant created to run locally rather than inside a browser or proprietary dashboard. You communicate with it via chat platforms such as Telegram, or Slack, Discord, making it feel as if a genuine assistant as opposed to a tool.
Clawd AI is additionally a phrase that is used. It is an alternate or legacy name which is generally linked to the very same ecosystem. The truth is, the names Clawdbot AI and Clawd AI relate to the exact same project and are frequently interchanged.
Key capabilities include:
- Persistent memory across conversations
- Action-based responses, not just text replies
- Full control over data and configuration
Key Features of Clawdbot AI
One of the main reasons Clawdbot AI stands out from traditional chatbots is its feature set. Instead of being limited to simple questions–answer responses, Clawdbot functions like a real personal assistant that can adapt to your workflow.
Here are the most important features of Clawdbot AI explained clearly:
1. Self-Hosted & Privacy-Focused
Unlike cloud-based AI tools, Clawdbot AI runs on your own system. This means:
- Your conversations are not stored on third-party dashboards
- You have full control over data and configuration
- Better privacy compared to browser-based AI chat tools
This makes Clawdbot especially attractive for developers, professionals, and privacy-conscious users.
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2. Messaging App Integration
The Clawdbot App connects directly to popular messaging platforms such as:
- Telegram
- Discord
- Slack
- WhatsApp (advanced setup)
You interact with Clawdbot exactly like a normal chat contact, making how to use Clawdbot intuitive even for non-technical users.
3. Persistent Memory & Context Awareness
Clawdbot AI can remember:
- Previous conversations
- User preferences
- Ongoing tasks and instructions
This persistent memory allows Clawdbot to provide more relevant and personalized responses over time, unlike stateless chatbots.
4. Action-Based AI Assistant
Clawdbot doesn’t just respond—it can take actions.
Examples include:
- Summarizing documents
- Drafting content
- Creating reminders
- Automating simple workflows
This transforms Clawdbot AI from a chatbot into a functional assistant.
5. Flexible AI Model Support
With Clawd AI / Clawdbot AI, you can connect different AI models depending on your needs. This flexibility allows you to balance:
- Performance
- Cost
- Response quality
You are not locked into a single provider, which is a big advantage over closed AI platforms.
6. Lightweight & Developer-Friendly
The Clawdbot App uses a command-line interface and simple configuration files, making it:
- Easy to customize
- Lightweight on system resources
- Suitable for advanced automation setups
Developers can extend Clawdbot’s functionality without complex frameworks.
7. Background Service Support
Once installed, Clawdbot can run as a background service, meaning:
- No need to manually restart it
- Always available in connected chat apps
- Ideal for daily productivity workflows
This feature is especially useful for long-term use.
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8. Cross-Platform Compatibility
Clawdbot AI works on:
- macOS
- Linux
- Windows (via WSL2 or Docker)
This ensures flexibility regardless of your operating system.
How the Clawdbot App Works?
The Clawdbot App isn’t a traditional mobile app you download from an app store. Instead, it’s a combination of:
- A local backend that runs on your machine
- A command-line interface (CLI) for setup and control
- Integrations with chat platforms
- Configuration files that store memory and preferences
Clawdbot will then connect to the messaging app of your choice once it’s up and running. From there, you talk to it like you would a human: ask questions, request summaries or even provide instructions.
This particular setting enables Clawdbot AI to feel more personal and persistent compared to browser-based chatbots.
Requirements Before Installing Clawdbot
Before learning how to install Clawdbot, make sure you have the following:
- A computer running macOS, Linux, or Windows
- Basic familiarity with using a terminal or command prompt
- A stable internet connection
- An API key for the AI model you plan to use
- A messaging app account (Telegram is the easiest to start with)
Windows users typically install Clawdbot using WSL2 (Windows Subsystem for Linux) or Docker.
How to Install Clawdbot ?
This section explains how to install Clawdbot step by step on different operating systems, including macOS, Linux, and Windows. The installation process mainly uses the official installer script, which handles most requirements automatically.
1. Install Clawdbot on macOS and Linux
On macOS and Linux, installing Clawdbot AI is simple using the official install script.
Open your terminal and run:
curl -fsSL https://clawd.bot/install.sh | bash
This command automatically:
- Detects your operating system
- Checks and installs required dependencies (including Node.js, if needed)
- Installs the Clawdbot CLI globally
- Sets up the basic environment for the Clawdbot App
Once the installation finishes, verify that Clawdbot is installed correctly by running:
clawdbot –version
If the version number appears, Clawdbot has been installed successfully.
2. Install Clawdbot on Windows (Using WSL2)
For Windows users, Clawdbot works best with WSL2 (Windows Subsystem for Linux). Native Windows installation is not recommended due to compatibility issues.
Follow these steps:
- Enable and install WSL2 on Windows
- Install a Linux distribution (Ubuntu is recommended)
- Open the Linux terminal from WSL
- Run the same installation command used for macOS and Linux:
curl -fsSL https://clawd.bot/install.sh | bash
Using WSL2 allows Clawdbot AI to run smoothly on Windows without errors.
3. Alternative Installation Methods (Docker / npm)
If you prefer a containerized or package-based setup, there are alternative ways to install Clawdbot.
Install Clawdbot Using npm
If you already have Node.js installed, you can install Clawdbot globally using npm:
npm install -g clawdbot@latest
After installation, verify it with:
clawdbot –version
Install Clawdbot Using Docker
Docker is recommended for:
- Server deployments
- Long-running Clawdbot instances
- Users who want better isolation and stability
Running Clawdbot in Docker is ideal if you plan to keep it active 24/7 or deploy it in a production-like environment.
How to Use Clawdbot After Installation
Once installation is complete, the next step is learning how to use Clawdbot.
Start the onboarding process with:
clawdbot onboard –install-daemon
This setup wizard will guide you through:
- Adding your AI model API key
- Choosing default settings
- Enabling background services
After onboarding, Clawdbot runs quietly in the background, ready to receive messages.
Connecting Clawdbot to Messaging Apps
To actually interact with Clawdbot AI, you need to connect it to a chat platform.
Popular options include:
- Telegram (best for beginners)
- Discord
- Slack
- WhatsApp (more advanced setup)
Telegram is the easiest starting point. You create a bot using BotFather, copy the token, and paste it into Clawdbot’s configuration file.
Once connected, you can chat with Clawdbot as if it were a normal contact. This is where the Clawdbot App truly comes alive.
FAQs
Is Clawdbot free?
Clawdbot is actually free and open-source. Depending on which provider you choose, you may need to pay for the AI model API which Clawdbot uses.
What are the features of Clawdbot AI?
Clawdbot AI offers several powerful features, including:
- Self-hosted setup for better privacy
- Integration with messaging apps like Telegram and Discord
- Persistent memory and context awareness
- Action-based assistance (summaries, drafts, reminders)
- Flexible support for different AI models
These features make Clawdbot more than a basic chatbot.
How does Clawdbot work?
Clawdbot works by running locally on your system and connecting to a messaging app. Once installed, it processes your messages using an AI model and replies directly inside the chat app, just like a personal assistant.
What can Clawdbot do?
Clawdbot can help with:
- Writing and editing content
- Answering questions and research
- Summarizing documents or messages
- Creating reminders and task notes
- Automating simple workflows
Its abilities improve as it remembers context and preferences.
Who made Clawdbot?
Clawdbot was created by an open-source community of developers focused on building a self-hosted personal AI assistant. The project continues to grow through community contributions and user feedback.
