Plugin compatibility - OpenClaw
The compatibility page announces that the August WhatsApp callback window is closed and details deprecations of legacy “untrusted” context identifiers with a cutoff on September 8, 2026. (docs.openclaw.ai)
Community Poll
OpenClaw FAQ — Quick Answers 8 questions
What is OpenClaw?
OpenClaw is an open-source AI agent platform that can autonomously operate your computer — browsing the web, running apps, managing files, and executing multi-step workflows on your behalf. It was originally released as "Clawdbot," later rebranded to Moltbot, and is now known as OpenClaw.
How do I install OpenClaw?
OpenClaw can be installed via npm (npm install -g openclaw), Docker, or by cloning the GitHub repo. See our full installation guide for step-by-step instructions on every platform.
Is OpenClaw free?
Yes. OpenClaw is fully open-source under the Apache 2.0 license. You can use, modify, and distribute it freely. Some cloud-hosted versions or premium ClawHub skills may have separate pricing.
Is OpenClaw safe to use?
OpenClaw grants broad system permissions by design, so caution is warranted. The project has integrated VirusTotal scanning for ClawHub skills, but security researchers continue to find malicious packages. Always review a skill's source, limit permissions, and keep OpenClaw updated. See our troubleshooting guide for security tips.
What are OpenClaw "skills"?
Skills are plugin-like extensions distributed via ClawHub that add new capabilities to your OpenClaw agent — like browsing the web, managing cloud infrastructure, or interacting with APIs. Think of them like npm packages but for agent actions.
What happened with OpenAI and OpenClaw?
In February 2026, OpenClaw creator Peter Steinberger joined OpenAI. OpenClaw remains open-source under a community foundation, and OpenAI has committed to keeping it that way. Read our timeline for details.
How does OpenClaw compare to alternatives?
OpenClaw competes with platforms like BitBuddies, Adept, and Moltbot/Emergent. Its key differentiators are the open-source model, the ClawHub skill ecosystem, and broad OS-level control. See our alternatives comparison.
Where can I learn more?
Check out our ELI5 explainer for a beginner-friendly overview, our usage & tutorials page for hands-on guides, and our glossary for key terms.
Latest OpenClaw News & Videos
Today’s top story: OpenClaw is reworking key security boundaries and has pushed its August release window. The migration focuses on isolating high-risk integrations and tightening least‑privilege access, with temporary disruptions possible for connectors like Profiles, Audio, and Telegram while changes roll out to hosted and self‑hosted users.
Plugin SDK migration - OpenClaw
The migration guide records August removals of SDK compatibility exports and instructs plugin authors to own channel config schemas and setup policy going forward. (docs.openclaw.ai)
Live Demo: OpenClaw’s New Web UI, Multiplayer OpenClaw, and Mac Onboarding
A maintainer-led live session showcased the rebuilt web UI, multiplayer mode, and a new Mac onboarding flow coming in the next release, with community chatter about the version jump from 7.2 to 8.1. (reddit.com)
Updating - OpenClaw
The install/update docs emphasize startup‑safe upgrade behavior and how the CLI persists channels, with notes on using the extended‑stable selector. (docs.openclaw.ai)
Another OpenClaw release update: Delayed
The team acknowledged a slip in the release timeline, noting ongoing polish and confirming that the upcoming train will enable Buzz by pairing with an existing Gateway. (reddit.com)
August 16, 2026
VIDEO
I Played with Clawdbot all Weekend - it's insane. - YouTube
- A candid weekend test drive that demos capabilities, highlights reliability limits, and shares configuration tips learned the hard way. (youtube.com)
Groq - OpenClaw
The provider manifest retains Groq model rows as hidden, deprecated compatibility entries through Groq’s August 16 shutdown, reflecting roster changes operators may notice. (docs.openclaw.ai)
August 15, 2026
VIDEO
63 insane ClawdBot use cases you need to do immediately! - YouTube
- A rapid‑fire idea list that showcases creative OpenClaw automations meant to spark experiments for both personal productivity and lightweight business ops. (youtube.com)
August 15, 2026
VIDEO
Clawdbot/OpenClaw Clearly Explained (and how to use it) - YouTube
- A plain‑English explainer that demystifies how OpenClaw works, when to use it, and a sensible starter approach for day‑one workflows. (youtube.com)
OpenClaw 2026.8.1-beta.1 is on npm, not in the docs | AgentRiot
A community blog flagged that 2026.8.1‑beta.1 appeared on npm while the curated documentation still tops out at 2026.7.1, pointing to a temporary lag between packaging and docs. (agentriot.com)
Update on the upcoming release
Maintainers said this cycle is longer than usual as they focus on reliability and make installs/upgrades easier, including a reworked data store for faster long‑running sessions. (reddit.com)
openclaw versions · openclaw · GitHub
The container registry shows 2026.7.2‑beta.7 images (browser and slim variants) published eight days ago, signaling continued pre‑release progress. (github.com)
OpenClaw Daily — SEN-X
A round‑up highlights a gym‑booking incident that surfaced gaps between goals and authorized methods while cataloging new ecosystem features and security guidance. (senx.ai)
openclaw versions · openclaw · GitHub
Beta.6 builds landed nine days ago across standard, slim, and browser flavors, advancing the 7.2 train toward release. (github.com)
Five OpenClaw Main Security Changes Need Operator Attention
A focused advisory outlines security‑boundary migrations and policy changes that may require configuration updates from operators. (openclaw.academy)
Three OpenClaw Main Boundary Fixes Protect Profiles, Audio and Telegram DMs
Recent merges ensure updates remain bound to the service owner’s profile, redact persisted audio before delivering authenticated history, and preserve Telegram DM tool restrictions across execution paths. (openclaw.academy)
OpenClaw 2026.6.34 Is the Extended-Stable Upgrade to Take
Operators are advised to move to 2026.6.34 on the extended‑stable channel, which rolls up security, delivery, provider, and local‑runtime hardening. (openclaw.academy)
🦞 OpenClaw Ecosystem Digest 2026-08-07 · Issue #2565 · duanyytop/agents-radar · GitHub
A community tracker recorded heavy issue and PR churn but no new releases that day, underscoring the lull before the next train. (github.com)
What Is OpenClaw?
OpenClaw is an open-source AI agent platform that can autonomously operate your computer — browsing the web, running apps, managing files, and executing multi-step workflows on your behalf. Originally released under a different name, OpenClaw has rapidly become one of the most talked-about projects in the AI-agent space thanks to its extensible "skill" system (distributed via ClawHub) and its ability to chain actions across local and cloud environments.
Why It Matters
- Autonomous agents are shipping now — OpenClaw puts real agentic AI in end-users' hands, not just demos.
- Security surface is expanding — community-contributed skills introduce supply-chain risks similar to npm/PyPI ecosystems.
- Rapid iteration — critical CVEs, VirusTotal integrations, and policy changes are landing weekly.
- Community-driven — thousands of third-party skills, forks, and integrations are being created by the community.
- Builder ecosystem — if you ship tools, APIs, or developer products, OpenClaw users are a fast-growing audience.
OpenClaw Timeline
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Late 2025
Clawdbot Is Born
Peter Steinberger releases Clawdbot, a personal AI-agent experiment that can control a desktop computer autonomously. The project garners early attention from the hacker community.
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December 2025
Rapid Popularity & Rebrand to Moltbot
Word-of-mouth spreads fast. The project rebrands to Moltbot as download counts surge. Developers start building third-party "skills" — plugin-like extensions that chain agent actions.
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January 2026
Moltbook Announced & OpenClaw Rebrand
A companion product, Moltbook, is teased for notebook-style agent workflows. Soon after, the entire project rebrands again to OpenClaw, emphasizing its open-source ethos and the new ClawHub skill marketplace.
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Late January 2026
Security Spotlight & CVEs
Critical vulnerabilities surface — including CVE-2026-25253 (one-click RCE via Control UI) — prompting rapid patches and VirusTotal integration for ClawHub skills. Security researchers begin auditing the ecosystem extensively.
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Early February 2026
Silicon Valley Acquisition Talks
Reports emerge that multiple Big Tech companies, including OpenAI and Google, are in discussions about acquiring or integrating OpenClaw. The AI-agent space heats up as competitors race to match OpenClaw's capabilities.
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February 15–16, 2026
OpenAI Agreement
OpenClaw creator Peter Steinberger joins OpenAI. Crucially, OpenClaw remains open-source under a community foundation — OpenAI commits to supporting, not acquiring, the project. The Verge, Financial Times, and Business Insider all cover the story.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Claw Report?
A news hub that aggregates the latest OpenClaw updates, security advisories, release notes, and community chatter. We focus on signal over hype.
Is The Claw Report affiliated with OpenClaw?
No. This is an independent publication. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the OpenClaw project or its maintainers.
What is ClawHub?
ClawHub is OpenClaw's community marketplace for "skills" — plugin-like extensions that add capabilities to the agent. Think of it like a package registry (npm, PyPI) but for agent actions.
Is OpenClaw safe to use?
OpenClaw grants broad system permissions by design. The project has integrated VirusTotal scanning for ClawHub skills, but security researchers continue to find malicious packages. Always review a skill's source, limit permissions, and keep OpenClaw updated.
How often is this page updated?
Content is refreshed periodically based on news flow. Check the "Last updated" timestamp at the top of the news section.
What was the CVE-2026-25253 vulnerability?
A critical remote-code-execution bug in OpenClaw's Control UI that allowed one-click token exfiltration via a malicious link. It was patched in v2026.1.29 (January 30, 2026). All users should update immediately.
Can I contribute or suggest content?
Not yet — we're a static v0 site. Future versions may accept community submissions. For now, all content is manually curated and reviewed before each update.
Where does the news data come from?
We aggregate recent coverage from major tech and security outlets, then compile it into a structured feed.