Clawdbot
"Clawd" puns on Claude, the AI model Steinberger used, and on a lobster's claw. The lobster mascot started here.
Retired Jan 27, 2026Clawdbot, Moltbot and OpenClaw: Name Changes Explained
Clawdbot, Moltbot and OpenClaw are the same open-source AI assistant. It changed its name twice in one week in January 2026. Here's what happened, why, and what it means if you're following an older tutorial.
Short answer
The project launched publicly as Clawdbot. On January 27, 2026 it became Moltbot after Anthropic raised concerns that the name was too close to Claude. Three days later, on January 30, it settled on OpenClaw, the name it uses today.
Updated
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Is it the same software?
Yes. Same code, same creator, same GitHub repository history. Only the name and branding changed.
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Do I need to reinstall?
No. Existing installs moved to the new folder automatically, and old commands keep working through compatibility shims.
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Do old guides still work?
Mostly. Swap clawdbot for openclaw in commands and paths, and check for newer settings.
Timeline
Five names in ten weeks
Before most people had heard of it, the project had already been renamed twice. Here is the full history.
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Warelay
Peter Steinberger starts the project as a relay that connects an AI assistant to WhatsApp.
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CLAWDIS
It grows beyond WhatsApp into a general assistant, built around "Clawd", Steinberger's lobster-themed personal AI whose name was a play on Claude.
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Clawdbot
The name most people first heard. Clawdbot goes viral on GitHub and becomes one of the fastest-growing open-source projects ever.
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Moltbot
Anthropic raises concerns that "Clawd" and "Claude" are too similar for two AI assistants. Steinberger renames the project Moltbot, because lobsters molt to grow.
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OpenClaw
Just three days later, the project settles on OpenClaw. In his announcement, Steinberger wrote that "the lobster has molted into its final form."
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OpenClaw Foundation
Steinberger joins OpenAI and the project moves to an independent non-profit foundation. The OpenClaw name stays.
What the names mean
Every name is a lobster joke
Moltbot
Lobsters shed their shell, or molt, to grow. The new name kept the lobster theme while dropping the name that sounded like Claude.
Retired Jan 30, 2026OpenClaw
"Open" for open source, "Claw" to keep the lobster. Short, easy to search, and checked for trademark conflicts before launch.
Current name
The Moltbot week
Why Moltbot lasted only 72 hours
The first rename happened fast, and the gap between old and new names was exploited within moments. The name also never caught on: it was hard to remember and hard to search for.
What went wrong
- Handles grabbedScammers took over abandoned Clawdbot social accounts during the switch.
- Fake crypto tokenA token using the Clawdbot name appeared on Solana and briefly hit a reported eight-figure market cap before collapsing. OpenClaw has never had a token.
- Look-alike reposTyposquat domains and cloned GitHub repositories appeared, some later updated with malicious code.
- Account hijackSteinberger faced harassment and his GitHub account was briefly hijacked.
What the OpenClaw rename did differently
- Trademark research firstThe name was checked before it was announced.
- Handles secured earlySocial accounts and domains were locked in before going public.
For existing users
What changed when Clawdbot became OpenClaw
If you installed Clawdbot or Moltbot, most things moved over for you. Use this table to update older tutorials and scripts.
| Item | Clawdbot era | Today (OpenClaw) | Action needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project name | Clawdbot / Moltbot | OpenClaw | None |
| CLI command | clawdbot … | openclaw … | Old commands still work through shims. Use openclaw in new scripts. |
| Data folder | ~/.clawdbot/ | ~/.openclaw/ | Moved automatically |
| Config file | Inside the old folder | ~/.openclaw/openclaw.json | Moved automatically |
| Install | Old package names | npm i -g openclaw | Use the new package for fresh installs |
| Website & code | Various | openclaw.ai, github.com/openclaw/openclaw | Update bookmarks |
Before any big update, back up your ~/.openclaw/ folder. Our update and backup guide shows how.
Avoid look-alikes
Only trust official sources
Three names means three times the room for impostors. Old Clawdbot and Moltbot names are still used by fake sites and scams.
Download only from official sources: openclaw.ai and github.com/openclaw/openclaw.
There is no OpenClaw coin or token. Anything sold under the Clawdbot, Moltbot or OpenClaw name is a scam.
Check repository names carefully. Clones with similar names have shipped malware.
Vet skills before installing. See our security guide.
FAQ
Name change questions
Are Clawdbot, Moltbot and OpenClaw the same thing?
Yes. They are three names for the same open-source AI assistant created by Peter Steinberger. Clawdbot was renamed Moltbot on January 27, 2026, and Moltbot was renamed OpenClaw on January 30, 2026.
Why was Clawdbot renamed?
Anthropic, the company behind Claude, raised concerns that "Clawd" sounded too similar to "Claude" for another AI assistant. The project was renamed Moltbot to avoid confusion.
Why did Moltbot change its name again?
Moltbot was hard to remember and hard to search for, and scammers exploited the rushed rename. Three days later the project chose OpenClaw, this time checking trademarks and securing accounts before announcing it.
What does OpenClaw mean?
"Open" stands for open source and "Claw" keeps the lobster theme that runs through every version of the name.
Is there a Clawdbot or OpenClaw crypto token?
No. OpenClaw has never issued a coin or token. A fake token using the Clawdbot name appeared during the rename and collapsed. Treat any token using these names as a scam.
Will my old Clawdbot setup still work?
Yes, in most cases. Your data moved to ~/.openclaw/ automatically and old commands still run through compatibility shims. Use the openclaw command for anything new.