ClawdBot is an AI tool that connects chat apps like Slack, Discord, and Telegram with AI models from Anthropic (Claude) and OpenAI. It simplifies AI interactions through a WebSocket-based Gateway, enabling features like web searches, running code, and creating specialized bots for tasks like work or personal use. Here’s how to get started:
- System Requirements: Node.js 22+, macOS/Linux (or WSL2 for Windows), 2GB memory, and tools like
pnpmandGit. - API Setup: Get API keys from Anthropic or OpenAI and configure them using the
moltbot onboardcommand. - Install ClawdBot: Use
curl,npm, or Homebrew to install ClawdBot globally. - Connect Platforms: Set up accounts on Telegram, Discord, or WhatsApp and link them to ClawdBot.
- Verify Setup: Use commands like
clawdbot healthorclawdbot statusto ensure everything is functioning.
ClawdBot also supports advanced configurations like enabling web searches and creating multiple agents for different tasks. Follow the steps to set up and test your system for seamless AI integration.
ClawdBot Setup Process: 5 Steps from Installation to Testing
Prerequisites for Setting Up ClawdBot
Hardware and Software Requirements
Before diving in, make sure your system meets the necessary specifications. You'll need Node.js version 22 or higher installed on your machine. ClawdBot is designed to run on macOS and Linux, while Windows users should rely on WSL2 with Ubuntu for compatibility.
Your system should have at least 2GB of memory. For uninterrupted operation, consider using a dedicated device, like a Mac Mini, that can run 24/7. Additionally, you'll need pnpm as the package manager if you're building from source, and Git if you plan to clone the repository directly.
For Windows users, enabling systemd in /etc/wsl.conf is crucial to ensure the gateway service runs smoothly.
Once your system is set up, you're ready to move on to securing the required API credentials.
Getting an API Key
To function, ClawdBot requires an API key for authenticating with AI model providers such as Anthropic (Claude) or OpenAI. This key ensures your bot can generate responses. If you're using Anthropic, you can obtain an API key via the Anthropic Console. Alternatively, if you're already using the Claude Code CLI, simply run:
claude setup-token
Paste the token generated into ClawdBot's setup wizard.
The setup wizard, initiated with the command moltbot onboard, will help you input your API key. This key is stored securely in ~/.clawdbot/moltbot.json or a local .env file. If you want your bot to perform web searches, you'll also need a Brave Search API key, which you can configure using:
moltbot configure --section web
.
Creating Chat Platform Accounts
To interact with your bot, you'll need an account on at least one messaging platform. Telegram is a beginner-friendly option - it's free, stable, and takes about five minutes to set up. On Telegram, search for "@BotFather", use the /newbot command, and follow the steps to generate your bot token.
For Discord, you'll need to create a bot application in the Discord Developer Portal to receive a bot token. If you're using WhatsApp, you can link your account by scanning a QR code through the "Linked Devices" feature in the mobile app. To generate the QR code, run:
moltbot channels login
in your terminal.
How to Install ClawdBot
Installing ClawdBot
To get started with ClawdBot, you can install it using one of the following methods:
-
Using curl:
Run this command in your terminal:curl -fsSL https://clawd.bot/install.sh | bash -
Using npm:
If you prefer npm, use:npm install -g clawdbot@latest -
Using Homebrew (macOS/Linux):
For macOS or Linux users with Homebrew installed:brew install clawdbot/tap/clawdbot
These methods install ClawdBot globally, so you can access it from any terminal window. Make sure you have Node.js (version 22 or higher) installed before proceeding.
Note for Windows users: ClawdBot requires WSL2 with Ubuntu due to compatibility limitations.
Running the Configuration Wizard
Once ClawdBot is installed, launch the configuration wizard by running:
clawdbot onboard --install-daemon
This wizard will guide you through the setup process. You can select QuickStart for default settings or Advanced if you want more control. During the setup, you'll:
- Enter your API key (from Anthropic or OpenAI)
- Choose a workspace directory (default:
~/clawd) - Select chat platforms to connect
- Enable the background daemon service
The --install-daemon flag sets up ClawdBot as a background service. On macOS, it uses LaunchAgent; on Linux and WSL2, it uses systemd. For Linux systems, the wizard also enables "lingering" with:
loginctl enable-linger
This ensures the bot stays active even after you log out. To adjust settings later, use:
clawdbot configure
Or target specific sections like:
clawdbot configure --section channels.discord
For automated setups, use:
clawdbot onboard --non-interactive
and include the necessary flags for your configuration.
Setting Up Discord Integration
Once the configuration wizard is complete, you can integrate ClawdBot with Discord for real-time messaging. Follow these steps:
- Go to the Discord Developer Portal and create a new application by clicking "New Application". Name your application.
- Navigate to the Bot section in the sidebar and generate your Bot Token. Make sure to copy it.
- Under Privileged Gateway Intents, enable "Message Content Intent" to allow your bot to read message text.
- Use the OAuth2 URL Generator to create an invite link:
- Select the
botandapplications.commandsscopes. - Assign permissions like
Send Messages,Read Message History, andEmbed Links.
- Select the
Use the generated URL to invite your bot to your Discord server. During onboarding, select "Discord (Bot API)" and paste your Bot Token. If onboarding is already complete, configure Discord with:
clawdbot configure --section channels.discord
To verify everything is working, run:
clawdbot health
or
clawdbot status
These commands check the gateway and channel connections. For added security, when someone first DMs your bot, it will send a pairing code. Approve it using:
clawdbot pairing approve <channel> <code>
This ensures only authorized users can interact with your bot.
Verifying and Testing the Setup
Verification Commands
Once you've installed and configured ClawdBot, it's time to ensure everything is running smoothly. Start by using clawdbot status. This command gives you a quick overview of the system's status, including gateway connectivity and active agents.
For a more in-depth look, try clawdbot health, which provides a real-time snapshot of the gateway's health. If you want even more detailed diagnostics, include the --deep flag to perform live probes on providers and channels, ensuring everything is functioning properly.
If you encounter issues, clawdbot doctor --fix can scan for and resolve common problems. To specifically check the background service, use clawdbot gateway status. This command shows the supervisor's state (such as launchd on macOS or systemd on Linux/WSL2), the runtime PID, and any recent errors.
Need to share diagnostics for support? clawdbot status --all generates a redacted report that you can share when creating a support ticket. For real-time troubleshooting, use clawdbot logs --follow to stream live logs and monitor activity as messages are processed.
Testing ClawdBot
Once you've verified ClawdBot's health, it’s time to test its interactive features. On Discord, you can tag the bot with @ClawdBot or use the /status command to confirm it's receiving and responding to messages. Be sure that the "Message Content Intent" option is enabled in the Discord Developer Portal, as outlined during setup.
For platforms like WhatsApp or Telegram, check for pending pairing requests with clawdbot pairing list <channel>. Approve these requests using clawdbot pairing approve <channel> <code>. If you're testing on your personal WhatsApp, set selfChatMode: true in the configuration to avoid issues with self-messaging.
If you'd prefer to test without connecting to external platforms, use clawdbot message send --target <ID> --message "Test" to verify outbound messaging capabilities. If the bot receives messages but doesn’t respond, run clawdbot models status to ensure your API keys are valid and active. For group chats, double-check your mention patterns - messages that don’t match the expected format might be ignored by the bot.
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Troubleshooting Common Issues
Windows WSL2 Recommendations
To install ClawdBot on Windows, it's best to do so within WSL2 (Ubuntu is a solid choice). This ensures the availability of systemd, which is necessary for running the Gateway service as a background daemon. To enable systemd, add [boot] systemd=true to your /etc/wsl.conf file. After installation, run the command sudo loginctl enable-linger $USER to keep the Gateway running, even after you close your terminal session.
Want to access ClawdBot from other devices on your network? Use the following PowerShell command (run as Administrator):
netsh interface portproxy add v4tov4
This forwards the Windows host port to your internal WSL2 IP address, effectively bridging the gap and making the Gateway accessible from other machines.
If you still encounter issues, move on to resolving API key or channel connection problems.
Fixing API Key Errors
Seeing "No API key found" or authentication errors? Start by running moltbot models status to check your provider configurations. If a key is missing or invalid, use the command moltbot models auth add to launch an interactive wizard for adding or updating credentials. For stable background daemon operations, direct API keys are recommended.
API keys are stored in ~/.clawdbot/agents/<agentId>/agent/auth-profiles.json. Alternatively, you can reference environment variables in your moltbot.json file using the ${VAR_NAME} syntax. If errors persist, try running moltbot models status --probe to perform live tests against your configured providers. This helps identify issues like expired or rate-limited keys.
For rate limit errors (HTTP 429), your key is still valid but has hit its quota. Use moltbot status --usage to get a snapshot of your current API usage. After updating your keys, re-run the status commands to confirm everything is working.
Fixing Channel Connection Failures
Connection problems often come down to permissions or configuration issues. For Discord, ensure the "Message Content Intent" is enabled in the Discord Developer Portal. Without it, the bot won't receive message data, even if it’s connected. On Telegram, you’ll need to disable "Privacy Mode" via @BotFather or promote the bot to group administrator status to allow it to see group messages.
If ClawdBot isn’t responding to direct messages, check for pending pairing requests by running moltbot pairing list <channel>. Approve them with moltbot pairing approve <channel> <code>. For WhatsApp users testing on personal accounts, set selfChatMode: true in your configuration to bypass self-messaging restrictions.
The runtime you use can also matter. Avoid using Bun for WhatsApp or Telegram integrations, as there are known compatibility issues. Instead, stick with Node.js version 22 or higher. If problems persist, stream live logs with moltbot logs --follow to pinpoint the error, or run moltbot channels status --probe to audit channel connectivity.
Configuring Proxies
For those using Node.js 22 or higher, make sure you're running a build that normalizes AbortSignal instances to prevent fetch requests from being aborted too early. Proxy settings should be properly configured in your config.yaml file.
If you're dealing with IPv6 connectivity issues - especially with Telegram - check if api.telegram.org is being resolved to an unreachable IPv6 address. Adding a rule in your /etc/hosts file to force IPv4 resolution usually fixes this.
The Gateway's default port is 18789. If connections are failing, confirm that no other service is using this port by running:
lsof -nP -iTCP:18789 -sTCP:LISTEN.
Clawdbot: Complete Beginner Guide! (2026)
Conclusion and Next Steps
Now that your ClawdBot system is up and running, it’s time to reflect on the essentials and explore ways to unlock its full potential.
From navigating the onboarding wizard (moltbot onboard) to resolving issues with API keys and channel connections, you’ve successfully set up ClawdBot to fit your workflow. The system retains your preferences locally and evolves alongside your habits, ensuring a more tailored experience over time. As Nikhil from Neural Notions aptly explains:
"Your assistant doesn't 'reset' every day - it learns how you work and adapts over time".
Key Takeaways
- Use the CLI onboarding wizard for tasks like model authentication, gateway setup, and channel configuration.
- Keep critical files, such as
~/clawdand~/.clawdbot/moltbot.json, outside the primary repository to maintain customizations during updates. - Default security measures, like pairing approvals for direct messages, ensure that only authorized users can interact with your bot.
Unlocking Advanced Features
Once you’re comfortable with the basics, dive into ClawdBot’s advanced tools to streamline your workflow further. For instance:
- Enable web search by setting up a Brave Search API key (
moltbot configure --section web), allowing the bot to perform real-time research. - Create separate agents for distinct contexts - like "work" and "personal" - using
moltbot agents add <name>to keep tasks organized. - Experiment with building custom Skills or scheduling cron jobs for tasks like morning briefings or periodic reminders.
Staying Updated
To keep ClawdBot - or Moltbot, as it was renamed in January 2026 - running smoothly, staying current is essential. The project has gained significant traction, boasting over 40,000 stars on GitHub and more than 565 community-built skills.
- Install the
auto-updaterskill to ensure the bot and all installed skills are updated daily. - Run
moltbot doctorafter updates to identify and resolve any potential service issues. - For source-based installations, perform a monthly
git pullfollowed bypnpm installto keep dependencies aligned. - Use the
/clearcommand periodically to reset conversation context and avoid token bloat.
For the latest updates and best practices, check out AIapps.com.
FAQs
How do I get and secure API keys for ClawdBot?
If you're looking for detailed instructions on obtaining and securing API keys for ClawdBot, they aren't currently provided. However, you can still take steps to protect your API keys effectively. Here are some general tips:
- Store keys securely: Use a secure environment, such as environment variables or a secrets management tool, to keep your keys safe.
- Avoid public exposure: Never share your API keys in public forums, code repositories, or anywhere they might be accessed by unauthorized users.
- Rotate keys regularly: If possible, update your keys periodically to minimize security risks.
For more specific instructions or help, it's best to consult ClawdBot's official documentation or reach out to their support team.
What should I do if ClawdBot isn’t responding on Discord?
If ClawdBot isn’t responding on Discord, the first step is to double-check its setup. Make sure you’ve followed all the necessary steps, such as creating the bot, setting up its permissions, and inviting it to your server.
Here’s what to verify:
- Permissions: Confirm that the bot has the required permissions in your Discord server to function properly.
- Status: Ensure the bot is online and actively connected to your server.
- Configuration: Double-check your API keys and configuration settings to ensure they’re correct.
Still having trouble? Refer to the official ClawdBot documentation for troubleshooting advice. These resources often address common issues and can help you pinpoint and solve the problem.
What advanced features can I use in ClawdBot after completing the basic setup?
After setting up ClawdBot, you’ll gain access to a range of advanced features that allow you to fine-tune its functionality to match your needs. For instance, you can adjust the agent workspace to create a more organized and user-friendly experience. Additionally, the settings menu lets you customize workflows and integrations, making it easier to align ClawdBot with your specific tasks.
The onboarding wizard is another great tool to explore. It helps you dive into advanced setup options and integrate ClawdBot into environments built for scaling, making it easier to expand its capabilities as your needs grow.
Take the time to explore these features thoroughly. This ensures ClawdBot is set up to meet your goals effectively and efficiently.
