What is Moltbot?
Moltbot is an open-source, self-hosted AI personal assistant that can actually take actions on your behalf.
The AI That Actually Does Things
Unlike traditional AI chatbots that only respond to questions, Moltbot is an agentic AI - a system that can take actions automatically. Imagine if Claude could actually execute tasks on your computer: installing software, running scripts, managing files, monitoring websites, sending emails - all triggered by simple text commands.
Created by developer Peter Steinberger, Moltbot runs on your own hardware (Mac Mini, VPS, or home server) and can be controlled through messaging apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, or Slack.
🦞 From Clawdbot to Moltbot
On January 27, 2026, the project was renamed from Clawdbot to Moltbot after Anthropic raised trademark concerns about the name "Clawd" being too similar to their AI model "Claude".
Steinberger embraced the change, noting: "Anthropic asked us to change our name (trademark stuff), and honestly? 'Molt' fits perfectly — it's what lobsters do to grow."
The lobster mascot (🦞) remains, symbolizing the project's ability to shed its old shell and grow into something new.
Key Features
Self-Hosted & Private
Run on your own hardware. Your data never leaves your infrastructure.
Multi-Platform Messaging
Control via WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, Slack, iMessage, and more.
Persistent Memory
Remembers context across conversations - days, months, even years.
Extensible Skills
Add capabilities with simple Markdown files. No coding required.
Flexible AI Backend
Use Claude, GPT-4, Gemini, or run free with local Ollama models.
Browser Automation
Can control a web browser to fill forms, scrape data, and more.
How It Works
Install Moltbot on Your Server
Run on a Mac Mini, cheap VPS ($5/mo), or any machine with Docker.
Connect Your AI Provider
Add your API key for Claude, GPT-4, or use Ollama for free local AI.
Link Your Messaging Apps
Connect WhatsApp, Telegram, Slack, or other platforms.
Chat & Automate
Send messages to your bot and watch it handle tasks for you.
⚠️ Security Considerations
Moltbot requires deep access to your computer to function - including the ability to read/write files, run commands, and control browsers. This power comes with risks:
- Never expose your Moltbot dashboard to the public internet
- Use strong authentication and API key management
- Run on isolated machines when possible
- Regularly review conversation logs and actions taken
- Keep your installation updated
Ready to Get Started?
Install Moltbot in minutes and start automating your life.