EXFOLIATE! EXFOLIATE!
` (then the sender is added to a local allowlist store).
- Public inbound DMs require an explicit opt-in: set `dmPolicy="open"` and include `"*"` in the channel allowlist (`allowFrom` / `channels.discord.allowFrom` / `channels.slack.allowFrom`; legacy: `channels.discord.dm.allowFrom`, `channels.slack.dm.allowFrom`).
Run `openclaw doctor` to surface risky/misconfigured DM policies.
## Highlights
- **[Local-first Gateway](https://docs.openclaw.ai/gateway)** — single control plane for sessions, channels, tools, and events.
- **[Multi-channel inbox](https://docs.openclaw.ai/channels)** — WhatsApp, Telegram, Slack, Discord, Google Chat, Signal, BlueBubbles (iMessage), iMessage (legacy), Microsoft Teams, Matrix, Zalo, Zalo Personal, WebChat, macOS, iOS/Android.
- **[Multi-agent routing](https://docs.openclaw.ai/gateway/configuration)** — route inbound channels/accounts/peers to isolated agents (workspaces + per-agent sessions).
- **[Voice Wake](https://docs.openclaw.ai/nodes/voicewake) + [Talk Mode](https://docs.openclaw.ai/nodes/talk)** — always-on speech for macOS/iOS/Android with ElevenLabs.
- **[Live Canvas](https://docs.openclaw.ai/platforms/mac/canvas)** — agent-driven visual workspace with [A2UI](https://docs.openclaw.ai/platforms/mac/canvas#canvas-a2ui).
- **[First-class tools](https://docs.openclaw.ai/tools)** — browser, canvas, nodes, cron, sessions, and Discord/Slack actions.
- **[Companion apps](https://docs.openclaw.ai/platforms/macos)** — macOS menu bar app + iOS/Android [nodes](https://docs.openclaw.ai/nodes).
- **[Onboarding](https://docs.openclaw.ai/start/wizard) + [skills](https://docs.openclaw.ai/tools/skills)** — wizard-driven setup with bundled/managed/workspace skills.
## Star History
[](https://www.star-history.com/#openclaw/openclaw&type=date&legend=top-left)
## Everything we built so far
### Core platform
- [Gateway WS control plane](https://docs.openclaw.ai/gateway) with sessions, presence, config, cron, webhooks, [Control UI](https://docs.openclaw.ai/web), and [Canvas host](https://docs.openclaw.ai/platforms/mac/canvas#canvas-a2ui).
- [CLI surface](https://docs.openclaw.ai/tools/agent-send): gateway, agent, send, [wizard](https://docs.openclaw.ai/start/wizard), and [doctor](https://docs.openclaw.ai/gateway/doctor).
- [Pi agent runtime](https://docs.openclaw.ai/concepts/agent) in RPC mode with tool streaming and block streaming.
- [Session model](https://docs.openclaw.ai/concepts/session): `main` for direct chats, group isolation, activation modes, queue modes, reply-back. Group rules: [Groups](https://docs.openclaw.ai/concepts/groups).
- [Media pipeline](https://docs.openclaw.ai/nodes/images): images/audio/video, transcription hooks, size caps, temp file lifecycle. Audio details: [Audio](https://docs.openclaw.ai/nodes/audio).
### Channels
- [Channels](https://docs.openclaw.ai/channels): [WhatsApp](https://docs.openclaw.ai/channels/whatsapp) (Baileys), [Telegram](https://docs.openclaw.ai/channels/telegram) (grammY), [Slack](https://docs.openclaw.ai/channels/slack) (Bolt), [Discord](https://docs.openclaw.ai/channels/discord) (discord.js), [Google Chat](https://docs.openclaw.ai/channels/googlechat) (Chat API), [Signal](https://docs.openclaw.ai/channels/signal) (signal-cli), [BlueBubbles](https://docs.openclaw.ai/channels/bluebubbles) (iMessage, recommended), [iMessage](https://docs.openclaw.ai/channels/imessage) (legacy imsg), [Microsoft Teams](https://docs.openclaw.ai/channels/msteams) (extension), [Matrix](https://docs.openclaw.ai/channels/matrix) (extension), [Zalo](https://docs.openclaw.ai/channels/zalo) (extension), [Zalo Personal](https://docs.openclaw.ai/channels/zalouser) (extension), [WebChat](https://docs.openclaw.ai/web/webchat).
- [Group routing](https://docs.openclaw.ai/concepts/group-messages): mention gating, reply tags, per-channel chunking and routing. Channel rules: [Channels](https://docs.openclaw.ai/channels).
### Apps + nodes
- [macOS app](https://docs.openclaw.ai/platforms/macos): menu bar control plane, [Voice Wake](https://docs.openclaw.ai/nodes/voicewake)/PTT, [Talk Mode](https://docs.openclaw.ai/nodes/talk) overlay, [WebChat](https://docs.openclaw.ai/web/webchat), debug tools, [remote gateway](https://docs.openclaw.ai/gateway/remote) control.
- [iOS node](https://docs.openclaw.ai/platforms/ios): [Canvas](https://docs.openclaw.ai/platforms/mac/canvas), [Voice Wake](https://docs.openclaw.ai/nodes/voicewake), [Talk Mode](https://docs.openclaw.ai/nodes/talk), camera, screen recording, Bonjour pairing.
- [Android node](https://docs.openclaw.ai/platforms/android): [Canvas](https://docs.openclaw.ai/platforms/mac/canvas), [Talk Mode](https://docs.openclaw.ai/nodes/talk), camera, screen recording, optional SMS.
- [macOS node mode](https://docs.openclaw.ai/nodes): system.run/notify + canvas/camera exposure.
### Tools + automation
- [Browser control](https://docs.openclaw.ai/tools/browser): dedicated openclaw Chrome/Chromium, snapshots, actions, uploads, profiles.
- [Canvas](https://docs.openclaw.ai/platforms/mac/canvas): [A2UI](https://docs.openclaw.ai/platforms/mac/canvas#canvas-a2ui) push/reset, eval, snapshot.
- [Nodes](https://docs.openclaw.ai/nodes): camera snap/clip, screen record, [location.get](https://docs.openclaw.ai/nodes/location-command), notifications.
- [Cron + wakeups](https://docs.openclaw.ai/automation/cron-jobs); [webhooks](https://docs.openclaw.ai/automation/webhook); [Gmail Pub/Sub](https://docs.openclaw.ai/automation/gmail-pubsub).
- [Skills platform](https://docs.openclaw.ai/tools/skills): bundled, managed, and workspace skills with install gating + UI.
### Runtime + safety
- [Channel routing](https://docs.openclaw.ai/concepts/channel-routing), [retry policy](https://docs.openclaw.ai/concepts/retry), and [streaming/chunking](https://docs.openclaw.ai/concepts/streaming).
- [Presence](https://docs.openclaw.ai/concepts/presence), [typing indicators](https://docs.openclaw.ai/concepts/typing-indicators), and [usage tracking](https://docs.openclaw.ai/concepts/usage-tracking).
- [Models](https://docs.openclaw.ai/concepts/models), [model failover](https://docs.openclaw.ai/concepts/model-failover), and [session pruning](https://docs.openclaw.ai/concepts/session-pruning).
- [Security](https://docs.openclaw.ai/gateway/security) and [troubleshooting](https://docs.openclaw.ai/channels/troubleshooting).
### Ops + packaging
- [Control UI](https://docs.openclaw.ai/web) + [WebChat](https://docs.openclaw.ai/web/webchat) served directly from the Gateway.
- [Tailscale Serve/Funnel](https://docs.openclaw.ai/gateway/tailscale) or [SSH tunnels](https://docs.openclaw.ai/gateway/remote) with token/password auth.
- [Nix mode](https://docs.openclaw.ai/install/nix) for declarative config; [Docker](https://docs.openclaw.ai/install/docker)-based installs.
- [Doctor](https://docs.openclaw.ai/gateway/doctor) migrations, [logging](https://docs.openclaw.ai/logging).
## How it works (short)
```
WhatsApp / Telegram / Slack / Discord / Google Chat / Signal / iMessage / BlueBubbles / Microsoft Teams / Matrix / Zalo / Zalo Personal / WebChat
│
▼
┌───────────────────────────────┐
│ Gateway │
│ (control plane) │
│ ws://127.0.0.1:18789 │
└──────────────┬────────────────┘
│
├─ Pi agent (RPC)
├─ CLI (openclaw …)
├─ WebChat UI
├─ macOS app
└─ iOS / Android nodes
```
## Key subsystems
- **[Gateway WebSocket network](https://docs.openclaw.ai/concepts/architecture)** — single WS control plane for clients, tools, and events (plus ops: [Gateway runbook](https://docs.openclaw.ai/gateway)).
- **[Tailscale exposure](https://docs.openclaw.ai/gateway/tailscale)** — Serve/Funnel for the Gateway dashboard + WS (remote access: [Remote](https://docs.openclaw.ai/gateway/remote)).
- **[Browser control](https://docs.openclaw.ai/tools/browser)** — openclaw‑managed Chrome/Chromium with CDP control.
- **[Canvas + A2UI](https://docs.openclaw.ai/platforms/mac/canvas)** — agent‑driven visual workspace (A2UI host: [Canvas/A2UI](https://docs.openclaw.ai/platforms/mac/canvas#canvas-a2ui)).
- **[Voice Wake](https://docs.openclaw.ai/nodes/voicewake) + [Talk Mode](https://docs.openclaw.ai/nodes/talk)** — always‑on speech and continuous conversation.
- **[Nodes](https://docs.openclaw.ai/nodes)** — Canvas, camera snap/clip, screen record, `location.get`, notifications, plus macOS‑only `system.run`/`system.notify`.
## Tailscale access (Gateway dashboard)
OpenClaw can auto-configure Tailscale **Serve** (tailnet-only) or **Funnel** (public) while the Gateway stays bound to loopback. Configure `gateway.tailscale.mode`:
- `off`: no Tailscale automation (default).
- `serve`: tailnet-only HTTPS via `tailscale serve` (uses Tailscale identity headers by default).
- `funnel`: public HTTPS via `tailscale funnel` (requires shared password auth).
Notes:
- `gateway.bind` must stay `loopback` when Serve/Funnel is enabled (OpenClaw enforces this).
- Serve can be forced to require a password by setting `gateway.auth.mode: "password"` or `gateway.auth.allowTailscale: false`.
- Funnel refuses to start unless `gateway.auth.mode: "password"` is set.
- Optional: `gateway.tailscale.resetOnExit` to undo Serve/Funnel on shutdown.
Details: [Tailscale guide](https://docs.openclaw.ai/gateway/tailscale) · [Web surfaces](https://docs.openclaw.ai/web)
## Remote Gateway (Linux is great)
It’s perfectly fine to run the Gateway on a small Linux instance. Clients (macOS app, CLI, WebChat) can connect over **Tailscale Serve/Funnel** or **SSH tunnels**, and you can still pair device nodes (macOS/iOS/Android) to execute device‑local actions when needed.
- **Gateway host** runs the exec tool and channel connections by default.
- **Device nodes** run device‑local actions (`system.run`, camera, screen recording, notifications) via `node.invoke`.
In short: exec runs where the Gateway lives; device actions run where the device lives.
Details: [Remote access](https://docs.openclaw.ai/gateway/remote) · [Nodes](https://docs.openclaw.ai/nodes) · [Security](https://docs.openclaw.ai/gateway/security)
## macOS permissions via the Gateway protocol
The macOS app can run in **node mode** and advertises its capabilities + permission map over the Gateway WebSocket (`node.list` / `node.describe`). Clients can then execute local actions via `node.invoke`:
- `system.run` runs a local command and returns stdout/stderr/exit code; set `needsScreenRecording: true` to require screen-recording permission (otherwise you’ll get `PERMISSION_MISSING`).
- `system.notify` posts a user notification and fails if notifications are denied.
- `canvas.*`, `camera.*`, `screen.record`, and `location.get` are also routed via `node.invoke` and follow TCC permission status.
Elevated bash (host permissions) is separate from macOS TCC:
- Use `/elevated on|off` to toggle per‑session elevated access when enabled + allowlisted.
- Gateway persists the per‑session toggle via `sessions.patch` (WS method) alongside `thinkingLevel`, `verboseLevel`, `model`, `sendPolicy`, and `groupActivation`.
Details: [Nodes](https://docs.openclaw.ai/nodes) · [macOS app](https://docs.openclaw.ai/platforms/macos) · [Gateway protocol](https://docs.openclaw.ai/concepts/architecture)
## Agent to Agent (sessions\_\* tools)
- Use these to coordinate work across sessions without jumping between chat surfaces.
- `sessions_list` — discover active sessions (agents) and their metadata.
- `sessions_history` — fetch transcript logs for a session.
- `sessions_send` — message another session; optional reply‑back ping‑pong + announce step (`REPLY_SKIP`, `ANNOUNCE_SKIP`).
Details: [Session tools](https://docs.openclaw.ai/concepts/session-tool)
## Skills registry (ClawHub)
ClawHub is a minimal skill registry. With ClawHub enabled, the agent can search for skills automatically and pull in new ones as needed.
[ClawHub](https://clawhub.com)
## Chat commands
Send these in WhatsApp/Telegram/Slack/Google Chat/Microsoft Teams/WebChat (group commands are owner-only):
- `/status` — compact session status (model + tokens, cost when available)
- `/new` or `/reset` — reset the session
- `/compact` — compact session context (summary)
- `/think ` — off|minimal|low|medium|high|xhigh (GPT-5.2 + Codex models only)
- `/verbose on|off`
- `/usage off|tokens|full` — per-response usage footer
- `/restart` — restart the gateway (owner-only in groups)
- `/activation mention|always` — group activation toggle (groups only)
## Apps (optional)
The Gateway alone delivers a great experience. All apps are optional and add extra features.
If you plan to build/run companion apps, follow the platform runbooks below.
### macOS (OpenClaw.app) (optional)
- Menu bar control for the Gateway and health.
- Voice Wake + push-to-talk overlay.
- WebChat + debug tools.
- Remote gateway control over SSH.
Note: signed builds required for macOS permissions to stick across rebuilds (see `docs/mac/permissions.md`).
### iOS node (optional)
- Pairs as a node via the Bridge.
- Voice trigger forwarding + Canvas surface.
- Controlled via `openclaw nodes …`.
Runbook: [iOS connect](https://docs.openclaw.ai/platforms/ios).
### Android node (optional)
- Pairs via the same Bridge + pairing flow as iOS.
- Exposes Canvas, Camera, and Screen capture commands.
- Runbook: [Android connect](https://docs.openclaw.ai/platforms/android).
## Agent workspace + skills
- Workspace root: `~/.openclaw/workspace` (configurable via `agents.defaults.workspace`).
- Injected prompt files: `AGENTS.md`, `SOUL.md`, `TOOLS.md`.
- Skills: `~/.openclaw/workspace/skills//SKILL.md`.
## Configuration
Minimal `~/.openclaw/openclaw.json` (model + defaults):
```json5
{
agent: {
model: "anthropic/claude-opus-4-6",
},
}
```
[Full configuration reference (all keys + examples).](https://docs.openclaw.ai/gateway/configuration)
## Security model (important)
- **Default:** tools run on the host for the **main** session, so the agent has full access when it’s just you.
- **Group/channel safety:** set `agents.defaults.sandbox.mode: "non-main"` to run **non‑main sessions** (groups/channels) inside per‑session Docker sandboxes; bash then runs in Docker for those sessions.
- **Sandbox defaults:** allowlist `bash`, `process`, `read`, `write`, `edit`, `sessions_list`, `sessions_history`, `sessions_send`, `sessions_spawn`; denylist `browser`, `canvas`, `nodes`, `cron`, `discord`, `gateway`.
Details: [Security guide](https://docs.openclaw.ai/gateway/security) · [Docker + sandboxing](https://docs.openclaw.ai/install/docker) · [Sandbox config](https://docs.openclaw.ai/gateway/configuration)
### [WhatsApp](https://docs.openclaw.ai/channels/whatsapp)
- Link the device: `pnpm openclaw channels login` (stores creds in `~/.openclaw/credentials`).
- Allowlist who can talk to the assistant via `channels.whatsapp.allowFrom`.
- If `channels.whatsapp.groups` is set, it becomes a group allowlist; include `"*"` to allow all.
### [Telegram](https://docs.openclaw.ai/channels/telegram)
- Set `TELEGRAM_BOT_TOKEN` or `channels.telegram.botToken` (env wins).
- Optional: set `channels.telegram.groups` (with `channels.telegram.groups."*".requireMention`); when set, it is a group allowlist (include `"*"` to allow all). Also `channels.telegram.allowFrom` or `channels.telegram.webhookUrl` + `channels.telegram.webhookSecret` as needed.
```json5
{
channels: {
telegram: {
botToken: "123456:ABCDEF",
},
},
}
```
### [Slack](https://docs.openclaw.ai/channels/slack)
- Set `SLACK_BOT_TOKEN` + `SLACK_APP_TOKEN` (or `channels.slack.botToken` + `channels.slack.appToken`).
### [Discord](https://docs.openclaw.ai/channels/discord)
- Set `DISCORD_BOT_TOKEN` or `channels.discord.token` (env wins).
- Optional: set `commands.native`, `commands.text`, or `commands.useAccessGroups`, plus `channels.discord.allowFrom`, `channels.discord.guilds`, or `channels.discord.mediaMaxMb` as needed.
```json5
{
channels: {
discord: {
token: "1234abcd",
},
},
}
```
### [Signal](https://docs.openclaw.ai/channels/signal)
- Requires `signal-cli` and a `channels.signal` config section.
### [BlueBubbles (iMessage)](https://docs.openclaw.ai/channels/bluebubbles)
- **Recommended** iMessage integration.
- Configure `channels.bluebubbles.serverUrl` + `channels.bluebubbles.password` and a webhook (`channels.bluebubbles.webhookPath`).
- The BlueBubbles server runs on macOS; the Gateway can run on macOS or elsewhere.
### [iMessage (legacy)](https://docs.openclaw.ai/channels/imessage)
- Legacy macOS-only integration via `imsg` (Messages must be signed in).
- If `channels.imessage.groups` is set, it becomes a group allowlist; include `"*"` to allow all.
### [Microsoft Teams](https://docs.openclaw.ai/channels/msteams)
- Configure a Teams app + Bot Framework, then add a `msteams` config section.
- Allowlist who can talk via `msteams.allowFrom`; group access via `msteams.groupAllowFrom` or `msteams.groupPolicy: "open"`.
### [WebChat](https://docs.openclaw.ai/web/webchat)
- Uses the Gateway WebSocket; no separate WebChat port/config.
Browser control (optional):
```json5
{
browser: {
enabled: true,
color: "#FF4500",
},
}
```
## Docs
Use these when you’re past the onboarding flow and want the deeper reference.
- [Start with the docs index for navigation and “what’s where.”](https://docs.openclaw.ai)
- [Read the architecture overview for the gateway + protocol model.](https://docs.openclaw.ai/concepts/architecture)
- [Use the full configuration reference when you need every key and example.](https://docs.openclaw.ai/gateway/configuration)
- [Run the Gateway by the book with the operational runbook.](https://docs.openclaw.ai/gateway)
- [Learn how the Control UI/Web surfaces work and how to expose them safely.](https://docs.openclaw.ai/web)
- [Understand remote access over SSH tunnels or tailnets.](https://docs.openclaw.ai/gateway/remote)
- [Follow the onboarding wizard flow for a guided setup.](https://docs.openclaw.ai/start/wizard)
- [Wire external triggers via the webhook surface.](https://docs.openclaw.ai/automation/webhook)
- [Set up Gmail Pub/Sub triggers.](https://docs.openclaw.ai/automation/gmail-pubsub)
- [Learn the macOS menu bar companion details.](https://docs.openclaw.ai/platforms/mac/menu-bar)
- [Platform guides: Windows (WSL2)](https://docs.openclaw.ai/platforms/windows), [Linux](https://docs.openclaw.ai/platforms/linux), [macOS](https://docs.openclaw.ai/platforms/macos), [iOS](https://docs.openclaw.ai/platforms/ios), [Android](https://docs.openclaw.ai/platforms/android)
- [Debug common failures with the troubleshooting guide.](https://docs.openclaw.ai/channels/troubleshooting)
- [Review security guidance before exposing anything.](https://docs.openclaw.ai/gateway/security)
## Advanced docs (discovery + control)
- [Discovery + transports](https://docs.openclaw.ai/gateway/discovery)
- [Bonjour/mDNS](https://docs.openclaw.ai/gateway/bonjour)
- [Gateway pairing](https://docs.openclaw.ai/gateway/pairing)
- [Remote gateway README](https://docs.openclaw.ai/gateway/remote-gateway-readme)
- [Control UI](https://docs.openclaw.ai/web/control-ui)
- [Dashboard](https://docs.openclaw.ai/web/dashboard)
## Operations & troubleshooting
- [Health checks](https://docs.openclaw.ai/gateway/health)
- [Gateway lock](https://docs.openclaw.ai/gateway/gateway-lock)
- [Background process](https://docs.openclaw.ai/gateway/background-process)
- [Browser troubleshooting (Linux)](https://docs.openclaw.ai/tools/browser-linux-troubleshooting)
- [Logging](https://docs.openclaw.ai/logging)
## Deep dives
- [Agent loop](https://docs.openclaw.ai/concepts/agent-loop)
- [Presence](https://docs.openclaw.ai/concepts/presence)
- [TypeBox schemas](https://docs.openclaw.ai/concepts/typebox)
- [RPC adapters](https://docs.openclaw.ai/reference/rpc)
- [Queue](https://docs.openclaw.ai/concepts/queue)
## Workspace & skills
- [Skills config](https://docs.openclaw.ai/tools/skills-config)
- [Default AGENTS](https://docs.openclaw.ai/reference/AGENTS.default)
- [Templates: AGENTS](https://docs.openclaw.ai/reference/templates/AGENTS)
- [Templates: BOOTSTRAP](https://docs.openclaw.ai/reference/templates/BOOTSTRAP)
- [Templates: IDENTITY](https://docs.openclaw.ai/reference/templates/IDENTITY)
- [Templates: SOUL](https://docs.openclaw.ai/reference/templates/SOUL)
- [Templates: TOOLS](https://docs.openclaw.ai/reference/templates/TOOLS)
- [Templates: USER](https://docs.openclaw.ai/reference/templates/USER)
## Platform internals
- [macOS dev setup](https://docs.openclaw.ai/platforms/mac/dev-setup)
- [macOS menu bar](https://docs.openclaw.ai/platforms/mac/menu-bar)
- [macOS voice wake](https://docs.openclaw.ai/platforms/mac/voicewake)
- [iOS node](https://docs.openclaw.ai/platforms/ios)
- [Android node](https://docs.openclaw.ai/platforms/android)
- [Windows (WSL2)](https://docs.openclaw.ai/platforms/windows)
- [Linux app](https://docs.openclaw.ai/platforms/linux)
## Email hooks (Gmail)
- [docs.openclaw.ai/gmail-pubsub](https://docs.openclaw.ai/automation/gmail-pubsub)
## Molty
OpenClaw was built for **Molty**, a space lobster AI assistant. 🦞
by Peter Steinberger and the community.
- [openclaw.ai](https://openclaw.ai)
- [soul.md](https://soul.md)
- [steipete.me](https://steipete.me)
- [@openclaw](https://x.com/openclaw)
## Community
See [CONTRIBUTING.md](CONTRIBUTING.md) for guidelines, maintainers, and how to submit PRs.
AI/vibe-coded PRs welcome! 🤖
Special thanks to [Mario Zechner](https://mariozechner.at/) for his support and for
[pi-mono](https://github.com/badlogic/pi-mono).
Special thanks to Adam Doppelt for lobster.bot.
Thanks to all clawtributors:
![clawdinator[bot]](https://avatars.githubusercontent.com/in/2607181?v=4&s=48 "clawdinator[bot]")
![google-labs-jules[bot]](https://avatars.githubusercontent.com/in/842251?v=4&s=48 "google-labs-jules[bot]")
