A comprehensive guide to the open-source AI agent frameworks known collectively as "The Claw Family."
Visit the microsite: https://ccagentorg.github.io/claw-family/
The site features:
- Auto-updating GitHub stats via GitHub API
- Animated infographics visualizing comparisons
- Quick start guides for each framework
- Security advisories with real incident documentation
| Framework | Stars | Language | Size | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OpenClaw | 211,406 ⭐ | TypeScript | 208 MB | Full-featured personal AI |
| PicoClaw | 16,338 ⭐ | Go | 17 MB | Running on $10 hardware |
| ZeroClaw | 14,920 ⭐ | Rust | 7.4 MB | Production security |
| nanobot | ? ⭐ | Python | ~4,000 LOC | Ultra-lightweight personal AI assistant |
| ClawHub | 2,353 ⭐ | TypeScript | 1.9 MB | Finding AI skills |
# Install (requires Node >= 22)
npm install -g openclaw@latest
# Run onboarding wizard
openclaw onboard --install-daemon
# Start the gateway
openclaw gateway --port 18789Best for: Complete personal AI setup with multi-channel support (WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, Slack, etc.)
# Download binary
wget https://github.com/sipeed/picoclaw/releases/latest/download/picoclaw-linux-arm64
chmod +x picoclaw-linux-arm64
./picoclaw-linux-arm64Best for: Running on Raspberry Pi Zero, old phones, embedded devices (<10MB RAM)
# Clone and bootstrap
git clone https://github.com/zeroclaw-labs/zeroclaw.git
cd zeroclaw
./bootstrap.sh
# Or install with cargo
cargo install zeroclaw
# Run onboarding
zeroclad onboardBest for: Production, security-critical deployments (<5MB RAM, 400x faster startup)
# Install with pip (Python >= 3.11)
pip install nanobot-ai
# Or install with uv
uv tool install nanobot-ai
# Initialize and configure
nanobot onboard
# Chat with agent
nanobot agent
# Start gateway for chat platforms
nanobot gatewayBest for: Quick prototyping, research, and lightweight AI assistant deployment
Features:
- Multiple channels: Telegram, Discord, WhatsApp, Slack, Email, QQ, DingTalk, Feishu
- 13+ LLM providers (OpenRouter, Anthropic, OpenAI, DeepSeek, Groq, etc.)
- MCP (Model Context Protocol) support
- Skills system
- Docker support
- ~4,000 LOC (99% smaller than OpenClaw)
# Search skills
clawhub search "weather forecast"
# Install
clawhub install weather-skill
# List installed
clawhub listBest for: Extending any Claw framework with 5,700+ community skills
A public Moltbook instance exposed user data due to misconfigured database settings.
Mitigation: Always use openclaw doctor to audit configuration before deployment.
A skill in ClawHub was found to silently collect user data.
Mitigation: Review skill code before installing, especially from untrusted authors.
- Review tool permissions carefully
- Use sandboxed environments for code execution
- Store API keys in environment variables
- Audit agent logs regularly
- Install security updates promptly
- 2024 Q4 - Clawd created by Peter Steinberger
- 2025 January - Clawd renamed to Moltbot (lobster theme)
- 2025 January 27 - Moltbot goes viral (100K+ stars in weeks)
- 2025 January 29 - Anthropic trademark claim → renamed to OpenClaw
- 2025 February 15 - Peter Steinberger joins OpenAI (Reuters, CNBC)
- 2025 Q2 - PicoClaw launches (Go-based, <10MB)
- 2025 Q3 - ZeroClaw launches (Rust-based, security-first)
- 2025 Q4 - ClawHub reaches 5,000+ skills
- 2026 - OpenClaw reaches 200K+ stars, ecosystem continues to grow
ClawHub hosts 5,700+ community-built skills for the Claw family:
# Popular skills
clawhub install weather-skill # Weather forecasts
clawhub install calendar-skill # Calendar management
clawhub install github-skill # GitHub operations
clawhub install spotify-skill # Music control
clawhub install code-review-skill # Code review assistanceVisit ClawHub to browse all skills.
- OpenClaw - Full-featured personal AI
- PicoClaw - Ultra-lightweight agent
- ZeroClaw - Security-first runtime
- nanobot - Ultra-lightweight assistant
- ClawHub - Skill registry
# Clone repository
git clone https://github.com/CCAgentOrg/claw-family.git
cd claw-family
# Serve locally (Python 3)
python -m http.server 8000
# Or use Node.js
npx http-server -p 8000
# Open http://localhost:8000claw-microsite/
├── index.html # Main site
├── styles.css # Dark theme CSS
├── script.js # GitHub API integration
├── llm.txt # AI context file
├── stats.json # Fallback GitHub stats
├── README.md # This file
├── .nojekyll # GitHub Pages fix
└── *-verified.gif # Animated infographics (5 files)
# Check domain availability
npm run check:domains
# Generate infographics
bash generate-infographics.sh
# Test GitHub API
npm run test:apiThe site is deployed to GitHub Pages:
URL: https://ccagentorg.github.io/claw-family/
# Push to main branch - auto-deploys via GitHub Actions
git add .
git commit -m "Update site"
git push origin mainnpm install -g vercel
vercel --prodnpm install -g netlify-cli
netlify deploy --prodnpm install -g wrangler
wrangler pages deploy . --project-name=claw-micrositeThis project includes an llm.txt file for AI assistants. When contributing or maintaining this project:
- Always verify GitHub stats using the GitHub API
- Security incidents are documented in the site's Security section
- The Claw family includes OpenClaw, PicoClaw, ZeroClaw, nanobot, and ClawHub
- All frameworks share the "personal AI ownership" philosophy
This microsite content is licensed under MIT License.
The Claw family frameworks are open-source with various licenses:
- OpenClaw: MIT License
- PicoClaw: MIT License
- ZeroClaw: MIT License
- nanobot: MIT License
- ClawHub: MIT License
- The Claw family community for building amazing open-source AI tools
- x-gif-maker for animated infographics
- GitHub API for live statistics
Built with ❤️ for the AI agent community
🦞 The Claw Family - Open-Source AI Agent Frameworks