2026-02-18 · Serg Lotz

What Is OpenClaw? A Complete Guide to the AI Agent Platform

What Is OpenClaw?

OpenClaw is an open-source AI agent platform that runs on your own infrastructure. Unlike chatbots that live in a browser tab, OpenClaw agents connect to your actual tools — Telegram, email, calendars, APIs, servers, code repositories — and autonomously execute tasks.

Think of it as giving an AI assistant root access to your workflow. It doesn't just suggest things. It does them.

How OpenClaw Works

At its core, OpenClaw is a gateway that sits between an LLM (like Claude or GPT) and your tools. The agent receives messages, reasons about what to do, and takes action using the tools you've connected.

The architecture is simple:

  • Gateway — the daemon that manages sessions, queues, and tool routing
  • Sessions — conversations with context, memory, and state
  • Skills — modular capabilities the agent can load on demand
  • Tools — integrations with external services (messaging, APIs, file systems)

Why Self-Host?

OpenClaw runs on your own server. That means:

  • Your data stays yours — no third-party cloud storing your conversations
  • Full control — configure models, tools, and permissions exactly how you want
  • No vendor lock-in — swap models, add integrations, fork the code
  • EU-hosted — run it on Hetzner in Germany for GDPR compliance

What Can You Build With OpenClaw?

The use cases are as broad as the tools you connect:

  • Automated SEO — agents that write, publish, and optimize content daily
  • Customer support — AI that handles emails, chats, and phone calls
  • DevOps automation — deploy, monitor, and fix infrastructure
  • Personal assistants — agents that manage your calendar, inbox, and tasks
  • Sales pipelines — automated outreach, follow-ups, and CRM updates

Getting Started

The fastest way to get an OpenClaw instance running is through StartLobster — a professional setup service that provisions a fully configured server in minutes.

Or if you prefer to set it up yourself, check the OpenClaw documentation.

Want Expert Help?

If you're evaluating OpenClaw for your team and want hands-on guidance, book a consulting session with us. We've been building with OpenClaw since day one and can help you skip the trial-and-error phase.