Clawdbot vs MoltBot vs OpenClaw: What Happened and How to Migrate Safely

If you searched for Clawdbot or MoltBot and landed here, you are not alone.

The project has been renamed twice:

Clawdbot → MoltBot → OpenClaw

This article explains:

Why the project names changed
Whether OpenClaw is the same project
What existing Clawdbot/MoltBot users should do next

If you just want a working setup, skip ahead to the migration section.

Short Answer

Clawdbot = MoltBot = OpenClaw
Same codebase
Same maintainers
Same functionality

Only the name changed.

Why Was the Project Renamed?

The rename was a preventive and strategic decision, not a technical one.

First Rename: Clawdbot → MoltBot

The name Clawdbot was increasingly associated with:

Anthropic's Claude models
Third-party Claude wrappers
Unofficial tools using similar branding

This created potential legal and ecosystem confusion.

To avoid future issues, the project maintainers chose to rebrand to MoltBot.

Second Rename: MoltBot → OpenClaw

The MoltBot name was then changed to OpenClaw to:

Better reflect the open-source nature of the project
Establish a unique, memorable brand identity
Avoid any remaining trademark concerns

Is OpenClaw a Different Project?

No.

OpenClaw is a direct continuation of Clawdbot and MoltBot.

There was no fork, no rewrite, and no reset.

What stayed the same:

Core architecture
Configuration format
CLI commands
API provider support

What changed:

Repository name
Branding and documentation references

Migration Guide for Existing Clawdbot/MoltBot Users

If you already have Clawdbot or MoltBot installed, migration is straightforward.

In most cases, it takes less than 2 minutes.

Step 1: Stop the Running Process

If OpenClaw (formerly Clawdbot/MoltBot) is currently running:

# If running in the foreground
Press Ctrl + C

If you are using a process manager or service, stop it first.

Step 2: Pull the Latest Code

Navigate to your existing project directory:

cd your-project-directory
git pull origin main

This updates the repository to the latest OpenClaw version.

Step 3: Reinstall Dependencies

After pulling the update, refresh dependencies:

npm install

This ensures package references align with the new project name.

Step 4: Restart the Agent

Start the agent again:

npm run start

If the server starts without errors, the migration is complete. 🎉

Configuration Compatibility

Good news: no configuration changes are required.

Your existing .env file remains fully compatible.

This includes:

OpenAI API keys
Anthropic API keys
Model selection
Tool configuration

⚠️ Do not delete or recreate your .env file unless you are troubleshooting.

Do Old Clawdbot/MoltBot Tutorials Still Work?

Mostly, yes.

Because the internal logic did not change, most tutorials remain valid.

However, keep in mind:

Repository URLs may differ
The names "Clawdbot" and "MoltBot" may be outdated in examples
Documentation links may redirect

When in doubt, follow OpenClaw-specific documentation.

Should I Do a Fresh Install Instead?

If your setup is working, migration is enough.

You may consider a fresh install if:

Your environment is broken
You are upgrading Node.js
You want a clean starting point

In that case, follow this guide: Quick Install

Summary

Clawdbot and MoltBot did not disappear.

They evolved into OpenClaw, with the same foundation and a clearer future path.

Existing users can migrate safely in minutes, without reconfiguration or data loss.

If you are new, start with the quick install guide and skip the old names entirely.

Next Recommended Read

OpenClaw 101: Quick Install Guide