TL;DR: Clawdbot is a free, open-source gateway that connects AI agents to WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, and iMessage. It's the easiest way to chat with Claude, ChatGPT, or any AI from your phone. Install in 5 minutes, no coding required.
Get Started Free
Clawdbot is open-source and free to use. You only pay for your AI provider.
View on GitHub → Read the Docs →What is Clawdbot?
Clawdbot is an open-source gateway that bridges AI coding agents to messaging platforms. Think of it as the missing piece that lets you text an AI assistant from WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, or iMessage — just like messaging a friend.
Instead of opening ChatGPT or Claude in a browser, you send a message from your phone. Clawdbot routes it to the AI, gets a response, and sends it back. It's AI in your pocket, on the apps you already use.
The name? CLAW + TARDIS — because every space lobster needs a time-and-space machine. 🦞
Key Features
Full WhatsApp Web integration via Baileys protocol
✈️ Telegram
Bot API support for DMs and groups
🎮 Discord
Guild channels and DMs via Discord.js
💬 iMessage
Native macOS integration
🤖 Multi-Agent
Route different users to different AI agents
📎 Media Support
Send/receive images, audio, documents
🎤 Voice Notes
Optional transcription for voice messages
⏱️ Cron Jobs
Schedule automated messages and reminders
Who Is Clawdbot For?
- Power users who want AI on their phone without switching apps
- Developers building AI-powered bots and assistants
- Teams who want shared AI access via group chats
- Privacy-conscious users who want to self-host their AI gateway
- Not for: Non-technical users who want zero setup (try ChatGPT mobile app instead)
How to Install Clawdbot
Clawdbot requires Node.js 22+ and runs on macOS, Linux, or Windows (WSL2).
Install via npm
Open your terminal and run:
npm install -g clawdbot@latestRun the Onboarding Wizard
This sets up your configuration and installs the background service:
clawdbot onboard --install-daemonThe wizard will walk you through:
- Choosing your AI provider (Anthropic, OpenAI, etc.)
- Setting up API keys
- Configuring messaging channels
- Installing the systemd/launchd service
Connect Your Messaging App
Pair WhatsApp, Telegram, or Discord:
# For WhatsApp (scan QR code)
clawdbot channels login
# For Telegram (enter bot token)
clawdbot channels login --channel telegram
# For Discord
clawdbot channels login --channel discordStart Chatting!
Send a message to your connected account. Clawdbot handles the rest.
Server Installation (Production)
For production deployments on Debian/Ubuntu servers, use the automated Ansible installer:
curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/clawdbot/clawdbot-ansible/main/install.sh | bashThis sets up:
- 🔒 Firewall (UFW) with minimal attack surface
- 🔐 Tailscale VPN for secure remote access
- 🐳 Docker for sandboxed agent execution
- 🛡️ Systemd service with hardening
Full guide: github.com/clawdbot/clawdbot-ansible
Configuration
Config lives at ~/.clawdbot/clawdbot.json. Here's a minimal example:
{
"channels": {
"whatsapp": {
"allowFrom": ["+15555550123"]
},
"telegram": {
"botToken": "your-bot-token"
}
}
}Key configuration options:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
allowFrom |
Whitelist of phone numbers allowed to use the bot |
requireMention |
In groups, only respond when @mentioned |
mentionPatterns |
Custom patterns like "@clawd" or "hey bot" |
provider |
AI provider (anthropic, openai, etc.) |
Supported Platforms
| Platform | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ✅ Full support | Via WhatsApp Web (Baileys) | |
| Telegram | ✅ Full support | Bot API via grammY |
| Discord | ✅ Full support | Bot API via Discord.js |
| iMessage | ✅ macOS only | Via imsg CLI |
| Mattermost | ✅ Plugin | Bot token + WebSocket |
| Signal | ✅ Plugin | Via signal-cli |
| Slack | ✅ Plugin | Bot token integration |
Pricing
Clawdbot itself is 100% free — open-source under MIT license.
You pay only for your AI provider:
| Provider | Cost |
|---|---|
| Anthropic (Claude) | $20/month (Pro) or API usage |
| OpenAI (ChatGPT) | $20/month (Plus) or API usage |
| Google (Gemini) | Free tier available, or API usage |
| Local models (Ollama) | Free (runs on your hardware) |
Pros and Cons
What We Love
- Free and open-source
- Multi-platform support (WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, iMessage)
- Self-hosted = full privacy control
- Active development and community
- Excellent documentation
- Mobile apps for iOS and Android
What Could Be Better
- Requires some technical setup
- WhatsApp Web can disconnect occasionally
- No hosted option (must self-host)
The Bottom Line
Clawdbot is the best way to get AI assistants on your phone via the messaging apps you already use. If you're comfortable with basic terminal commands, you can have it running in 5 minutes.
It's free, open-source, and puts you in control of your data. For power users and developers, it's a no-brainer.
Want AI in your pocket? Clawdbot delivers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Clawdbot?
Clawdbot is an open-source gateway that connects AI coding agents to messaging platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, and iMessage. It lets you chat with AI assistants from your phone.
Is Clawdbot free?
Yes, Clawdbot is free and open-source (MIT license). You only pay for the AI provider you connect (like Anthropic Claude or OpenAI).
What messaging apps does Clawdbot support?
Clawdbot supports WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, iMessage (macOS), and Mattermost via plugins. You can use multiple channels simultaneously.
How do I install Clawdbot?
Install with npm: npm install -g clawdbot@latest, then run clawdbot onboard --install-daemon to set up. Finally, connect your messaging app with clawdbot channels login.
Can I use Clawdbot with ChatGPT?
Yes! Clawdbot supports multiple AI providers including OpenAI (ChatGPT), Anthropic (Claude), Google (Gemini), and local models via Ollama.
Is Clawdbot safe to use?
Yes. Clawdbot is open-source so you can inspect the code. It runs on your own server, giving you full control over your data. It doesn't send your messages to any third party except your chosen AI provider.