Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to common questions about ClawdBot.
General
What is ClawdBot?
ClawdBot is an open-source personal AI assistant that runs on your computer and connects to chat apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Discord. It can perform tasks like managing emails, controlling your calendar, browsing the web, and more.
Is ClawdBot free?
ClawdBot itself is free and open source. However, you'll need an API key from an AI provider:
- Anthropic Claude — Pay per use, roughly $0.01-0.03 per message
- OpenAI — Pay per use, similar pricing
- Local models (Ollama) — Free to use, runs on your hardware
Most users spend $5-20/month on API costs with normal usage.
What can ClawdBot do?
ClawdBot can:
- Manage emails (read, reply, organize)
- Control your calendar (schedule, reschedule, check availability)
- Browse the web (fill forms, extract data, automate tasks)
- Manage files (read, write, organize)
- Run shell commands and scripts
- Control smart home devices
- Integrate with 50+ services
See example conversations for real use cases.
Data & Access
Where does ClawdBot run?
ClawdBot runs on your computer. When you send a message, it communicates with your chosen AI provider's API to process requests. If you use local models via Ollama, processing happens on your machine.
Can ClawdBot access my passwords?
Only if you explicitly give it access. You control what ClawdBot can do through configuration and sandboxing. For sensitive credentials, use environment variables or a password manager integration.
Can other people message my ClawdBot?
By default, ClawdBot requires your approval before responding to unknown contacts. A pairing code system ensures only people you authorize can interact with your assistant.
WhatsApp & Messaging
Will using ClawdBot get my WhatsApp banned?
ClawdBot uses similar protocols to WhatsApp Web. For personal use with normal activity levels, the risk is lower but not eliminated. To reduce risk:
- Don't send high-volume automated messages
- Don't use it for spam or marketing
- Keep activity patterns natural
Many users run ClawdBot for personal use without issues.
Does my phone need to stay on?
Your phone needs internet connectivity but doesn't need to have WhatsApp open. It works like WhatsApp Web—your phone is the primary device, ClawdBot is a linked device.
Can ClawdBot work in group chats?
Yes! You can configure it to respond in groups—either to all messages or only when mentioned.
Technical
What are the system requirements?
- OS: macOS, Linux, or Windows (WSL2 recommended)
- Node.js: Version 22 or higher
- RAM: 4GB minimum, 8GB+ recommended
- Storage: ~500MB for installation
For local AI models, you'll need 16GB+ RAM and preferably a GPU.
Why is WSL2 recommended for Windows?
ClawdBot is built for Unix-like systems. While it runs on native Windows, some features (especially WhatsApp and Telegram) work more reliably in WSL2, which provides a full Linux environment with minimal overhead.
Does my computer need to stay on?
Yes—ClawdBot runs on your machine. For 24/7 availability, run it on a home server, Raspberry Pi, or VPS.
Which AI model should I use?
Anthropic Claude is recommended. OpenAI works well too. You can also use local models via Ollama (requires decent hardware).
Troubleshooting
ClawdBot isn't responding
- Check gateway status:
clawdbot gateway status - Verify channels are connected:
clawdbot status --all - For new contacts, ensure pairing is approved
- Check API key is valid with remaining credits
WhatsApp QR code keeps expiring
- Make sure you're using Node.js, not Bun
- Scan quickly—codes expire fast
- Check your internet connection
- Try:
clawdbot channels login --verbose