Clawdbot is an open-source, self-hosted AI personal assistant that's exploded in popularity in Silicon Valley in early 2026, often called the "24/7 Jarvis" for its ability to run locally on devices like a Mac Mini, manage daily tasks autonomously, and integrate with chat apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, and iMessage. Created by developer Peter Steinberger (known as @steipete), it's hailed as a "full-time AI employee" or "cyber butler" that remembers everything, acts proactively, and accesses your computer's full capabilities—reshaping what people expect from AI assistants this year.[1][2][3]
Why It's Blowing Up in Silicon Valley
Clawdbot's hype stems from its rapid growth and real-world utility. Launched recently, its GitHub repo has surged to over 29,900 stars (with earlier reports at ~9,200), making it one of the fastest-growing open-source AI projects ever—fueled by word-of-mouth among founders, developers, and tech enthusiasts.[2][1] Tech leaders like David Sacks and Vijay Shekhar Sharma have shouted it out, and the buzz has even spiked Mac Mini sales, as people set them up as dedicated "home labs" to run Clawdbot 24/7.[3][4] One AI startup CEO dramatically claimed, "We have AGI!" after using it, while others joke it's "taking over everything."[1][4]
Core Features That Set It Apart
Unlike forgetful chatbots like basic ChatGPT or Siri, Clawdbot is built for persistence and power:
- Persistent Memory: Stores all conversations, preferences, projects, and details in simple local folders and Markdown files—no session resets. It recalls info from weeks ago for personalized responses.[2][3]
- Proactive Alerts: Doesn't just react—it messages you first with morning briefings (emails, calendar, tasks), reminders, stock summaries, or alerts on topics you care about, delivered via your preferred app.[2][3][5]
- Full Computer Control: Runs locally (except for brief internet calls to models like Claude or Gemini), with access to your shell, files, terminal commands, scripts, and even smart home devices. It can execute code, browse the web, organize notes, or manage groceries from a photo.[1][2][4]
- Multi-App Gateway: One brain across WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, Slack, Telegram, Signal—same memory and context everywhere.[2][5]
- Voice and Evolution: Includes voice interaction; it self-evolves by installing skills, overseeing other AI agents, or setting up servers.[1][4][5]
| Feature | Traditional AI (e.g., ChatGPT) | Clawdbot |
|---|---|---|
| Memory | Session-only, forgets quickly | Permanent local storage[2] |
| Initiative | Passive, waits for prompts | Proactive outreach[2][3] |
| Access | Limited to chat interface | Full OS/file/shell control[1][4] |
| Hosting | Cloud-only | Local on Mac Mini/etc.[1][3] |
Real-World Examples Users Love
People are sharing "magic" demos online:
- Daily Automation: Auto-summarizes Bombay Stock Exchange trades tailored to your portfolio, sent to Telegram—no daily prompts needed.[3]
- Task Mastery: Handles emails, flight check-ins, calendar, meeting notes, recipe-based grocery lists, or web searches.[2][5]
- Home/Dev Power: Controls lights, runs scripts, builds custom tools via chat, or even manages a business (per one prediction).[1][4][5]
- Fun Fact: It's like upgrading from a basic car to one with a driver who has your phone—they handle background work while you're away.[3]
How to Get Started (Quick 5-Min Guide)
Installation is developer-friendly but accessible:
- On Mac/Linux, run
curl -fsSL https...(full command in docs) for quick setup.[5] - Pick an AI model (Claude/Gemini via API key).[5]
- Connect chat apps and secure with a token.[5]
- It auto-starts as a background service; add voice, skills, or cloud hosting later.[5]
Caveat: Its "highest privileges" mean high power—and risk—so secure it properly. While hype is real, some sources note it may evolve past the buzz, as with other AI tools.[2] Check the GitHub (github.com/clawdbot/clawdbot) for the latest—it's open-source, so anyone can tweak it.[1][2]
Sources
- https://eu.36kr.com/en/p/3655411080568966
- https://dev.to/sivarampg/clawdbot-the-ai-assistant-thats-breaking-the-internet-1a47
- https://www.indiatoday.in/technology/features/story/clawdbot-is-latest-ai-sensation-in-silicon-valley-makes-mac-mini-shoot-up-full-story-in-5-points-2857897-2026-01-26
- https://www.panewslab.com/en/articles/b37f2cec-1c0f-487b-af34-61faea2e3cb2
- https://leedlime.com/blog/how-to-setup-clawdbot
- https://toborlife.ai/latest-news/when-robots-fold-laundry-and-investors-lean-in-what-a-silicon-valley-summit-signals-in-2026/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgwMFLjxQa0
