In This Article
Introduction
The origins of OpenClaw are rooted in the "vibe coding" movement of late 2025. Developed by Peter Steinberger, the project began as "WhatsApp Relay," then launched publicly as Clawdbot — a name derived from an earlier assistant named Clawd (now Molty), a phonetic tribute to Anthropic's Claude model. The branding immediately encountered legal friction, triggering a chaotic 72-hour rebranding sprint.
Clawdbot
Clawdbot launched publicly on January 25, 2026. The name combined "Clawd" (the assistant) with "bot." The lobster mascot was an inside joke — a visual pun on "Claude." Viral adoption began immediately; thousands of GitHub stars within days.
Problem: Anthropic's legal team noted that the name and lobster mascot were too similar to their Claude Code branding. Trademark concerns were raised.
Anthropic Legal Pressure
Anthropic's legal team contacted Steinberger. The "Clawdbot" name and lobster imagery created confusion with Claude. A rebrand was necessary to avoid legal action. The community was mid-viral-growth; changing names risked fragmenting momentum.
Moltbot
On January 27, 2026, the project was renamed Moltbot — a name suggested during a 5:00 AM community brainstorm. "Molting" refers to the process by which lobsters shed their shells to grow; the metaphor fit a project in rapid evolution.
Problem: Steinberger found "Moltbot" lacking "linguistic fluidity." It was a placeholder, not a final identity. The search continued.
OpenClaw
On January 30, 2026, Steinberger performed a third and final rebrand to OpenClaw. The name captured the dual nature of the project: "Open" for its community-driven, MIT-licensed foundation, and "Claw" to preserve the lobster heritage. The community embraced it. OpenClaw was distinct enough to avoid legal issues, memorable enough to stick, and open enough to signal the project's values.
Before finalizing, Steinberger consulted with OpenAI's Sam Altman to ensure no branding conflicts would arise — a foreshadowing of the project's eventual institutional alignment. The 100,000 GitHub star milestone was reached during this period. See 100K stars for the adoption story.
Why the Names Matter
The rebrand wasn't just legal compliance. Each name reflected the project's stage. Clawdbot: playful, experimental, tied to Claude. Moltbot: transitional, community-driven, evolving. OpenClaw: mature, open, ready for the world. The final name signaled that OpenClaw had outgrown its origins. It was no longer "Claude's little brother" — it was its own thing. The community had grown large enough to sustain an identity. See Peter Steinberger for the creator's perspective.
Timeline
| Date | Name | Event |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 2025 | WhatsApp Relay | Initial project |
| Jan 25, 2026 | Clawdbot | Public launch |
| Jan 27, 2026 | Moltbot | First rebrand |
| Jan 30, 2026 | OpenClaw | Final rebrand; 100K stars |
| Feb 14, 2026 | OpenClaw Foundation | Steinberger joins OpenAI |
Wrapping Up
The name history reflects OpenClaw's chaotic, viral origins. Three names in five days; legal pressure; community collaboration; eventual stability. See name history and Peter Steinberger for more.