Overview
OpenClaw is a self-hosted, open-source AI agent framework with 196,000+ GitHub stars — the largest by adoption. It gives agents the ability to browse the web, execute commands, control browsers, and perform autonomous tasks through composable skills installed from the ClawHub marketplace (13,729+ community modules).
For prediction market builders, OpenClaw serves as the Layer 4 (Intelligence) component of the Agent Betting Stack, with skills covering Layers 1-3 as well.
Key specs
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Language | TypeScript / Node.js 22+ |
| License | MIT |
| GitHub stars | 196,000+ |
| Skills on ClawHub | 13,729+ |
| LLM support | Claude, GPT, Gemini, DeepSeek, Llama, local (Ollama) |
| Messaging platforms | 22+ (Telegram, Discord, Slack, WhatsApp, Signal, iMessage, etc.) |
| Data storage | Local (Markdown, JSONL, SQLite) |
| Installation | npm install -g openclaw@latest, Homebrew, or Docker |
| Formerly known as | ClawdBot (Nov 2025), MoltBot (Jan 2026) |
| Maintained by | Independent open-source foundation (OpenAI-backed) |
Prediction market skills
| Skill | Market | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| PolyClaw | Polymarket | Split + CLOB execution, LLM hedge discovery |
| BankrBot | Polymarket + DeFi | Multi-strategy (spot, leveraged, NFTs) |
| Solana CLI PM | Polymarket, Kalshi | Cross-platform via Jupiter/Solana |
| ClawArena | Custom | Agent-vs-agent prediction markets |
| Argus Edge | Multi-platform | Probability deviation analysis |
Strengths
- Largest skills ecosystem: 13,729+ modules covering trading, DeFi, research, communication, and automation
- Model-agnostic: Swap LLMs without rebuilding agent logic
- Self-hosted: All data local, no cloud dependency
- Serial execution: Lane Queue System prevents race conditions in trading
- Active development: OpenAI-backed foundation, strong community
Weaknesses
- Security risks: 26% of skills contain vulnerabilities (Cisco audit), ClawHavoc supply chain attack uploaded 341 malicious skills
- Not PM-native: Prediction market support is via third-party skills, not built-in
- Setup complexity: Requires Node.js, LLM configuration, skill installation, and credential management
- No centralized benchmarks: Performance depends entirely on your configuration
Alternatives
- Olas Polystrat — Turnkey autonomous Polymarket agent (comparison)
- Polymarket Agents — Official developer framework for Polymarket bots
- CrewAI — Multi-agent orchestration (general-purpose)
- Polyseer — Multi-agent Bayesian analysis for PM
Quick reference: See OpenClaw in the Tool Directory for integration specs and agent-friendliness ratings.
Related guides
- OpenClaw Prediction Market Guide — Full technical walkthrough
- Composable Agent Tools for Prediction Markets — Skills and MCP deep dive
- OpenClaw vs. Olas Polystrat — Head-to-head comparison
- From ClawdBot to OpenClaw — Naming history and builder implications
- Agent Betting Stack — The four-layer model