nanoclaw — Lightweight, Secure AI Assistant for WhatsApp
Lightweight, secure OpenClaw alternative that runs in Apple containers. WhatsApp AI bot with memory, scheduled jobs, built on Anthropic's Agents SDK.
About nanoclaw: lightweight AI assistant
nanoclaw is a lightweight, self-hosted AI assistant that serves as a secure OpenClaw alternative for developers and privacy-conscious users. Unlike complex AI frameworks with dozens of modules and dependencies, nanoclaw delivers powerful AI capabilities through a minimal, understandable codebase that runs in true OS-level Apple containers.
Built on Anthropic's Agents SDK, nanoclaw connects to WhatsApp to provide instant messaging AI capabilities with full context memory and scheduled automation. It's the ideal choice for users seeking a lightweight AI assistant without the security concerns and complexity of larger platforms like OpenClaw or Clawdbot.
With nanoclaw, you get a production-ready WhatsApp AI bot that can remember conversations, execute scheduled tasks, and maintain secure filesystem isolation through containerization—all in a codebase you can fully understand and customize.
Quick Start with Claude Code
# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/gavrielc/nanoclaw.git
cd nanoclaw
# Launch Claude Code and run setup
claude
# Then type: /setup
# Your WhatsApp AI bot is ready!nanoclaw vs OpenClaw vs Clawdbot: Feature Comparison
| Feature | nanoclaw | OpenClaw | Clawdbot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Code Size | ~500 lines | 52+ modules | Large codebase |
| Security Model | OS-level containers | App-level permissions | App-level security |
| Setup Complexity | One command (/setup) | Multi-step manual | Docker required |
| Messaging | Multi-channel | Multi-channel | |
| Memory | Built-in | Built-in | Built-in |
| Scheduled Jobs | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| AI Framework | Anthropic Agents SDK | Anthropic/OpenAI | Anthropic/OpenAI |
| Dependencies | Minimal | 45+ | Many |
nanoclaw Use Cases: OpenClaw alternative
Secure Self-Hosted AI Assistant
Deploy your own Claude-powered AI assistant with true OS-level container isolation. Perfect for privacy-focused users who want lightweight AI capabilities without trusting data to complex, opaque systems or third-party clouds.
WhatsApp AI Bot for Business
Create a responsive WhatsApp AI bot that handles customer queries, remembers conversation history, and maintains context across chat sessions. Ideal for businesses wanting automated WhatsApp messaging with AI intelligence.
Scheduled Automation with AI
Set up cron-like scheduled jobs that leverage AI for daily briefings, system monitoring, or automated reports delivered via WhatsApp. Combine AI intelligence with reliable automation scheduling.
OpenClaw Alternative for Minimalists
Migrate from complex AI frameworks to a lightweight alternative you can fully understand. nanoclaw's minimal codebase makes customization easy while maintaining core AI assistant functionality.
Development Learning Project
Study a production AI assistant codebase small enough to understand completely. Learn how agents, memory, WhatsApp messaging, and Apple containerization work together in a real application.
Secure Containerized Automation
Run AI-driven automation with confidence knowing everything executes in isolated containers with filesystem sandboxing. Reduce attack surface compared to monolithic AI applications.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Extremely lightweight codebase (~500 lines) you can fully understand
- True OS-level Apple container isolation for maximum security
- Simple one-command setup with Claude Code automation
- Native WhatsApp integration for universal messaging reach
- Built-in memory and context retention capabilities
- Scheduled job support for AI-powered automation
- Built on Anthropic's Agents SDK for powerful Claude integration
- Easy to customize and extend for specific needs
- No microservices or complex abstractions to manage
- Fully open source and transparent codebase
Cons
- WhatsApp-only messaging (no multi-channel support like OpenClaw)
- Fewer built-in features than comprehensive frameworks
- Requires Claude Code for easiest automated setup
- Smaller community and ecosystem than major alternatives
- Limited documentation compared to larger projects
- Single maintainer versus team-backed alternatives
- Apple containers limit cross-platform portability
- Manual configuration needed for advanced customizations
Frequently Asked Questions About nanoclaw
What is nanoclaw and how does it compare to OpenClaw?
nanoclaw is a lightweight, self-hosted AI assistant that serves as an OpenClaw alternative. While OpenClaw has 52+ modules and 45+ dependencies, nanoclaw uses one process with minimal files. It runs in actual Apple containers for OS-level security isolation rather than application-level permissions, and the entire codebase can be understood in about 8 minutes.
Is nanoclaw a secure OpenClaw alternative for WhatsApp?
Yes, nanoclaw provides enhanced security through Apple containers that offer true OS-level filesystem isolation. Unlike OpenClaw's application-level security with allowlists and pairing codes, nanoclaw's containerized approach provides stronger isolation guarantees for your WhatsApp AI bot.
Can I use nanoclaw as a self-hosted AI assistant?
Absolutely. nanoclaw is designed specifically for self-hosting with minimal dependencies. You maintain full control over your data and infrastructure while getting powerful AI capabilities through Anthropic's Agents SDK and Claude integration.
What messaging platforms does nanoclaw support?
nanoclaw currently focuses on WhatsApp as its primary messaging channel. This focused approach keeps the codebase minimal while leveraging the world's most widely used messaging platform for your AI assistant.
How do I set up nanoclaw as my WhatsApp AI bot?
Setup is simple: clone the repository, navigate to the directory, run 'claude', then execute /setup. Claude Code automatically handles dependencies, authentication, container configuration, and service setup. You'll have a working WhatsApp AI bot within minutes.
Does nanoclaw support memory and context retention?
Yes, nanoclaw includes built-in memory capabilities that allow your AI assistant to remember context from previous WhatsApp conversations. This enables more natural, context-aware interactions over time.
Can I customize nanoclaw for my specific needs?
Yes, nanoclaw is designed to be understood and modified. With a minimal codebase of around 500 lines and clear structure, you can easily add features, change behavior, integrate with your own APIs, or adapt it for specific use cases as a custom AI assistant.
Does nanoclaw support scheduled tasks or cron jobs?
Yes, nanoclaw includes scheduled job capabilities similar to cron. You can set up automated AI tasks that run at specific times or intervals, with results delivered through WhatsApp.
nanoclaw Alternatives
OpenClaw
Feature-rich with multi-channel support but complex; nanoclaw offers simplicity and superior container security for WhatsApp-focused use
Clawdbot
Comprehensive AI framework with many integrations; nanoclaw prioritizes minimalism, understandability, and OS-level security
MemU
Advanced memory-focused framework; nanoclaw provides a complete AI assistant with messaging, memory, and scheduling in one