Clawdbot Rebrands as Moltbot After Rapid Rise in Popularity
The open-source AI assistant previously known as Clawdbot has officially changed its name to Moltbot, a move that feels almost inevitable given its recent success and underlying technology. The rebrand was confirmed in late January 2026 by creator Peter Steinberger, following what he described as a “polite” request from AI company Anthropic.
From Viral Tool to Trademark Reality
Clawdbot quickly gained attention across platforms like X (formerly Twitter), where AI enthusiasts, developers, and tech influencers praised it as a powerful and flexible assistant. The project’s popularity grew so fast that it even attracted unwanted attention—its GitHub repository was briefly targeted by crypto scammers, according to Steinberger.
As the tool’s user base expanded, so did scrutiny around its name. Many users rely on Claude, Anthropic’s family of large language models, as the core engine powering Clawdbot. This close association eventually raised trademark concerns.
To avoid legal complications, Steinberger chose to rename the project rather than risk conflict. Thus, Clawdbot “molted” into Moltbot—a name intended to reflect transformation rather than replacement.
Why “Moltbot”?
The rebrand isn’t just cosmetic. It ties into the project’s playful identity. Clawdbot’s mascot was a space lobster named Clawd. With the name change, the mascot has also evolved into Molty.
In a light-hearted lore post on GitHub, Steinberger explained the change using lobster biology as a metaphor: lobsters grow by shedding their old shells and emerging stronger. In the same way, the assistant shed its old name but retained its core purpose and functionality.
The updated mascot bio describes Molty as the same lobster at heart—just living in a new shell.
Infrastructure Updates Already Live
The transition is already underway across the project’s ecosystem. Steinberger has renamed the GitHub repository, and the former clawd.bot website is being replaced by molt.bot. Existing users can expect continuity in features and performance, as the rebrand does not affect how the assistant works.
Community Reactions Are Mixed
While the name change makes sense from a legal standpoint, reactions from the community have been divided. Some users appreciate the clever biological metaphor, while others feel that “Moltbot” lacks the punch and memorability of the original name.
Regardless of opinions on branding, most agree on one thing: the assistant itself remains as capable as ever.
Same AI, New Shell
Despite the name change, Moltbot continues to offer the same open-source flexibility that helped Clawdbot go viral. The project’s rapid growth highlights how quickly independent AI tools can gain traction—especially when built around strong models and transparent development.
In short, new name, same intelligence. Moltbot may not sound as sharp as Clawdbot, but its underlying value hasn’t changed. Like its lobster mascot, it has simply grown—and moved on.
