ZeroClaw

Overview

ZeroClaw is a runtime operating system for agentic workflows — infrastructure that abstracts models, tools, memory, and execution so agents can be built once and run anywhere. Written entirely in Rust with a trait-driven architecture, ZeroClaw delivers a secure-by-default, fully swappable runtime environment. Compared to alternatives like OpenClaw, ZeroClaw keeps common CLI and status workflows within a few-megabyte memory envelope on release builds, running smoothly on $10 hardware with near-instant cold starts.

Key Features

• Lean Runtime by Default: Common workflows run in a few-megabyte memory footprint on release builds, dramatically lower than comparable solutions.
• Cost-Efficient Deployment: Designed for low-cost boards and small cloud instances without heavyweight runtime dependencies.
• Fast Cold Starts: Single-binary Rust runtime keeps command and daemon startup near-instant for daily operations.
• Portable Architecture: One binary-first workflow across ARM, x86, and RISC-V with swappable providers/channels/tools.
• Fully Swappable: Core systems are traits — swap providers, channels, tools, memory, tunnels, and more via configuration, zero code changes.
• Secure by Design: Pairing authentication, strict sandboxing, explicit allowlists, workspace scoping, and encrypted secrets.
• No Lock-in: OpenAI-compatible provider support with pluggable custom endpoints.

Use Cases

• Edge Scenarios: Run autonomous agents on Raspberry Pi, Orange Pi, and other low-cost SBCs.
• Personal/Team Assistants: Message assistants and task automation via Telegram, Discord, Slack, and 70+ integrations.
• Development & Operations: Local gateway/daemon modes with tool orchestration for shell, file, git, and more.
• Hybrid Cloud Deployment: Unified access to OpenRouter, Ollama, vLLM, llama.cpp, and other providers.
• Education & Prototyping: Low-cost, low-barrier agent runtime ideal for teaching demos and rapid prototyping.

Technical Highlights

• Full Memory System: Custom SQLite-based vector storage, FTS5 keyword search, weighted hybrid search, and embedding cache — no external vector DB required.
• 70+ Integrations: Supports Telegram, Discord, Slack, Mattermost, iMessage, Matrix, Signal, WhatsApp, Lark, DingTalk, QQ, Nostr, Email, IRC channels, plus browser, http_request, screenshot, composio, and more.
• Identity & Skills: Supports both OpenClaw (Markdown) and AIEOS v1.1 (JSON) identity formats with TOML manifest-based skill loader.
• Runtime Adaptation: Native and Docker sandboxed runtimes with configurable network mode, memory limits, CPU limits, and read-only root filesystem.
• Security & Observability: Gateway binds localhost with mandatory pairing authentication, Noop/Log/Multi observer modes, health/pair/webhook API endpoints.
• Service Management: systemd user-level or OpenRC system-wide service management with one-click install, start, stop, status, and uninstall.