Understanding OpenClaw Skills: The Blueprint for AI Execution

Turn chat into action with interoperable, Markdown‑based skills

Welcome to the OpenClaw Skills hub. In the era of autonomous agents, a chatbot is only as powerful as the actions it can perform. OpenClaw (formerly known as Moltbot) transforms from a simple conversational AI into a robust execution engine through its innovative Skills System.

This section is dedicated to exploring how these skills work, how to deploy them, and how they empower your AI to interact with the real world.

What are OpenClaw Skills?

At its core, an OpenClaw Skill is a "recipe" for the AI. Unlike traditional software that requires complex API integrations or proprietary code, OpenClaw Skills are built using Markdown (skill.md).

YAML Metadata

Define skill name, version, and requirements.

Markdown Instructions

Step‑by‑step logic that tells the AI exactly how to use a tool or navigate a workflow.

Because these skills follow the Anthropic Agent Skills Spec, they are highly interoperable. A skill built for OpenClaw can often be utilized across environments like Claude Code, Cursor, or VS Code.

The Claude Hub Ecosystem

OpenClaw is powered by a community‑driven registry called Claude Hub. With over 700+ pre‑built skills, you can instantly grant your AI new capabilities. Whether you need to control a Tesla, manage a Home Assistant setup, or automate complex financial tracking via Hledger, there is likely a skill already available.

One of the most powerful features of OpenClaw is Real‑time Skill Discovery. If you ask the AI to perform a task it isn't currently equipped for, it can search the hub, find the relevant skill, and ask for your permission to install it on the fly.

Key Categories of Capabilities

Core Productivity

Deep integration with Google Workspace (Gmail, Calendar, Drive), Notion, and Slack. Your AI can read, draft, and respond to communications autonomously.

Web & Browser Automation

Beyond simple searching, skills allow the AI to navigate the live web, fill out forms, and interact with complex web applications just like a human user.

System & DevOps

Manage your local file system, execute terminal commands, and interact with Docker containers. This makes OpenClaw an indispensable partner for developers and system administrators.

Self‑Evolving AI: Skills for Skills

Perhaps the most revolutionary aspect of the OpenClaw system is the ability for the AI to write its own skills. If a specific API doesn't have a skill yet, you can instruct OpenClaw to research the documentation, write the skill.md file, and save it to its repertoire. This creates a self‑improving loop where your agent becomes more capable every time it encounters a new challenge.

Security and Sandboxing

Get Started

Explore our curated list of OpenClaw skills below to start building your own autonomous workstation. From simple automation to complex cross‑platform workflows, the only limit is the instructions you provide.

Video

This video introduces the OpenClaw Skills blueprint and demonstrates discovery, installation, and safe execution flows in practice.