Openclaw releases major 2.0 update for open-source AI agents

Openclaw has released version 2.0, marking the most significant update in the history of the open-source AI agent project. Originally created by Peter Steinberger to connect Anthropic’s Claude to WhatsApp, the project has evolved into a powerful AI assistant.

This major release includes over 16,000 pull requests from 933 contributors. While initially intended to simplify installation and introduce a new browser interface, the update expanded into a near-complete platform overhaul. Key improvements affect installation, messaging, storage, skills, models, automation, plugins, and security.

Notable features include a redesigned browser interface that centralizes conversations and a simplified deployment process that automatically identifies available resources like ChatGPT, Claude subscriptions, API keys, and local models. The update also introduces shared cloud sessions, allowing multiple users to collaborate on agent workflows, expanding the tool's utility from personal automation to team-based environments.

Despite the milestone, some users have reported migration issues, such as gateway failures and lost automation rules. Chief Architect Vincent Koc described the release as a milestone that represents 50% of all pull requests in the project's history.