What Is ClawHub?
ClawHub (clawhub.ai) is the official skill registry for the OpenClaw AI framework — analogous to npm for Node.js, or PyPI for Python.
Simply put:
- OpenClaw is the AI Agent framework (the engine)
- Skills are capability modules that extend OpenClaw (plugins)
- ClawHub is the centralized storage and distribution platform for all Skills (the app store)
As of March 2026, ClawHub hosts 19,000+ community-contributed skills covering everything from everyday productivity to specialized automation — the primary source for expanding your OpenClaw agent's capabilities.
ClawHub's Core Features
1. Skill Search and Discovery
ClawHub provides skill search, category browsing, and ranking charts:
Main skill categories:
| Category | Example Skills |
|---|---|
| Productivity | Document summarizer, email drafter, task manager |
| Search & Research | Web search, academic paper retrieval, news aggregator |
| Workflow Automation | Scheduled tasks, data scraping, form filling |
| Communication & Collaboration | Telegram Bot, Slack integration, meeting notes |
| Code & Development | Code review, debug assistant, documentation generator |
| Images & Media | Image recognition, OCR, video summarizer |
2. One-Click Install and Version Management
Installing ClawHub skills from Openclaw Desktop or the command line is straightforward:
# Search for skills
openclaw skills search "web summary"
# Install a skill
openclaw skills install web-summarizer
# Update all skills
openclaw skills update --all
# List installed skills
openclaw skills list
3. Publishing and Contributing Skills
Any developer can submit their own skills to ClawHub:
- Write the skill following the OpenClaw Skills spec (YAML config)
- Register a developer account on ClawHub
- Submit the skill package — it goes live after passing basic automated checks
- Community ratings and feedback help the skill gain more visibility
ClawHub's open submission model is why it has more skills than SkillHub.
4. Skill Backup and Migration
ClawHub provides cloud backup for your skill configuration:
- Sync your installed skill list to your ClawHub account
- One-click restore all skills on a new device
- Share skill configurations across a team for a consistent environment
How to Use ClawHub in Openclaw Desktop
Option 1: GUI (Recommended)
- Open Openclaw Desktop → Skill Store
- Type a skill name or description in the search box
- Click a skill card to view details and ratings
- Click Install — skill deploys automatically, no restart needed
Option 2: Command Line
openclaw skills install <skill-name>
Useful for batch installs or scripted deployments.
Top ClawHub Skills to Install (2026 Picks)
The highest-rated and most useful skills from the community:
Core Productivity
| Skill | Description | Install Command |
|---|---|---|
| web-search | Real-time web search + AI summary | openclaw skills install web-search |
| pdf-reader | Full PDF parsing and Q&A | openclaw skills install pdf-reader |
| code-runner | Python/JS sandboxed execution | openclaw skills install code-runner |
| image-ocr | Image text recognition | openclaw skills install image-ocr |
Automation Tools
| Skill | Description | Install Command |
|---|---|---|
| browser-auto | Web automation | openclaw skills install browser-auto |
| cron-scheduler | Scheduled task trigger | openclaw skills install cron-scheduler |
| telegram-notify | Send Telegram notifications | openclaw skills install telegram-notify |
Security Considerations
ClawHub uses an open submission model. Security teams (including Cisco) have previously identified 820+ malicious skills (roughly 20% of the total), with behaviors including:
- Data exfiltration: Sending conversation content to third-party servers
- Privilege escalation: Attempting to access system resources beyond the skill's scope
- Prompt injection: Modifying the AI's system prompt to alter model behavior
How to Reduce Risk
- Prioritize officially certified skills (marked with ✓)
- Check install count and rating: Skills with 1,000+ installs and 4.0+ rating are relatively trustworthy
- Use SkillHub's curated list: Tencent SkillHub's Top 50 has stricter security auditing
- Review skill permissions: Before installing, check what system permissions the skill requests — reject anything unreasonable
- Test in a sandbox: Run unfamiliar skills in a test environment first
ClawHub vs SkillHub Detailed Comparison
| Feature | ClawHub (Official) | SkillHub (Tencent) |
|---|---|---|
| URL | clawhub.ai | skillhub.tencent.com |
| Operator | OpenClaw official | Tencent |
| Skill count | 19,000+ | 13,000+ (curated) |
| Download speed (China) | Slow (overseas servers) | Fast (Tencent CDN) |
| Security audit | Basic automated checks | Manual + automated dual review |
| Curated picks | Community rating chart | Official Top 50 certified list |
| Smart search | Keyword search | Natural language Find Skills |
| Developer publishing | Open submission | Application review required |
| Framework compatibility | Primarily OpenClaw | OpenClaw / Qclaw / WorkBuddy |
Recommendation:
- Want the largest selection and newest skills → ClawHub (official, fastest updates)
- Want security and fast downloads → SkillHub (Tencent, stricter auditing)
- Best practice: use both — install from SkillHub's curated list for daily use, search ClawHub when you need something specific
FAQ
Are ClawHub skills free?
The vast majority are free. Some developers set paid licenses for high-quality commercial skills, but basic-functionality skills are almost entirely free.
Can I publish my own skills to ClawHub?
Yes. Write your skill following the OpenClaw Skills development spec (YAML + handler script), register a ClawHub account, and submit. Once approved, users worldwide can install it.
Does ClawHub require an account to download?
No account needed to search and install public skills. An account is only required for cloud backup of your skill list or publishing your own skills.
Does Openclaw Desktop default to ClawHub or SkillHub?
Openclaw Desktop defaults to ClawHub (the official source). To switch to SkillHub for faster downloads in China, go to Settings → Skill Marketplace → Skill Source and change it. Multiple skill sources can be added simultaneously.