Why Choose ZeroClaw?
ZeroClaw is the right choice when you want speed, simplicity, and lower costs.
- 1Sub-10ms startup time
Rust binary starts almost instantly — no Node.js boot overhead.
- 2256MB memory footprint
4x less RAM than OpenClaw (1GB). Runs on smaller, cheaper VMs.
- 310x lower running cost
Less compute = less money. Ideal for simple, focused agents.
- 422+ model providers
Supports all major AI models through direct APIs and OpenRouter.
- 5TOML-based configuration
Simple, human-readable config files. No complex plugin systems.
Choose OpenClaw instead if you need 50+ integrations, MCP support, or community skills from ClawHub.
Step 1: Create Your Bot
You'll need a bot token from Telegram or Discord.
- 1For Telegram: message @BotFather with /newbot, follow prompts, copy the token
- 2For Discord: go to the Developer Portal, create an app, get the bot token
Step 2: Start the Deploy Wizard
Log in to ClawMate and start a new deployment.
- 1Go to clawmate.wtf → Dashboard → Deploy
- 2Enter a name for your agent
- 3Select "ZeroClaw" as the framework
- 4Choose Local Docker or Cloud VM deployment target
Step 3: Select AI Model and API Key
Pick the brain for your agent.
- 1Select your provider: Anthropic, OpenAI, Groq, or OpenRouter
- 2Choose a model (Claude Haiku 4.5 or Groq Llama recommended for ZeroClaw's speed profile)
- 3Paste your API key
- 4(Optional) Add fallback models for automatic retry
For the fastest possible agent, pair ZeroClaw with Groq Llama 3.3 70B — Rust runtime + Groq's LPU inference = sub-second responses.
Step 4: Connect Channel and Deploy
Connect your bot and go live.
- 1Select Telegram or Discord and paste the bot token
- 2Configure DM policy (open or restricted)
- 3Customize the system prompt
- 4Configure security (exec sandbox ON, network access OFF by default)
- 5Click Deploy — live in ~15-30 seconds
OpenClaw vs ZeroClaw
Not sure which framework to choose? Here's a quick comparison.
- 1OpenClaw: Full-featured, 50+ integrations, MCP support, community skills, 1GB RAM, 30-60s startup
- 2ZeroClaw: Ultra-fast, minimal overhead, TOML config, 256MB RAM, <10ms startup, 10x cheaper
- 3Use OpenClaw when: You need complex skills, GitHub/Gmail/Notion integrations, or community plugins
- 4Use ZeroClaw when: You want speed, simplicity, and low cost for focused agents