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Goclaw — smallnest

Goclaw is an open-source Go framework for building AI assistant applications, combining language-model providers with agent tools, Markdown skills, persistent sessions, messaging channels and a WebSocket gateway.

Explore the practical guide ↓

Independent OpenViST project profile, based on linked sources.

Goclaw — smallnest — OpenViST project profile in Agent Frameworks.
OpenViST project illustration. See the linked sources for product details.
Understand the project

Practical overview

When it fits

Use Goclaw when building a Go-based assistant and its documented tool, skill, provider or messaging components are relevant to the application.

Who it is for

  • Go developers building AI assistant or agent applications.
  • Teams looking to configure agent tools, skills and messaging channels in a self-hosted framework.

Documented uses

  • Build an AI assistant that can use filesystem, shell, web or browser tools.
  • Extend an agent with Markdown skills that can be gated on installed environment binaries.
  • Connect an assistant to supported language-model providers and messaging channels.
  • Configure persistent sessions, scheduled tasks or a WebSocket gateway.
Before you choose

Requirements & limits

The repository is public and identifies the project as open source under the MIT license.

  • Goclaw is implemented in Go and provides a Go build path.
  • The README lists multiple model providers and messaging channels; each application still needs its own configuration.
  • Skills are Markdown instructions injected into the system prompt and use existing tools.
  • Skill loading supports environment-based gating and directory precedence.
  • The README lists Linux, macOS and Windows support.

Check current requirements in the official documentation. Source-based guidance does not mean OpenViST has run or independently tested this project.

Source-based practical guide

Add a Markdown skill

Create a skill file and place it in a directory Goclaw checks for skills.

Before you start

  • A Goclaw workspace or project directory.
  • A skill directory containing a SKILL.md file.

Steps

  1. Create a directory for the skill, such as my-skill.

  2. Add a SKILL.md file with a name and description in its front matter and instructions for the agent.

  3. Optionally specify required binaries in the OpenClaw metadata, such as python3.

  4. Place the skill directory in ~/.goclaw/skills/, ${WORKSPACE}/skills/, or ./skills/; later-loaded copies of a same-named skill take precedence.

Expected outcome

The skill is available for Goclaw to load, subject to its environment gating requirements.

Guide limitations

  • A skill supplies instructions for using existing tools; it does not itself add a new tool implementation.
  • The documented loading order gives the current-directory skills folder the highest priority.
Documentation 1 ↗
Source-based practical guide

Build the Go program

Compile Goclaw from its repository using the README's basic build steps.

Before you start

  • Go development tooling.
  • A local copy of the Goclaw repository.

Steps

  1. Clone https://github.com/smallnest/goclaw.git.

  2. Change into the goclaw directory.

  3. Run go mod tidy to install dependencies.

  4. Run go build -o goclaw . to compile the Go program.

Expected outcome

A compiled executable named goclaw.

Guide limitations

  • The README separately identifies make build-full as the build option that includes the UI.
  • These steps describe the documented build process and do not establish a successful build in a particular environment.
Documentation 1 ↗
Evidence and transparency

Sources & review

Official repository ↗
Source record details
Source availability
Active
Sources checked
15 October 2026
Original website title
smallnest/goclaw · Official homepage title · retained in its source language
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