You want actions, not just answers
Tasks should run, not just be described.
Decision
When Should You Use OpenClaw (and When You Shouldn't)
Use OpenClaw when you need AI to execute real tasks reliably. Skip it when you only need chat or zero-setup tools.
Decision rule: pick OpenClaw when you need execution, not just advice.
Fit
OpenClaw is a great fit if...
You need tool orchestration
APIs, scripts, files, and databases must work together.
You need long-running automation
Always-on monitoring and recurring jobs.
You care about where it runs
Local, cloud, or hybrid control matters.
Avoid
OpenClaw is probably not for you if...
- You only want to chat
- You cannot grant permissions
- You do not want to maintain a service
- You need instant results
- You only need one-off text output
Checklist
Quick Decision Checklist
- I can manage tokens or keys safely
- I'm okay with some setup
- I need recurring tasks
- I can monitor basic logs
- I want control over where it runs
- I need reliable execution
If you checked 3+ items, OpenClaw likely makes sense.
Scenarios
Real Scenarios
Use OpenClaw
- Weekly reports and summaries
- Monitoring and alerting
- Repository maintenance
- Multi-step workflows
Don't use OpenClaw
- Brainstorming only
- Writing-only tasks
- Simple IFTTT triggers
- One-off content requests
Next
Next step: choose local or cloud
FAQ
FAQ
Can I start without coding?
You should be comfortable with basic setup and permissions, even if you don't code daily.
Is it overkill for simple tasks?
Yes. If a task is one-off or purely text, simpler tools are better.
Do I need to keep it running all the time?
Only if your workflows require it. Otherwise scheduled runs are fine.