ClawUI

A modern, ChatGPT-style web & desktop client for OpenClaw Gateway.

Quick Start • Features • File Manager • Demo • Desktop App • Configuration • License

Why ClawUI?

OpenClaw's built-in webchat is functional but minimal. ClawUI gives you a full-featured chat interface — session management, rich rendering, tool call inspection, keyboard shortcuts, file management, and deep UI customization — all connecting directly to your Gateway via WebSocket. No extra backend needed.

Quick Start

Prerequisites: Node.js ≥ 22, npm ≥ 10, a running OpenClaw Gateway

git clone https://github.com/Kt-L/clawUI.git
cd clawUI
npm install
npm run dev

Open the URL printed by Vite (default http://localhost:5178), go to Settings, and enter your Gateway URL + token/password. That's it.

Features

Chat

• Streaming AI responses with live thinking animation
• Markdown, syntax-highlighted code blocks, LaTeX math (KaTeX), and tables
• Tool call timeline — collapsed by default, expandable for full args & output; running tools show a pulsing status dot
• File & image attachments with visual preview cards, auto-compression, and size estimation
• Smart text file embedding — text-based attachments (source code, config, markdown, etc.) are decoded and sent inline as <file> tags for better model context; binary files are labeled accordingly
• OpenClaw envelope stripping — user messages are automatically cleaned of gateway-injected metadata (system events, conversation info / sender metadata, timestamps) for a cleaner chat display
• Reply-done sound notifications (built-in tones or custom audio)
• Graceful WebSocket error handling — invalid gateway URLs no longer crash the connection loop

Sessions

• Create, search, switch, and delete sessions from the sidebar
• Session titles and previews are sanitized (envelope metadata stripped) for cleaner display
• History pagination with incremental loading
• Multi-agent support — create sessions bound to specific agents
• Delete spinner animation with visual feedback

File Manager

• Built-in file browser accessible from the sidebar — switch between chat and files with a 3D flip animation
• Browse, preview, edit, upload, download, create folders, and delete files
• Configurable root directories via ~/.openclaw/clawui-fs.json
• Preview support for Markdown (rendered), text/code files, images, and PDFs
• In-browser text file editing with Cmd/Ctrl+S save and unsaved-change indicator
• Drag-and-drop file upload with visual drop overlay
• Sort by name, size, or date; toggle hidden files
• Breadcrumb navigation with root tabs
• Security: all paths are validated and scoped to configured roots (symlink-aware)
• Works in both web (Vite dev server plugin) and desktop (custom claw-fs:// protocol)
• Remote file server support — configure a File Server URL in Settings for cross-device access

Frost & Glow Visual Theme

• Glassmorphism-inspired design with warm-yellow accent palette and refined design tokens
• 3D perspective tilt on session and file cards — hover to see the entire card (border, background, shadow) respond to cursor position with specular glow highlights
• Directional coin-flip animation on session card click — the card flips from the side you clicked
• 3D sidebar flip transition between chat and file views
• Staggered "drawer pop" fly-in animations when switching sessions
• Composer launch impulse and chat thread physics on send
• Smooth sidebar slide-in/collapse, menu entrance, and modal backdrop transitions
• Custom text selection styling with accent-tinted highlight
• Connection status dots with subtle glow rings
• Copy button press animation with success state

Slash Commands

• /status /models /model /think /compact /abort /new /reset and more
• Autocomplete popup with keyboard navigation (↑↓ + Enter/Tab)

Shortcuts

• Configurable app action shortcuts — Toggle Sidebar and New Session with full modifier customization (Cmd/Ctrl/Alt/Shift + key), enable/disable per action
• Up to 5 custom model shortcuts (model + thinking level combo)
• Up to 5 custom agent-session shortcuts

UI Customization

• Font family, size, line height, content width
• Color schemes and themes
• Animation toggle — enable or disable all motion effects (including sidebar flip and card tilt)
• Settings schemes — save & switch between presets
• All changes apply instantly, persisted in localStorage

File Manager

The file manager provides a full file browser alongside the chat interface. Click the Files button in the sidebar to switch views.

Setup: By default, ClawUI serves files from ~/.openclaw/workspace. To customize accessible directories, create ~/.openclaw/clawui-fs.json:

{
  "roots": [
    { "label": "Workspace", "path": "/Users/you/.openclaw/workspace" },
    { "label": "Projects", "path": "/Users/you/projects" }
  ]
}

Desktop: The file manager works natively via the claw-fs:// protocol — no extra server needed.

Remote access: To browse files from a remote machine running the Vite dev server, set the File Server URL in Settings (e.g. http://192.168.1.100:5178).

Demo

record202602190039.mp4

Short walkthrough of the UI

Desktop App

ClawUI supports Electron packaging for a native desktop experience with local image resolution and file system access.

npm run build
npm run desktop:pack          # unpacked app for current OS
npm run desktop:dist:mac      # unsigned macOS .dmg + .zip

See DESKTOP.md for details on macOS Gatekeeper and first-launch instructions.

Download from Releases

Pre-built unsigned macOS desktop build is available on the Releases page.

⚠️ This build is unsigned. macOS Gatekeeper will block the app on first launch. To open it:

1. Right-click the app and choose Open.
2. Confirm the security prompt once.

After the first launch, the app will open normally.

Configuration

Variable	Default	Description
PORT	5178	Vite dev server port
CLAWUI_IMAGE_PROXY_PORT	3000	Local image proxy port (desktop)
OPENCLAW_WORKSPACE_DIR	auto	Override workspace path for desktop runtime

Gateway connection settings (URL, token, password) and File Server URL are configured in the UI under Settings.

Project Structure

src/               React app, components, and client logic
src/components/    Chat view, session sidebar, file manager, settings modal
src/lib/           Gateway client, markdown renderer, UI settings, utilities
src/hooks/         Custom React hooks (e.g. useCardTilt for 3D tilt effect)
electron/          Desktop main/preload bridge, local image & file system protocols
scripts/           Runtime and environment checks
vite-fs-plugin.ts  Vite dev server plugin for file system REST API

Disclaimer & Status

⚠️ This project is an AI-assisted rapid development experiment.

Because it was built quickly with the help of AI, the codebase may contain bugs, edge cases, or unoptimized architecture. It is published strictly for learning, inspiration, and reference purposes.

License

MIT