OpenClaw surges in popularity as China's top AI assistant

OpenClaw has rapidly gained traction in China, emerging as a leading AI assistant that operates as an autonomous personal manager rather than a traditional query-and-response platform. Launched globally in November 2025 by Austrian developer Peter Steinberger, this open-source AI tool has garnered over 250,000 stars on GitHub, making it the most-starred project on the platform. The unique term "raising lobsters," coined by users due to its lobster logo, reflects the growing interest in training and utilizing OpenClaw, despite its technical setup posing challenges for general users.

The surge in popularity has also led to a burgeoning market for installation services, with providers offering setup, debugging, and user guidance at varying price points. As tech firms scramble to develop competing products, OpenClaw's advanced agent workflow and capabilities highlight the potential of AI automation in personal management. However, the complexity of its setup may necessitate further developer tooling and integrations to enhance accessibility, as users navigate the intricacies of API and SDK functionalities.