Key takeaways
- Single-file architecture (one index.js) makes deployment and customization trivially simple
- Built on official Claude Agent SDK — first-party integration, not reverse-engineered
- Smart automation features (personality adaptation, mood tracking, skill discovery) differentiate from minimal alternatives
FAQ
What is BabyClaw?
A lightweight, single-file alternative to OpenClaw built on the official Claude Agent SDK. Runs on a VPS and is controlled entirely through Telegram.
How much does BabyClaw cost?
Free and open source (MIT license). You pay for your VPS (~$5-20/mo) and Claude subscription or API costs.
Who competes with BabyClaw?
OpenClaw (full-featured), Pi (minimal core), NullClaw (smallest footprint), ZeptoClaw (balanced security).
Executive Summary
BabyClaw is a lightweight, single-file alternative to OpenClaw built on the official Claude Agent SDK. It runs on a VPS and is controlled entirely through Telegram — send text, voice messages, or images, and Claude responds. Unlike minimal alternatives focused purely on size, BabyClaw includes smart automation features like personality adaptation, mood tracking, and skill discovery.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Developer | Yogesh (@yogesharc) |
| Language | JavaScript (Node.js) |
| License | MIT |
| GitHub Stars | ~1 ★ (new) |
| Architecture | Single file (index.js) |
Product Overview
BabyClaw positions itself as "Claude Code on a VPS, controlled from Telegram." The core insight: most personal AI agent users don't need 50+ messaging integrations — they need one reliable channel that works everywhere. Telegram provides mobile + desktop + web access with rich media support.
The single-file architecture is intentional. One index.js means you can read the entire codebase, understand exactly what's happening, and modify it freely. No framework abstractions, no database dependencies, no complex build systems.
Key Capabilities
| Capability | Description |
|---|---|
| Voice messages | Send voice in Telegram, auto-transcribed via Whisper |
| File delivery | Ask Claude for any file and it sends directly to Telegram |
| Persistent memory | Conversations auto-save, context survives session resets |
| Personality adaptation | Mirrors your communication style over time (cron updates every 3 days) |
| Mood tracking | Silently logs mood shifts, tracks patterns |
| Skill discovery | Daily scan suggests relevant skills from ClawdHub/skills.sh |
| Pattern detection | Finds automation opportunities, suggests cron jobs |
| Browser capabilities | Opens URLs, interacts with pages via agent-browser |
Memory System
BabyClaw has a three-layer memory architecture:
- Session continuity — Full context within a session, persists across bot restarts
- History — Long-term memory saved as dated markdown files when starting new sessions
- Recent conversations — Rolling list of last 50 history entries loaded into every session
Additional tracking includes mood logs (detecting emotional patterns) and open threads (unresolved topics that resurface when relevant).
Technical Architecture
┌─────────────┐ ┌─────────────┐ ┌─────────────┐
│ Telegram │────▶│ VPS │────▶│ Claude SDK │
│ (mobile) │◀────│ index.js │◀────│ (API) │
└─────────────┘ └─────────────┘ └─────────────┘
│
┌──────┴──────┐
│ workspace │
│ + history │
│ + crons │
└─────────────┘
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Deployment | VPS (any provider, Ubuntu recommended) |
| Runtime | Node.js + tmux |
| Model | Claude (Sonnet/Opus, switchable on the fly) |
| Voice transcription | OpenAI Whisper API |
| Browser | agent-browser for web interaction |
Built-in Crons
- Pattern detector — Analyzes conversations, suggests automation opportunities
- Skills suggester — Searches ClawdHub/skills.sh for relevant skills
- Personality updater — Updates Claude's communication style every 3 days
- Daily digest — End-of-day summary sent to Telegram
Strengths
- Radical simplicity — One file, no framework, no database. You can read the entire codebase in an hour
- Official SDK — Built on Claude Agent SDK, not reverse-engineered APIs
- Smart automation — Personality adaptation and mood tracking go beyond basic assistants
- Voice-first option — Send voice messages naturally, transcription is automatic
- Self-improving — Crons continuously analyze usage and suggest improvements
Cautions
- Telegram-only — No WhatsApp, Discord, Slack, or iMessage support
- Very early — ~1 GitHub star, single developer, new project
- VPS required — More setup than managed alternatives
- Limited integrations — No MCP support, no skills ecosystem yet
- No isolation — Claude has full access to workspace and VPS
Pricing & Licensing
| Component | Cost |
|---|---|
| BabyClaw | Free (MIT license) |
| VPS | ~$5-20/mo (any provider) |
| Claude | Subscription (Pro/Max) or API usage |
| Whisper | OpenAI API usage (optional, for voice) |
Total: ~$25-50/mo depending on usage and VPS choice.
Competitive Positioning
| Alternative | BabyClaw Advantage |
|---|---|
| OpenClaw | Simpler (1 file vs 430K+ LOC), easier to understand and modify |
| Pi | More features (voice, crons, mood tracking) vs Pi's minimal 4-tool core |
| NullClaw | Smarter (auto-improving crons) vs pure efficiency focus |
| ZeptoClaw | Simpler setup, no Rust compilation required |
When to Choose BabyClaw
- You want a single-file codebase you can fully understand
- Telegram is your primary messaging app
- You value smart automation (personality adaptation, mood tracking)
- You're comfortable with VPS deployment
When to Choose Alternatives
- OpenClaw — Need 50+ messaging integrations
- Pi — Want minimal core to build on
- NullClaw/ZeroClaw — Security or efficiency is top priority
- Lindy — Want managed solution with zero setup
Bottom Line
BabyClaw is for developers who want Claude Code accessible from their phone without the complexity of OpenClaw. The single-file architecture is genuinely refreshing — you can read and understand everything in one sitting. The smart automation features (personality adaptation, mood tracking, skill discovery) add real value beyond basic chat.
Recommended for: Developers who use Telegram and want a simple, hackable AI assistant with smart automation.
Not recommended for: Users who need multiple messaging channels, enterprise features, or managed hosting.
Outlook: Early stage but promising approach. The single-file philosophy has legs — expect clones and variations as developers discover they don't need 430K lines of code for a personal assistant.
Research by Ry Walker Research • methodology
Sources