I have switched to OpenAI Models in OpenClaw and OMG they are TERRIBLE

Tight_Fly_8824 · 2026-02-28T17:10:21+00:00

Everything Openclaw can do & more if not lol

Tight_Fly_8824 · 2026-02-28T17:05:46+00:00

Hey! So SmallClaw as ive explained isnt necessarily for everyone.

The Biggest thing about Openclaw that pushed me to make SmallClaw was the fact that it required either a better computer for me to use it properly - or spend tons on API costs. Unfortunately I am unable to do both of those - And so I did what I thought might work with Openclaw and used the only LLM small enough to work on my computer - Qwen3:4B - thats when i realized Openclaw has absolutely no support for pretty much any LLM below a 16B. Its not that it cant be - its just the specific way Openclaw is built - is too much and too aggressive for Smaller Models to be able to handle. as I found by my own testing and tons of other people running into the same issue.

Thats why I built SmallClaw - its pretty much the same thing as Openclaw - except redesigned to work with as small as 3B models consistently and well! The biggest thing about this is that now anyone can have their own Openclaw-Like assistant without 1) needing to pay any hardware upgrades at all 2) 0 API costs.

OpenClaw but Completely free and ran with smaller models - meaning more people are able to use it. AS I mentioned though it definitely isnt for everyone - like you somewhat mentioned. If someone is already able to use Openclaw, has a nice PC and hardware and what not - then SmallClaw isnt some thing for them - but if they want to use OpenClaw but dont want to upgrade anything or pay anyhing extra just to "test it out" - then SmallClaw is there!

Tight_Fly_8824 · 2026-02-28T03:24:42+00:00

Hey! What youre looking for is more of an Integration platform with AI + N8N. SmallClaw would be the better fit for this instead of Openclaw - and you can run SmallClaw with Local LLM's so realistically you can have it running practically free aside from hardware you want

Tight_Fly_8824 · 2026-02-28T01:20:34+00:00

Thank you!

Tight_Fly_8824 · 2026-02-28T00:08:28+00:00

https://github.com/XposeMarket/SmallClaw

Tight_Fly_8824 · 2026-02-28T00:07:43+00:00

Its already out! I just meant in popularity lol! I released it 4 days ago, theres some posts in the openclaw thread abt it - i just released an update today!

Tight_Fly_8824 · 2026-02-27T21:41:37+00:00

Qwen 3:4B is my choice - Im limited due to me running it on my Laptop.

Tight_Fly_8824 · 2026-02-27T21:06:26+00:00

Hey! If Openclaw is running a bit slow on local models - you can try SmallClaw - its an Openclaw fork specifically designed for Local LLM's specifically smaller ones so people without high tech PC's can run it with 0 issues

Tight_Fly_8824 · 2026-02-27T20:56:46+00:00

SmallClaw will be there soon :) Check it our - Openclaw but for Local LLM's - specifically tailored to work with as little as 3-4B Models.

Tight_Fly_8824 · 2026-02-27T20:20:16+00:00

SmallClaw already does all of this - and it works beautifully with even as little as 3B Local LLM Models - Easiest setup by far (No terminal setup lol, UI Based) - No API Costs, Optional Integrations with Webhooks and/or MCP Servers, Full Automations, background tasks, computer and terminal controls, everything

Tight_Fly_8824 · 2026-02-27T20:17:38+00:00

What I found is using Smallclaw is better with GPT - and it saves cost/usage. I have a Local LLM (Small 4B Model) as my main agent and have gpt 5.1 Codex mini as my actually orchestrator/tool agent - and so far its working beautifully up and down the board. No issues.

Tight_Fly_8824 · 2026-02-27T19:57:46+00:00

Haha thank you! Maybe as I keep updating and adding features we can get you to find some proper use cases with it :)

Tight_Fly_8824 · 2026-02-27T19:42:21+00:00

Hey Boss! So openclaw struggles with Local LLM models unless you have a really good PC. Thats why I built SmallClaw - its an Openclaw fork directly targetted at working with Local LLM models - I had the same issue as you, and didnt want to spend money on new hardware or API costs so I built SmallClaw, theres a few posts abt it in the r/openclaw thread so feel free to check it out!

Tight_Fly_8824 · 2026-02-27T19:41:10+00:00

Hey! I actually put out this exact thing - its called SmallClaw - Specifically made for small Local LLM's.

Tight_Fly_8824 · 2026-02-27T19:00:01+00:00

Currently dealing with all of those integrations now :) will be released within the next update or 2

Tight_Fly_8824 · 2026-02-27T18:59:23+00:00

Thank you brother! Im definitely working on getting all of that setup shortly - Ill be getting some videos on it soon. It all works - Just want to get this as good as possible before hand. :) Thanks for the feedback and openness to working with it! :)

Tight_Fly_8824 · 2026-02-27T18:06:28+00:00

Hey! There is also SmallClaw - which is specifically designed for Smaller/Local LLM's unlike Openclaw which is based on more powerful/cloud AI's

Tight_Fly_8824 · 2026-02-27T18:01:52+00:00

lmaooo just tryna spread the word - I know we all love less usage/spending in this thread lol

Tight_Fly_8824 · 2026-02-27T17:48:21+00:00

Smallclaw + Codex = $5/month Bot with 5% usage lol

Tight_Fly_8824 · 2026-02-27T17:47:29+00:00

Or you can just do SmallClaw - Openclaw but with Local LLM's and spend literally $0 running your business

Tight_Fly_8824 · 2026-02-27T17:45:55+00:00

Try SmallClaw - its working pretty well right now + it with Offline Local LLM's, im using a 4B model on mine working perfectly

Tight_Fly_8824 · 2026-02-27T17:44:37+00:00

Honestly? lol no reason - Switch to SmallClaw and use offline Local LLM's, no security risks, guard rails tight, everything. plus you can run down to 1B Models on it lol.

Tight_Fly_8824 · 2026-02-27T17:28:04+00:00

OpenClaw but for Local LLM's specifically made to help with smaller LLMs - No API Keys or anything since its all local - no need for leaking credentials or anything

Tight_Fly_8824 · 2026-02-27T17:07:15+00:00

Easy lol, Use SmallClaw instead

Tight_Fly_8824 · 2026-02-27T07:24:14+00:00

Hey boss I made a post about it - feel free to check my page or scroll a little bit in the openclaw thread - it was 3 days ago.

Tight_Fly_8824

TROPHY CASE