# OpenClaw vs Claude Code: Complete Feature Map

Every major OpenClaw capability, mapped to its Claude Code equivalent.

## Verdict legend

| Icon | Verdict | Meaning |
|------|---------|---------|
| ✅ | Full match | Claude Code achieves the same outcome |
| ~  | Different approach | Achievable but requires more setup or different architecture |
| ❌ | Gap | Not possible today without significant workarounds |

## The map (20 capabilities)

| # | Capability | OpenClaw | Claude Code | Verdict |
|---|-----------|----------|-------------|---------|
| 1 | Agent Runtime | Long-running daemon, tool exec, streaming | CLI agent loop, tool exec, streaming | ✅ |
| 2 | Shell Execution | `exec` tool, PTY, background, elevated | Bash tool with permission system | ✅ |
| 3 | File I/O | read, write, edit, apply_patch | Read, Write, Edit, Glob, Grep | ✅ |
| 4 | Web Search | Brave Search, Firecrawl fallback | WebSearch + WebFetch (built-in) | ✅ |
| 5 | Browser | CDP/Playwright, screenshots, act | Playwright MCP (same engine) | ✅ |
| 6 | Memory | Daily logs + vector search | CLAUDE.md hierarchy + auto-memory | ~ |
| 7 | Multi-Agent | Sub-agents, mesh, agent-to-agent | Agent Teams, SendMessage, worktree | ✅ |
| 8 | Messaging | 15+ native channels | MCP + Telegram native (v2.1.80) | ~ |
| 9 | Model Providers | 20+ providers, failover | Opus/Sonnet/Haiku + overrides | ~ |
| 10 | Cron/Automation | HEARTBEAT.md, cron, webhooks | /loop, CronCreate, /schedule, hooks | ✅ |
| 11 | Plugin System | openclaw.plugin.json, 20+ hooks | plugin.json, hooks, commands, agents | ✅ |
| 12 | Skills | SKILL.md, ClawHub (5,700+) | Skills + marketplace (2,300+) | ✅ |
| 13 | Security | Docker sandbox, DM pairing | Permission modes, hooks, sandbox | ~ |
| 14 | Voice/TTS | Talk Mode, wake word | Via MCP/scripts (not built-in) | ~ |
| 15 | Companion Apps | macOS, iOS, Android native | VS Code, JetBrains, Desktop, Web | ~ |
| 16 | Gateway | WebSocket server, Control UI | No equivalent (Remote Control partial) | ❌ |
| 17 | Configuration | JSON5, hot-reload, profiles | settings.json hierarchy, CLAUDE.md | ✅ |
| 18 | Canvas/A2UI | Agent-driven HTML workspace | HTML generation + Playwright preview | ❌ |
| 19 | Chat Commands | /status, /model, /think, /mesh | Built-in + custom skills | ✅ |
| 20 | CLI | onboard, gateway, tui, doctor | claude CLI with subcommands | ✅ |

## Score

| Verdict | Count | % |
|---------|-------|---|
| ✅ Full match | 11 | 55% |
| ~ Different approach | 7 | 35% |
| ❌ Gap | 2 | 10% |

## What the gaps mean

**Gateway/Control Plane (❌):** OpenClaw runs a WebSocket server
with a control UI, webchat, and an OpenAI-compatible API. Claude
Code has no equivalent. Remote Control (research preview) partially
addresses phone access but is not a programmable gateway.

**Canvas/A2UI (❌):** OpenClaw's canvas is an interactive,
agent-driven HTML workspace served by the gateway. Claude Code can
generate HTML files and preview them via Playwright, but there is
no persistent, interactive canvas surface.

These are real gaps. They matter most for always-on automation and
visual agent interfaces. For development and task execution, they
are less relevant.

## Version requirements

Minimum Claude Code version for full coverage: **v2.1.81**

| Feature | Version | OpenClaw equivalent |
|---------|---------|-------------------|
| Agent Teams | v2.1.32 | Multi-agent mesh |
| Auto-memory | v2.1.32 | Vector memory |
| Channels + Telegram | v2.1.80 | Multi-channel messaging |
| Permission relay | v2.1.81 | DM approval |
| /loop + CronCreate | v2.1.71 | HEARTBEAT.md + cron |
| Worktree isolation | v2.1.50 | Agent sandboxing |
| disallowedTools | v2.1.78 | Tool deny lists |
| Background agents | v2.1.49 | Sub-agent spawning |
| HTTP hooks | v2.1.63 | Webhook integrations |
| Plugin marketplace | v2.1.6 | ClawHub |
| managed-settings.d | v2.1.84 | Enterprise policy |