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OpenClaw sounds great in theory. You get to run your own AI agent, connect it to tools you’re already using, and automate your day. But there’s a catch – running it meant most people had to pay for the API usage of hosted LLMs or power a free model on their own device.So when Sam Altman wrote on X we could sign in to OpenClaw using our existing ChatGPT account, I had to find out if this made OpenClaw actually worth using.you can sign in to openclaw with your chatgpt account now and use your subscription there!happy lobstering.May 1, 2026Given the safety concerns raised about OpenClaw leaking email addresses and giving hackers access to users’ systems, I quickly ruled out installing it on my main device. Another option was hosting it on a virtual private server (VPS) and with several one-click install packages on offer, the choice was clear.Installing OpenClawA quick Google search turned up several providers offering OpenClaw hosting solutions. Eventually I settled on trying the one-click install offer on Hostinger ($21.99 for a one-month plan) which looked straightforward and actually is for users paying for API access. Getting ChatGPT to work using an OAuth flow took some extra setup. This refers to a similar sign-in method when apps ask to connect to your Google account.Some users did point out that they’d already been using the method Altman described through OpenAI’s Codex, which is the route I also had to follow. While it’s not clear what, if anything, changed, I did eventually manage to make it work.It’s worth saying upfront that if all you’re looking for is a simple chatbot, this is probably not for you. ChatGPT’s own interface is faster, cleaner, and easier to use. OpenClaw only starts to make sense when you stop using it like ChatGPT.There are of course exceptions. For instance, if you want to bring your OpenClaw agent into other platforms like Discord or Telegram. You can add it to a group chat — a family thread or a club channel — where anyone can call on it for quick questions like, “What time are we meeting again?”Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.Do make sure the agent is scoped to that channel or workspace, rather than giving it broad access to your private conversations, files or tools. Otherwise, you risk the agent surfacing information in a place you didn’t intend.Where OpenClaw shines
