OpenClaude: what it is, how to install it, and what to check first

OpenClaude summary

Entity

this guide covers the `Gitlawb/openclaude` repository and `@gitlawb/openclaude` npm package. Other projects and sites use similar names.

Purpose

one terminal agent workflow across OpenAI-compatible APIs, Gemini, GitHub Models, Codex routes, Ollama, and other supported backends.

Requirements

current npm installation requires Node.js 22 or later. Source builds use Bun as documented by the project.

Cost

the package may be free to install, but cloud providers, gateways, hosting, local hardware, and operations can cost money.

Quality

changing the model changes tool use, context, latency, accuracy, and reliability. Provider support does not mean identical behavior.

Risk

the agent can read files, edit code, run commands, use MCP tools, and contact providers. Treat permissions and credentials as production security decisions.

Recommendation

verify the package, use a current version, isolate the pilot, keep secrets out, require review, and expand access only after observed evidence.

Confirm which OpenClaude you mean

OpenClaude is an ambiguous name. Search results include more than one repository, a Rust assistant claim, community frameworks, and unrelated sites. The widely referenced coding-agent project currently identifies itself through the `Gitlawb/openclaude` GitHub repository, the `@gitlawb/openclaude` npm scope, and `openclaude.gitlawb.com`.

1. 1Open the repository from a trusted bookmark or the package metadata, not an advertisement or copied command.
2. 2Check that the npm scope is exactly `@gitlawb/openclaude` before installing.
3. 3Review the current README, release notes, security page, license, and open issues.
4. 4Compare the package version and repository tag before trusting a tutorial.
5. 5Do not enter provider keys into a similarly named website or installer unless you have independently verified it.

Verify the current project identity and installation command in the Gitlawb/openclaude repository.

What OpenClaude does

OpenClaude provides a terminal-first agent loop. The selected model can inspect a codebase, call tools, edit files, run commands, use subagents, connect to MCP servers, and stream progress. Current documentation also covers sessions, background jobs, provider profiles, a VS Code extension, web tools, and a headless server path.

Provider choice

route one interface to supported cloud APIs, gateways, local servers, or existing authentication paths.

Tool workflow

combine prompting with file reads, edits, search, shell commands, agents, tasks, MCP, and web access.

Sessions

continue, resume, fork, or run non-interactive tasks in the background.

Configuration

save provider profiles and project or user settings outside the official Claude Code paths.

Extensibility

use slash commands, skills, MCP servers, provider routes, and development interfaces documented by the project.

What it is not

• The project is not a new foundation model. The chosen provider supplies the model and inference.
• Claude.ai and Anthropic's official Claude Code CLI are separate products.
• Provider differences prevent a guarantee that other models will reproduce Claude Code behavior.
• Some configurations are not free. Provider calls, gateways, compute, storage, and support may have costs.
• Application prompts do not create a security boundary. The process still operates with the access available to its runtime and tools.
• A public repository is not automatic approval for use with company source code.

OpenClaude vs Claude Code

Publisher

OpenClaude is an independent community project. Claude Code comes from Anthropic.

Models

OpenClaude focuses on multiple cloud and local backends. Anthropic controls Claude Code's supported model and provider paths.

Compatibility

OpenClaude aims to preserve a familiar agent workflow, but its README warns that provider behavior is not identical.

Configuration

current OpenClaude uses its own `.openclaude` paths and says it does not read `.claude` project directories by default.

Authentication

OpenClaude supports several provider profiles and routes. Anthropic-supported account and cloud-provider configurations apply to Claude Code.

Support

OpenClaude relies on community documentation, issues, discussions, and partners. Anthropic provides Claude Code documentation and commercial support channels.

Governance

each team must evaluate release ownership, security response, licensing, maintenance, and roadmap for its use case.

Read the licensing statement carefully

The current README says OpenClaude originated from the Claude Code codebase and was modified for multiple providers. It also says the MIT license applies to contributor modifications while the derived Claude Code remains Anthropic's. That is more specific than a simple claim that every line is MIT-licensed open source.

• Use the repository license and attribution instead of relying on a video title or social post.
• Ask counsel to review redistribution, modification, internal-use, trademark, and notice requirements when they matter.
• Record the exact version and license files evaluated for procurement or company adoption.
• Describe the project accurately rather than calling it official, Anthropic-endorsed, or an open-source Claude model.

How to install OpenClaude for a controlled test

The current project quick start requires Node.js 22 or later and installs from its scoped npm package. Use a disposable user environment or isolated development machine. Avoid running the first session inside a valuable repository or a shell that exposes broad credentials.

1. 1Check Node with `node --version` and confirm the major version is at least 22.
2. 2Inspect package metadata with `npm view @gitlawb/openclaude dist-tags version repository`.
3. 3Read current releases and security advisories. Choose a version that includes required fixes.
4. 4Install the current scoped package with `npm install -g @gitlawb/openclaude@latest` only after verification.
5. 5Run `openclaude --version` and compare the output with the package version you intended to install.
6. 6Prepare a disposable Git repository containing non-sensitive sample code and tests.
7. 7Start `openclaude`, then use `/provider` to configure a least-privilege test provider profile.
8. 8Ask for a read-only explanation first. Review requested tools before allowing a small reversible edit.
9. 9Run tests, inspect the diff, check network and file access, and remove the environment if behavior is unclear.

Keep provider credentials narrow

A provider key can expose spend, data, models, or organizational resources. Where supported, issue a separate key or account for the pilot. Set budgets and alerts. Limit scopes, projects, models, regions, and retention. Revoke the key after the test if ongoing use is not approved.

• Keep production secrets and personal all-purpose keys out of the pilot by using a separate credential.
• Keep `.env`, cloud credentials, SSH keys, signing keys, browser sessions, and password stores outside the pilot environment.
• Verify where profiles store credentials and how file permissions are set.
• Check the provider's data-use, retention, training, region, subprocessors, and deletion terms.
• Assume prompts can include code, paths, terminal output, diffs, errors, and tool results.

Test provider and model together

Good chat answers do not prove reliable tool selection, structured calls, long context, repository navigation, or recovery. According to the provider notes, small local models can struggle with long multi-step flows, and supported providers differ. Evaluate the exact model, quantization, context, endpoint, latency, and tool path you plan to use.

1. 1Explain the repository without editing it and cite the files used.
2. 2Make one constrained change with an existing test and no new dependency.
3. 3Handle a failed command without broadening scope or hiding the error.
4. 4Respect a denied tool and complete the task through an allowed path.
5. 5Resume the session and restate prior decisions accurately.
6. 6Report token, request, gateway, and infrastructure cost where available.
7. 7Repeat the test enough times to expose inconsistent tool behavior.

Check security advisories before every rollout

OpenClaude has published security history. Public records include a high-severity path-traversal sandbox bypass and a moderate MCP OAuth callback denial-of-service issue. NVD and GitLab records identify version 0.5.1 as the fix boundary for the reported pre-0.5.1 issues. Many newer versions have followed, but a current version is not proof that every risk is known or fixed.

• Check the repository Security tab, NVD, package advisories, release notes, and dependency audit for the exact version.
• Use operating-system or container isolation as the real boundary. Application permission prompts are not enough on their own.
• Start with read-only source and no network, deployment, cloud, package publishing, or secret access where possible.
• Require a human checkpoint before commits, pushes, pull requests, releases, destructive commands, or external messages.
• Log tool calls and changes, but protect logs because they can contain code, paths, output, and secrets.
• Patch quickly through a staged update process and retest provider, permissions, MCP, and configuration behavior.

Open the current GitHub security page and advisories for Gitlawb/openclaude.

Run a least-privilege pilot

1. 1Define one low-risk task, success criteria, time limit, cost ceiling, and stop condition.
2. 2Use a disposable repository with synthetic data and no production credentials.
3. 3Pin the agent version, provider, model, configuration, and dependency state.
4. 4Allow only the files, commands, network destinations, and tools needed for the task.
5. 5Record prompts, approvals, calls, diffs, tests, denials, errors, duration, and cost.
6. 6Have a second person review the diff and the access used, not only the final answer.
7. 7Repeat with a slightly harder task only after the first result is correct and explainable.
8. 8Adopt, constrain, or reject based on evidence from the intended environment.

When OpenClaude may fit

• You need one experimental terminal workflow across several providers or local models.
• Your team can audit source, versions, dependencies, licenses, permissions, and provider behavior.
• A disposable or isolated environment can contain agent and model failures.
• Community support and rapid releases are acceptable for the use case.
• You can keep a human review and tested software delivery process around every change.

When to avoid or delay adoption

• The team assumes OpenClaude is an official free version of Claude Code.
• Licensing or provenance has not passed the organization's review.
• The only test environment contains regulated data, valuable secrets, or production access.
• The chosen local model cannot use tools reliably, and errors are hard to observe.
• No owner can monitor advisories, releases, dependencies, providers, and configuration changes.
• The workflow requires warranties, support, compliance evidence, or stability the project does not provide.

Use Better Design's Claude Code project-instructions guide to understand the official tool's repository context pattern.

Frequently asked questions

Verify before trust

OpenClaude can help a capable team that needs a model-neutral terminal agent and can manage the extra governance. Confirm the exact project and inspect licensing and advisories. Isolate the first run, narrow credentials, test the provider and model together, and keep every code change reviewable.