Open sourcePython · ≈50k stars · MIT
nanobot (HKUDS)
Ultra-lightweight, self-hosted personal AI agent framework in Python.
HKUDS/nanobot
Maintained by HKUDS (Data Intelligence Lab @ HKU)
nanobot, from the HKU Data Intelligence Lab in Hong Kong, is an MIT-licensed, ultra-lightweight, self-hosted personal agent framework in Python. It runs in a browser WebUI, the terminal or chat apps: Telegram, Discord, Slack, WeChat, Feishu, Teams, email, Mattermost and Linear. Built-in tools cover shell, web search and fetch, Office files, MCP, cron and multi-agent delegation. Session history and long-term memory ('Dream') persist across sessions, and it supports long-horizon goals and scheduled automations. A Python SDK and an OpenAI-compatible API are included, and it works with hosted or local models.
Pros & cons
Each point cites its sources and says what kind of evidence backs it. A second reviewer tried to refute every claim before it was kept.
Pros
- Independent testSmall and auditable: DataCamp cites about 4,000 lines of Python, about 0.8 s startup and about 45 MB RAM, against OpenClaw's 430k+ lines.[1]
- DocsReaches you in chat: WebUI, TUI and API, plus Telegram, Discord, Slack, WeChat, Feishu, Teams, email, Mattermost and Linear.[1]
- DocsOffers workspace-only permission mode, markdown-file memory, MCP, automations, and fully offline local models.[1][2]
- MetadataMIT licensed and very active (v0.4.0 on Oct 28, 2026).[1]
Cons
- Independent testCompared with OpenClaw, it lacks browser automation, voice wake-word detection and companion apps, and voice is limited to Telegram transcription.[1]
- Independent testA much smaller skills community than OpenClaw's 100+ ClawHub skills.[1]
- DocsNot secure by default: it is still exposed to prompt injection, and the README warns that WebUI access grants administration of the agent.[1][2]
- MetadataYoung (created February 2026) and pre-1.0, with 209 open issues.[1]
- Best for
- Self-hosting a lightweight personal assistant on a VPS or small board that you can read and audit end to end.
- Watch out for
- Lock down channel allow-lists and workspace permissions, and never expose the WebUI publicly.
Assessed Oct 29, 2026 · adversarially reviewedSuggest a correction
People
Researcher
PhD student, HKUDS; nanobot lead contributor
Harness engineering
Researcher
Director, Data Intelligence Lab @ HKU (HKUDS)
Harness engineering
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Connections
Relations from the Harness Hub knowledge graph, as charted in the State of Harness reports.
Maintained by · 1
- HKUDSOrganisation
Built on · 1
- Model Context ProtocolProject
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Sources
Verified Oct 29, 2026