OpenClaw to Add Claude Code and OpenAI Codex Support Next Week

OpenClaw is an open-source AI agent framework that coordinates models, tools and subagents to carry out complex tasks. The update integrates OpenAI’s image model and enhances collaboration among multiple layers of agents, reducing the burden of API-key management for developers and allowing lengthy workflows to be broken into smaller tasks. It also patches high-risk vulnerabilities, an important improvement for enterprise deployments and data security.

OpenClaw released v2026.4.23 on April 23, 2026, adding the ability to sign in through Codex OAuth and call OpenAI’s gpt-image-2 directly without entering a separate API key. Subagents can now be nested up to three levels deep and inherit conversation context from their parent agents. The release also patches several Critical-rated security vulnerabilities, strengthening protections for agent execution environments.

OpenClaw is an open-source AI agent platform that uses models, tools and plugins to automate multistep tasks. The update focuses on long-running jobs, isolated execution environments and model compatibility, reflecting AI agents' shift from brief question-and-answer interactions toward continuously operating workflows.

OpenClaw's latest release, versioned v2026.3.22 after March 22, 2026, launches the ClawHub plugin marketplace and adds full support for GPT-5.4, SSH sandboxes and sessions lasting up to 48 hours. However, community reports indicate that the new version may not include the console, potentially leaving existing users without access to the interface after upgrading. Users should check the official guidance before updating.

OpenAI and Anthropic are competing for the AI software development tools market, with Codex going head-to-head with Claude Code. OpenAI President Greg Brockman has instructed engineering teams to make AI agents central to their daily development work. The aim is to shorten coding, testing and deployment cycles, deepen the model’s adoption in enterprise software workflows and strengthen the ChatGPT ecosystem.

OpenAI recently began a six-week product sprint that includes rapid releases of the Codex desktop app, GPT-5.4 and security-agent features. It also plans to combine ChatGPT, Codex and the Atlas browser into a desktop “super app.” The company has not disclosed the investment involved or exact release dates. The central goal of the update push is to counter Anthropic’s Claude Code.