Extensions and Hackable Design
Add integrations through the extensions/* directory and modify prompts in OpenClaw's hackable monorepo.
Extensions and Hackable Design is a free OpenClaw Academy lesson on CoddyKit — lesson 4 of 4. You can read the complete lesson below for free — then practise it hands-on in the browser with a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor. It is part of the OpenClaw Academy learning path, one of 4 lessons in the course, and your progress syncs across the web and the CoddyKit app.
OpenClaw Is Hackable
OpenClaw is built to be hackable, meaning you can open it up and change how it works, not just use it as-is. 🛠️
The extensions Directory
You add new integrations through an extensions directory, the place where extra capabilities live alongside the core.
ls extensions/Drop in Integrations
Each folder under extensions/* can hold its own integration, so you grow OpenClaw by adding pieces rather than rewriting it.
It Is a Monorepo
The source ships as a single monorepo, a pnpm workspace that keeps all the parts of OpenClaw together in one place.
Powered by pnpm Workspaces
That workspace is managed with pnpm, so the packages and extensions link together cleanly during development.
Modify the Prompts
Because it is open, you can modify prompts the assistant uses, tuning how it thinks and responds to your own taste.
MIT and Open Source
The whole project is open-source under the MIT license, so reading and changing the code is fully within your rights. 📖
Built for Coding Runtimes
OpenClaw integrates with coding-agent runtimes in the Claude Code or Codex style, fitting into how developers already work.
Extensions vs Skills
Skills add abilities to the assistant, while extensions add integrations to the system itself. Together they expand what OpenClaw can do.
Still Local-First
Every extension you add keeps the local-first promise, running on your own hardware under your own rules. 🔒
Make It Truly Yours
Between extensions, prompt edits, and skills, you can shape OpenClaw into an assistant that fits exactly how you want to work. 🌟
Quick Check
Let us check how you extend OpenClaw.
Recap: Hackable Design
You learned OpenClaw is a hackable MIT monorepo. Add integrations via extensions/*, modify prompts, and pair it with coding runtimes. 🚀
Frequently asked questions
Is the “Extensions and Hackable Design” lesson free?
Yes — the full text of “Extensions and Hackable Design” is free to read here on the web, and the OpenClaw Academy course includes 4 lessons in total. To practise it interactively (a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor) and unlock the rest of the OpenClaw Academy course, upgrade to CoddyKit PRO.
What will I learn in “Extensions and Hackable Design”?
Add integrations through the extensions/* directory and modify prompts in OpenClaw's hackable monorepo. You practise OpenClaw Academy with hands-on code you run directly in the browser, and a 24/7 AI tutor answers your questions as you work through the lesson.
Do I need any experience to start OpenClaw Academy?
No prior experience is required. OpenClaw Academy on CoddyKit is structured for beginners through advanced learners; this is — lesson 4 of 4, so you can start here or from the beginning and move at your own pace.
How long does the “Extensions and Hackable Design” lesson take?
Most CoddyKit lessons take about 5–10 minutes. Each one is bite-sized and interactive, so you make steady progress and pick up exactly where you left off across the web and the app.
Can I write and run code in this OpenClaw Academy lesson?
Yes. Every OpenClaw Academy lesson includes a built-in code editor, so you write and run real code right in your browser and get instant AI feedback — no local setup required.
All lessons in this course
- What Skills Are
- Finding and Using Skills on ClawHub
- Creating Your Own Skill
- Extensions and Hackable Design