How to Migrate from ChatGPT to OpenClaw
Migrating from ChatGPT to OpenClaw gives you full control over your AI workflows, data, and integrations. This guide walks you through exporting your ChatGPT data, setting up OpenClaw, and recreating your custom GPTs as skills.
Why This Is Hard to Do Yourself
These are the common pitfalls that trip people up.
Exporting Conversation History
ChatGPT doesn't have a one-click export for conversations. You need to request your data through OpenAI's privacy portal and wait for delivery.
Mapping Custom GPTs to Skills
Custom GPTs in ChatGPT are configurations with instructions and tools. Recreating them in OpenClaw requires understanding skills, writing configurations, and testing.
Adjusting Workflows
ChatGPT workflows (prompts, integrations, automation) won't transfer automatically. You need to map them to OpenClaw equivalents and adjust for differences.
Step-by-Step Guide
Export ChatGPT Data
Go to ChatGPT Settings > Data Controls > Export Data. OpenAI will email you a download link within 24-48 hours. Download the ZIP file containing your conversation history in JSON format. Export includes all conversations, custom GPTs, and settings. Data is in JSON format — human-readable but verbose. Keep a backup in case you need to reference old conversations.
Install OpenClaw
Follow the beginner setup guide. Use Docker for the easiest installation. Run OpenClaw locally first, then migrate to a server if needed. Start with a local install to test before committing. Configure your API keys (OpenAI, Anthropic, etc.) immediately. Test basic functionality before importing data.
docker run -d -p 3000:3000 openclaw/openclaw:latest
docker ps # Verify it's runningImport Conversation History
OpenClaw supports importing ChatGPT JSON exports. Go to Settings > Import/Export > Import ChatGPT Data and upload your JSON file. Conversations will appear in your history. Import may take several minutes for large histories. Review imported conversations for formatting issues. Not all metadata transfers — some context may be lost.
Recreate Custom GPTs as Skills
List your custom GPTs from ChatGPT. For each, write an OpenClaw skill that replicates the instructions, tools, and behavior. Use the Skills API documentation as a reference. Start with your most-used GPTs first. Skills are more flexible but require configuration. Test each skill after creation to ensure parity.
Configure API Keys
If your custom GPTs used external APIs (e.g., Google Sheets, Zapier), add those API keys in OpenClaw Settings > API Keys. Map each integration to the corresponding OpenClaw skill. OpenClaw supports most integrations ChatGPT does. Some plugins may not have OpenClaw equivalents yet. Join the community to find or request missing integrations.
Verify and Test Workflows
Run through your typical workflows in OpenClaw. Compare responses to ChatGPT to ensure accuracy. Adjust skill configurations as needed. Test edge cases and error handling. Document any differences in behavior. Iterate on skills until they match your needs.
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