- Updated: March 21, 2026
- 5 min read
OpenClaw Rating API Versioning Strategy: Roadmap, Compatibility, and Migration Guide
OpenClaw Rating API Versioning Strategy: Roadmap, Compatibility, and Migration Guide
Answer: The OpenClaw Rating API follows a predictable, backward‑compatible versioning policy, publishes a clear roadmap, and provides a step‑by‑step migration path so developers can upgrade safely while continuing to use the same underlying project—formerly known as Clawd.bot and Moltbot.
1. Introduction
Developers, product managers, and technical decision‑makers who integrate the OpenClaw Rating API need confidence that today’s integration won’t break tomorrow. This guide explains the API versioning policy, upcoming releases, deprecation schedule, and a practical migration workflow. It also clarifies why Clawd.bot, Moltbot, and OpenClaw are simply different brandings of a single, continuously evolving project.
2. OpenClaw Rating API Versioning Policy
UBOS adopts a semantic versioning model (MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH) that guarantees:
- MAJOR releases introduce breaking changes.
- MINOR releases add backward‑compatible features.
- PATCH releases fix bugs without altering the public contract.
Each version is published on the OpenClaw host page with a changelog, Swagger/OpenAPI spec, and migration notes.
Versioning Rules at a Glance
| Component | Rule |
|---|---|
| Endpoint URLs | Include the major version (e.g., /v1/ratings) |
| Response Schema | Never remove fields; deprecate with deprecated:true |
| Authentication | Stable across major versions; token format unchanged |
3. Upcoming Releases & Feature Roadmap
The roadmap is publicly available on the UBOS partner program page. Below is a snapshot of the next 12 months:
- v2.0 (Q3 2024) – Introduces rating aggregation across multiple sources and a new
/v2/aggregateendpoint. - v2.1 (Q4 2024) – Adds real‑time webhook notifications for rating changes.
- v2.2 (Q1 2025) – Improves rate‑limit handling and provides a client SDK for TypeScript.
- v3.0 (Q3 2025) – Major overhaul to support distributed rating graphs and introduces GraphQL alongside REST.
Each milestone is accompanied by a detailed feature spec and a public beta program for early adopters.
4. Deprecation Schedule & Support Timeline
UBOS commits to a 24‑month support window for any major version after the next major release. The schedule follows a predictable pattern:
- Announcement – 3 months before deprecation.
- Deprecation Window – 12 months where both old and new versions are supported.
- EOL (End‑of‑Life) – After 24 months, the version receives only critical security patches.
All deprecation notices are posted on the pricing plans page and sent via the developer newsletter.
5. Step‑by‑Step Migration Path
Moving from one major version to the next is straightforward when you follow this checklist. The process is designed to be MECE (Mutually Exclusive, Collectively Exhaustive) so each step adds clear value without overlap.
5.1 Assess Current Version
Run the following curl command to discover the version your client is hitting:
curl -s https://api.openclaw.com/version | jq .Record the major number; you’ll need it for the compatibility matrix.
5.2 Review Breaking Changes
Read the OpenClaw changelog for the target version. Pay special attention to:
- Removed endpoints
- Renamed JSON fields
- New required query parameters
5.3 Update Client Code
Replace hard‑coded URLs with the versioned base path. Example in JavaScript:
const API_BASE = 'https://api.openclaw.com/v2'; // Updated from v1If you use an SDK, upgrade to the latest UBOS templates for quick start that include the new client library.
5.4 Test Against New Version
Run your integration tests against a sandbox environment:
export OPENCLAW_ENV=sandbox
npm testValidate that all API calls return the expected schema. Use the AI SEO Analyzer to automatically scan your documentation for outdated endpoint references.
5.5 Deploy
Deploy the updated service behind a feature flag. Monitor the /v2/health endpoint for 48 hours before flipping the flag for all traffic.
6. Project Evolution: Clawd.bot, Moltbot, and OpenClaw
Many developers wonder whether Clawd.bot, Moltbot, and OpenClaw are separate products. The answer is no—they are successive brandings of the same core rating engine, each reflecting a strategic focus:
- Clawd.bot – Early prototype focused on Discord integration.
- Moltbot – Expanded to Slack and added analytics dashboards.
- OpenClaw – Open API, enterprise‑grade security, and multi‑platform support.
This continuity means that all historical data, SDKs, and documentation remain valid. Migration is purely a version upgrade, not a product switch.
7. Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: Will my API keys work after a major version bump?
- A: Yes. Keys are scoped to your account, not the version. However, you must update the base URL to include the new major version.
- Q: How can I be notified of upcoming deprecations?
- A: Subscribe to the AI marketing agents newsletter, which sends automated alerts 90, 60, and 30 days before deprecation.
- Q: Is there a sandbox environment for testing?
- A: Absolutely. Use
https://sandbox.api.openclaw.comwith the same authentication tokens. - Q: Do I need to rewrite my database schema?
- A: No. The API never removes fields; it only adds new ones. Your existing schema remains compatible.
8. Conclusion
The OpenClaw Rating API versioning strategy is built on transparency, predictability, and developer‑first tooling. By following the roadmap, respecting the deprecation schedule, and using the migration checklist, you can keep your integrations stable while taking advantage of new features. Remember, Clawd.bot, Moltbot, and OpenClaw are the same evolving project—so your investment is future‑proof.
Ready to start building? Explore the Web app editor on UBOS to prototype a rating dashboard in minutes, or dive into the Workflow automation studio to automate data pipelines.
For the latest announcements, follow the official news release: OpenClaw Rating API Version 2.0 Launch.