# Send OpenClaw Config Reference to your agent
Hand the extracted package to your coding agent with a concrete install brief instead of figuring it out manually.
## Fast path
- Download the package from Yavira.
- Extract it into a folder your agent can access.
- Paste one of the prompts below and point your agent at the extracted folder.
## Suggested prompts
### New install

```text
I downloaded a skill package from Yavira. Read SKILL.md from the extracted folder and install it by following the included instructions. Tell me what you changed and call out any manual steps you could not complete.
```
### Upgrade existing

```text
I downloaded an updated skill package from Yavira. Read SKILL.md from the extracted folder, compare it with my current installation, and upgrade it while preserving any custom configuration unless the package docs explicitly say otherwise. Summarize what changed and any follow-up checks I should run.
```
## Machine-readable fields
```json
{
  "schemaVersion": "1.0",
  "item": {
    "slug": "openclaw-config-reference",
    "name": "OpenClaw Config Reference",
    "source": "tencent",
    "type": "skill",
    "category": "开发工具",
    "sourceUrl": "https://clawhub.ai/Yixn/openclaw-config-reference",
    "canonicalUrl": "https://clawhub.ai/Yixn/openclaw-config-reference",
    "targetPlatform": "OpenClaw"
  },
  "install": {
    "downloadUrl": "/downloads/openclaw-config-reference",
    "sourceDownloadUrl": "https://wry-manatee-359.convex.site/api/v1/download?slug=openclaw-config-reference",
    "sourcePlatform": "tencent",
    "targetPlatform": "OpenClaw",
    "packageFormat": "ZIP package",
    "primaryDoc": "SKILL.md",
    "includedAssets": [
      "SKILL.md",
      "references/troubleshooting.md",
      "references/channels.md",
      "references/gateway.md",
      "references/session.md",
      "references/agents.md"
    ],
    "downloadMode": "redirect",
    "sourceHealth": {
      "source": "tencent",
      "slug": "openclaw-config-reference",
      "status": "healthy",
      "reason": "direct_download_ok",
      "recommendedAction": "download",
      "checkedAt": "2026-05-06T11:01:16.274Z",
      "expiresAt": "2026-05-13T11:01:16.274Z",
      "httpStatus": 200,
      "finalUrl": "https://wry-manatee-359.convex.site/api/v1/download?slug=openclaw-config-reference",
      "contentType": "application/zip",
      "probeMethod": "head",
      "details": {
        "probeUrl": "https://wry-manatee-359.convex.site/api/v1/download?slug=openclaw-config-reference",
        "contentDisposition": "attachment; filename=\"openclaw-config-reference-1.0.0.zip\"",
        "redirectLocation": null,
        "bodySnippet": null,
        "slug": "openclaw-config-reference"
      },
      "scope": "item",
      "summary": "Item download looks usable.",
      "detail": "Yavira can redirect you to the upstream package for this item.",
      "primaryActionLabel": "Download for OpenClaw",
      "primaryActionHref": "/downloads/openclaw-config-reference"
    },
    "validation": {
      "installChecklist": [
        "Use the Yavira download entry.",
        "Review SKILL.md after the package is downloaded.",
        "Confirm the extracted package contains the expected setup assets."
      ],
      "postInstallChecks": [
        "Confirm the extracted package includes the expected docs or setup files.",
        "Validate the skill or prompts are available in your target agent workspace.",
        "Capture any manual follow-up steps the agent could not complete."
      ]
    }
  },
  "links": {
    "detailUrl": "https://openagent3.xyz/skills/openclaw-config-reference",
    "downloadUrl": "https://openagent3.xyz/downloads/openclaw-config-reference",
    "agentUrl": "https://openagent3.xyz/skills/openclaw-config-reference/agent",
    "manifestUrl": "https://openagent3.xyz/skills/openclaw-config-reference/agent.json",
    "briefUrl": "https://openagent3.xyz/skills/openclaw-config-reference/agent.md"
  }
}
```
## Documentation

### OpenClaw Configuration Reference

Built by ClawHosters - managed OpenClaw hosting with 1-click deployment. If you'd rather skip the config headaches and have everything set up for you, check us out.

### DANGER - Read This First

openclaw.json uses strict schema validation. Unknown keys cause the Gateway to refuse to start. Before editing config:

Always back up first: cp ~/.openclaw/openclaw.json ~/.openclaw/openclaw.json.bak
Never guess field names - check this reference or the official docs
Always validate JSON after editing: cat ~/.openclaw/openclaw.json | python3 -m json.tool
Run doctor after changes: openclaw doctor (or openclaw doctor --fix to auto-repair)

### Recovery from Broken Config

If the Gateway won't start after a config change:

# Restore backup
cp ~/.openclaw/openclaw.json.bak ~/.openclaw/openclaw.json

# Or run doctor to auto-fix
openclaw doctor --fix

# Verify config is valid
openclaw config get

### Config File Basics

PropertyValuePath~/.openclaw/openclaw.jsonFormatJSON5 (comments, trailing commas, unquoted keys allowed)ValidationStrict - unknown keys = Gateway refuses to startWatchingGateway watches file for changes and hot-reloads

### Configuration Methods

MethodDescriptionDirect file editEdit ~/.openclaw/openclaw.json directly. Gateway detects changes.CLIopenclaw config get/set/unset - safest methodWeb UIControl UI at http://127.0.0.1:18789Onboard wizardopenclaw onboard - guided initial setup

### CLI Config Commands

openclaw config get                          # Show full config
openclaw config get gateway.port             # Get specific value
openclaw config set gateway.port 19000       # Set a value
openclaw config unset gateway.auth.token     # Remove a value

The CLI validates before writing, making it the safest way to change config.

### Modular Config with $include

Split config across files:

{
  "$include": "./channels-config.json",
  gateway: { port: 18789 }
}

The included file is merged into the main config.

### Config RPC (Programmatic Access)

The Gateway exposes config methods via RPC:

MethodDescriptionconfig.getRead current config (or a specific path)config.applyApply a full config object (replaces)config.patchMerge partial config (rate-limited: 3 calls per 60 seconds)

config.patch is rate-limited to prevent accidental rapid-fire config changes that could destabilize the Gateway.

### Hot Reload Modes

The Gateway watches openclaw.json and reloads on changes.

ModeBehaviorhybridSmart: hot-reload where possible, restart where needed (default)hotNon-destructive in-place reload (keeps connections alive)restartFull process restart on any config changeoffDisable auto-reload entirely

gateway: {
  reload: "hybrid"
}

What hot-applies (no restart needed):

Channel settings (dm policy, allow lists)
Agent model changes
Tool permissions
Session settings

What requires restart:

Gateway port/bind changes
Auth mode changes
Adding/removing channels entirely

Manual reload via SIGUSR1:

pkill -SIGUSR1 -f gateway

SIGUSR1 is non-destructive: reloads config without dropping connections or sessions.

### Top-Level Sections

SectionPurposeReferencegatewayCore process: port, bind, auth, reload, HTTP endpointsgateway.mdcommandsMessenger commands (e.g., /restart)See belowagentsMulti-agent system: defaults, agent list, modelsagents.mdchannelsMessenger integrations (Telegram, WhatsApp, Discord, etc.)channels.mdsessionSession scoping, reset behaviorsession.mdsandboxCode execution isolation (Docker)session.mdcronBuilt-in job schedulersession.mdhooksWebhook receiver configurationsession.mdtoolsTool permissions, profiles, restrictionstools.mdbrowserPlaywright browser integrationtools.mdskillsSkill loading, entries, installationtools.mdmodelsLLM providers and model configurationmodels-env.mdenvEnvironment variable injectionmodels-env.md

### Commands Block (Simple)

commands: {
  restart: true    // Allow /restart command from messenger clients
}

Security warning: Setting commands.config: true allows users to modify config from chat. Only enable for trusted single-user setups.

### Minimal Working Config

The smallest config that runs:

{
  gateway: {
    port: 18789
  },
  agents: {
    list: [
      { agentId: "main", workspace: "~/.openclaw/workspace" }
    ]
  }
}

Everything else uses defaults.

### Full Example Config

{
  gateway: {
    mode: "local",
    port: 18789,
    bind: "loopback",
    reload: "hybrid",
    auth: { mode: "token", token: "change-me-please" },
    http: { endpoints: { chatCompletions: { enabled: true } } }
  },

  commands: { restart: true },

  agents: {
    defaults: {
      workspace: "~/.openclaw/workspace",
      model: { primary: "anthropic/claude-opus-4-6" },
      heartbeat: { every: "30m" }
    },
    list: [
      { agentId: "main" },
      { agentId: "work", workspace: "~/.openclaw/workspace-work" }
    ]
  },

  channels: {
    telegram: {
      botToken: "...",
      enabled: true,
      dmPolicy: "pairing",
      streamMode: "partial"
    }
  },

  session: {
    dmScope: "main",
    reset: { mode: "daily", atHour: 4 }
  },

  cron: { enabled: true },

  models: {
    providers: {
      "openrouter": {
        baseUrl: "https://openrouter.ai/api/v1",
        apiKey: "sk-or-...",
        api: "openai-completions"
      }
    }
  },

  env: {
    vars: { TZ: "America/New_York" },
    shellEnv: true
  }
}

### Validation Checklist

Before saving config changes:

JSON is valid (no trailing syntax errors, mismatched braces)
 No unknown keys (Gateway rejects unknown fields)
 Auth is set if bind mode is lan (Gateway refuses to start without auth on lan)
 Channel tokens/secrets are in env vars, not hardcoded
 Backup exists (openclaw.json.bak)

After saving:

openclaw config get returns without errors
 openclaw doctor shows no critical issues
 Gateway reloaded successfully (check logs)

### Common Pitfalls

For detailed troubleshooting with examples and recovery procedures, see troubleshooting.md.

Quick list of things that will break your setup:

Unknown keys in config - Gateway refuses to start. Always check field names.
Editing config mid-sentence - Gateway watches the file. If it reads a half-written file, it crashes. Use openclaw config set instead of manual editing when possible.
gateway.bind: "lan" without auth - Gateway refuses to start for safety. Always set auth when binding to lan.
commands.config: true - Lets anyone in chat modify your config. Only for trusted single-user.
tools.elevated.enabled: true + open DM policy - Gives strangers admin access to your system.
Missing OPENCLAW_GATEWAY_TOKEN env var - If auth mode is token but no token is set in config or env.
sandbox.mode: "all" without Docker - Sandbox requires Docker to be running.

### Further Reference

Each config section has a dedicated reference file with full schema documentation:

Gateway, auth, HTTP endpoints: gateway.md
Agents, models, workspace, heartbeat: agents.md
All channel platforms: channels.md
Session, sandbox, cron, hooks: session.md
Tools, browser, skills config: tools.md
Models, env, auth, logging: models-env.md
Troubleshooting & recovery: troubleshooting.md
## Trust
- Source: tencent
- Verification: Indexed source record
- Publisher: Yixn
- Version: 1.0.0
## Source health
- Status: healthy
- Item download looks usable.
- Yavira can redirect you to the upstream package for this item.
- Health scope: item
- Reason: direct_download_ok
- Checked at: 2026-05-06T11:01:16.274Z
- Expires at: 2026-05-13T11:01:16.274Z
- Recommended action: Download for OpenClaw
## Links
- [Detail page](https://openagent3.xyz/skills/openclaw-config-reference)
- [Send to Agent page](https://openagent3.xyz/skills/openclaw-config-reference/agent)
- [JSON manifest](https://openagent3.xyz/skills/openclaw-config-reference/agent.json)
- [Markdown brief](https://openagent3.xyz/skills/openclaw-config-reference/agent.md)
- [Download page](https://openagent3.xyz/downloads/openclaw-config-reference)