dvcrn OpenClaw Self-Update
OpenClaw is distributed as an npm package. Version scheme: YYYY.M.D (date-based).
Workflow
1. Check for updates
Run the check script:
{ "tool": "exec", "command": "bash {baseDir}/scripts/check_update.sh" }
Report the result to the user clearly:
- If already up to date: say so and show current version
- If an update is available: show current vs latest and ask for confirmation before updating
2. Apply update
Only run after user confirms. Use the channel the user configured (default: latest):
{ "tool": "exec", "command": "npm install -g openclaw@latest" }
| Channel | Command |
|---|---|
| Stable (default) | npm install -g openclaw@latest |
| Beta | npm install -g openclaw@beta |
| Dev | npm install -g openclaw@dev |
3. Confirm result
After a successful install, inform the user that a gateway restart is required for changes to take effect. Do not restart automatically — tell the user to run openclaw restart or stop/start the daemon.
✅ OpenClaw updated: {old_version} → {new_version}
⚠️ Restart the gateway: openclaw restart
4. Error handling
- If
check_update.shfails → report the error, suggest checking network or npm config - If
npm installfails → report the error as-is, do not retry without user input - If the user asks for a channel that doesn't exist → show the channel table and ask again
Examples
| User says | Action |
|---|---|
| "Check for updates" | Run check script, report current vs latest |
| "Update openclaw" | Run check script, if update available ask confirmation, then install |
| "Switch to beta channel" | Install openclaw@beta, remind to restart |
| "What version am I on?" | Run check script, report current version |