How do I install the Openclaw Backup Restore skill?

Run npx skillmds@latest add dvcrn/openclaw-backup-restore in your terminal (requires Node.js), paste this page's agent-chat prompt into Claude, Cursor, or any MCP-connected agent, or download the SKILL.md file and copy it into your agent's skills directory.

Is Openclaw Backup Restore safe to use?

This skill has not completed SkillMD's automated safety review yet. Independent scanners report: SkillSpector: PASS, Skill Scanner: PASS. Capability flags: executes scripts. SkillMD never runs a skill's scripts for you; review the SKILL.md before installing.

Which AI agents work with Openclaw Backup Restore?

This skill is tagged as working with Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex. SKILL.md is an open format, so most agents that read a skills directory can load it too.

Is Openclaw Backup Restore free to use?

Yes. Installing skills from SkillMD is free, and the skill stays under its author's original license.

Who published Openclaw Backup Restore?

dvcrn (@dvcrn) published this skill. Their other Agent Skills are listed on their SkillMD profile.

Openclaw Backup Restore by dvcrn — Agent Skill

Name: Openclaw Backup Restore
Rating: 4.2 (5 reviews)
Author: dvcrn

Openclaw Backup Restore

Backup and restore OpenClaw configuration, agents, sessions, and workspace to/from a private Git repository. Use when the user wants to manually trigger a backup, migrate to a new machine, or restore from a previous state.

dvcrn Updated Sep 8, 2026 32 repo stars

File contents

OpenClaw Backup & Restore

A specialized skill for managing the lifecycle of your OpenClaw data. This skill utilizes an external Git-managed backup directory to keep your production environment clean while ensuring full recoverability.

Strategy

Isolation: Git operations happen in a dedicated directory outside the live .openclaw runtime to avoid pollution.
Minimalism: Large node_modules, logs, and temporary files are excluded.
Redundancy: Regular backups can be scheduled via Cron.

Setup

Before using this skill, you must set your private backup repository URL in openclaw.json. This URL is used by the scripts to push and pull data.

openclaw config set skills.entries.openclaw-backup-restore.env.OPENCLAW_BACKUP_REPO "git@github.com:your-username/your-repo.git"

How to Backup

To trigger a manual backup and sync to your remote repository:

The agent should execute the backup.sh script located within this skill's scripts/ directory.
The script will:
- Read the repo URL from the OpenClaw config.
- Sync ${HOME}/.openclaw/ to ${HOME}/openclaw-backup/ using rsync (respecting .gitignore).
- Generate a readable commit summary from changed paths (for example workspace/config/runtime/memory).
- Commit and push to the remote main branch.

Trigger Phrases: "Backup OpenClaw now", "Sync my data to GitHub".

How to Restore

To restore your environment on a new or existing machine:

Ensure your SSH key is added to your Git provider (e.g., GitHub).
The agent should execute the restore.sh script located within this skill's scripts/ directory.
The process involves:
- Reading the repo URL from the OpenClaw config.
- Cloning or pulling the latest backup from the configured repository.
- Syncing files back to ${HOME}/.openclaw/.
- Reinstalling node dependencies and running openclaw doctor --yes to fix environment paths.
Restart the Gateway: openclaw gateway restart.

Trigger Phrases: "Restore OpenClaw from backup", "Migrate my data".

Technical Details

Backup Directory: ${HOME}/openclaw-backup
Source Directory: ${HOME}/.openclaw
Exclusions: Defined in the skill's .gitignore (includes node_modules/, logs/, completions/, tmp/, dist/).
Automatic Setup: The .gitignore file is included in this skill and will be copied to ${HOME}/openclaw-backup/ during the first backup run.

Recovery Checklist

If restoring to a completely new machine:

Install OpenClaw CLI first.
Set the OPENCLAW_BACKUP_REPO config value.
Configure SSH access for your Git provider.
Run the restore script provided by this skill.
Run openclaw onboard if you need to re-install the daemon service.

---name: openclaw-backup-restoredescription: Backup and restore OpenClaw configuration, agents, sessions, and workspace to/from a private Git repository. Use when the user wants to manually trigger a backup, migrate to a new machine, or restore from a previous state.---# OpenClaw Backup & RestoreA specialized skill for managing the lifecycle of your OpenClaw data. This skill utilizes an external Git-managed backup directory to keep your production environment clean while ensuring full recoverability.## Strategy1. **Isolation**: Git operations happen in a dedicated directory outside the live `.openclaw` runtime to avoid pollution.2. **Minimalism**: Large `node_modules`, logs, and temporary files are excluded.3. **Redundancy**: Regular backups can be scheduled via Cron.---## SetupBefore using this skill, you must set your private backup repository URL in `openclaw.json`. This URL is used by the scripts to push and pull data.```bashopenclaw config set skills.entries.openclaw-backup-restore.env.OPENCLAW_BACKUP_REPO "git@github.com:your-username/your-repo.git"```## How to BackupTo trigger a manual backup and sync to your remote repository:1. The agent should execute the `backup.sh` script located within this skill's `scripts/` directory.2. The script will: - Read the repo URL from the OpenClaw config. - Sync `${HOME}/.openclaw/` to `${HOME}/openclaw-backup/` using `rsync` (respecting `.gitignore`). - Generate a readable commit summary from changed paths (for example workspace/config/runtime/memory). - Commit and push to the remote `main` branch.**Trigger Phrases**: "Backup OpenClaw now", "Sync my data to GitHub".---## How to RestoreTo restore your environment on a new or existing machine:1. Ensure your SSH key is added to your Git provider (e.g., GitHub).2. The agent should execute the `restore.sh` script located within this skill's `scripts/` directory.3. The process involves: - Reading the repo URL from the OpenClaw config. - Cloning or pulling the latest backup from the configured repository. - Syncing files back to `${HOME}/.openclaw/`. - Reinstalling node dependencies and running `openclaw doctor --yes` to fix environment paths.4. **Restart the Gateway**: `openclaw gateway restart`.**Trigger Phrases**: "Restore OpenClaw from backup", "Migrate my data".---## Technical Details- **Backup Directory**: `${HOME}/openclaw-backup`- **Source Directory**: `${HOME}/.openclaw`- **Exclusions**: Defined in the skill's `.gitignore` (includes `node_modules/`, `logs/`, `completions/`, `tmp/`, `dist/`).- **Automatic Setup**: The `.gitignore` file is included in this skill and will be copied to `${HOME}/openclaw-backup/` during the first backup run.---## Recovery ChecklistIf restoring to a **completely new machine**:1. Install OpenClaw CLI first.2. Set the `OPENCLAW_BACKUP_REPO` config value.3. Configure SSH access for your Git provider.4. Run the restore script provided by this skill.5. Run `openclaw onboard` if you need to re-install the daemon service.

Frequently asked questions