# Reload

> Reinstall piclaw from workspace source, then gracefully restart the managed process. Use after making code changes to piclaw.

- Skill: `rcarmo/reload` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add rcarmo/reload`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/rcarmo/reload/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: rcarmo (https://skillmd.com/u/rcarmo)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/rcarmo/reload

---


# Reload Piclaw

Install the workspace build, then let the active service manager start a new process after graceful shutdown.

> ⚠️ In the container runtime, install to `/usr/local/lib/bun/install/global/node_modules/piclaw`. Do **not** deploy to `/home/agent/.bun/...`; the service may keep running another installation.

## Agent-driven workflow

1. Build, pack, and install without restarting:

   ```bash
   cd /workspace/piclaw && make local-install
   ```

   A non-zero exit stops the workflow. Report the install failure and do not
   restart. Verify the installed source artifact under
   `/usr/local/lib/bun/install/global/node_modules/piclaw`; `piclaw --version`
   alone is insufficient because a release and local build can share a version.

2. Use `session_status` to check for other active sessions.
3. If another session is working, report it and wait for approval. A restart interrupts that work.
4. Finish all build, verification, and reporting work.
5. Call `exit_process` with a concise, non-empty `reason` as the last tool action. It posts a visible restart notice to the active chat, then schedules graceful shutdown. Optionally include `resume_message` to show a labelled agent self-resume after startup and start a new inbound turn from it. Supervisor restarts supervised containers; other installs need their service manager to start the process again.

`make restart` is an intentional no-op guard. It prevents an active agent turn from killing its own response.

## Manual shell workflow

Outside an agent turn, install and restart as separate commands:

```bash
cd /workspace/piclaw && make local-install
systemctl --user restart piclaw.service
```

Use the service manager configured for that host. Container installs commonly use Supervisor; host-native installs commonly use `systemd --user`.

## Build commands

Build Piclaw without installing:

```bash
cd /workspace/piclaw && make build-piclaw
```

Build only the vendor bundle:

```bash
cd /workspace/piclaw && make vendor
```

## Notes

- `make local-install` is install-only and ignores an ambient portable-runtime `BUN_INSTALL`.
- A failed local install must never be followed by `exit_process`.
- Compare an installed source-file checksum or resolved entrypoint with the workspace before restart.
- `exit_process` requires a non-empty `reason`; optional `resume_message` must also be non-empty when supplied. It has no delay parameter.
- Bun and Piclaw are installed globally under `/usr/local/lib/bun` in the container layout.