OpenClaw CLI

Run OpenClaw commands safely and efficiently. Choose the right command family, execute with the correct profile context, and verify postconditions.

Execution Workflow

Clarify the target state. Ask what should change and what must remain untouched.
Select runtime scope first. Use default profile unless isolation is requested. Use:

openclaw --dev ... for isolated dev state under ~/.openclaw-dev.
openclaw --profile <name> ... for named isolated state under ~/.openclaw-<name>.

Choose the command family. Use references/command-map.md to route the request quickly.
Expand command details before running risky operations. Run openclaw <command> --help for starred families and confirm flags.
Prefer machine-readable output when automation is needed. Use --json where available, then parse/verify.
Verify outcomes explicitly. Check with openclaw status, openclaw health, openclaw nodes status --json, or command-specific follow-up.

Require explicit user confirmation before reset, uninstall, destructive --force flows, or credential-clearing operations.
Prefer non-destructive diagnostics first: status, health, doctor, logs.
Keep profile usage consistent across a workflow. Do not mix default and --dev/--profile commands accidentally.
For gateway issues, diagnose before restart unless restart is explicitly requested.

For generic "OpenClaw not working" issues:

Run openclaw status.
Run openclaw health.
Run openclaw doctor.
Check openclaw gateway ..., openclaw node ..., or openclaw nodes ... based on where failure appears.
Escalate to targeted commands in references/command-map.md.

references/command-map.md: Command families, routing guidance, and practical recipes.