🧭 OpenClaw Cheatsheet

Core commands, file map, and fast fixes — all in one scannable reference.

Core CLI Workspace Memory & Models Channels Hooks & Skills Slash Commands Troubleshooting Automation

⚙️ Core CLI Commands

Run these from any shell with the OpenClaw CLI installed.

CommandPurpose
openclaw gatewayRun the Gateway in the foreground.
openclaw gateway start / restartStart or restart the Gateway service.
openclaw channels addAdd or update a channel account.
openclaw channels listList configured channels and auth profiles.
openclaw channels status --probeChannel health + live probe checks.
openclaw status --deepGateway + channel deep health probe.
openclaw onboardGuided setup for gateway, workspace, and skills.
openclaw setupInitialize config + workspace (wizard mode available).
openclaw doctorHealth checks + quick fixes.
openclaw models listList configured models (or --all for full catalog).
openclaw models set <model>Switch the default model.
openclaw models statusShow model auth + health (use --probe for live).
openclaw models auth setup-token --provider anthropicPaste a Claude setup-token on the gateway host.
Install: npm install -g openclaw@latest → openclaw onboard → openclaw gateway

🗂️ Workspace Anatomy

Key files in your agent workspace (the assistant reads these every session).

FileWhy it matters
AGENTS.mdInstructions for the agent & workflow rules.
SOUL.mdPersona and personality.
USER.mdUser preferences and context.
IDENTITY.mdAgent name, theme, avatar.
MEMORY.mdCurated long-term memory.
memory/YYYY-MM-DD.mdDaily logs / short-term memory.
HEARTBEAT.mdPeriodic checks + proactive tasks.
BOOT.mdStartup instructions run on gateway boot (via hooks).
.openclaw/Project-level config + state.

🧠 Memory & Models

Memory Search

  • openclaw memory search --query "deployment notes"
  • openclaw memory status
  • openclaw memory index --force
  • In chat: use memory_search tool (vector search).

Model Switching

  • openclaw models list --provider anthropic
  • openclaw models set claude-3-5-sonnet
  • openclaw models status --probe
  • Auth via wizard: openclaw onboard --auth-choice setup-token

🧩 Hooks & Skills

CommandPurpose
openclaw hooks listList installed hooks.
openclaw hooks enable <id>Enable a hook (e.g., boot-md).
openclaw skills listList available skills.
openclaw skills checkVerify skill dependencies.
clawhub search "gmail"Search community skills.
clawhub install <slug>Install a ClawHub skill.

⌨️ In-Chat Slash Commands

CommandUse
/context list / /context <id>Inspect or switch context.
/compactCompress the conversation context.
/newStart a fresh session.
/stopAbort current tool/action.
/tts on / /tts offToggle text-to-speech.

Full list: Slash Commands QRG →

📱 Channel Management

ChannelQuick CommandNotes
WhatsAppopenclaw channels login --channel whatsappShows QR code for WhatsApp Web pairing.
Telegramopenclaw channels add --channel telegram --token <token>Bot token from @BotFather.
Discordopenclaw channels add --channel discord --token <token>Bot token from Discord dev portal.
Slackopenclaw channels add --channel slack --bot-token ... --app-token ...Requires bot + app token.
iMessage (macOS)openclaw channels add --channel imessageUses local Messages DB + imsg CLI.

More: Channel guides →

🔊 Voice & TTS

🧯 Troubleshooting Fast Path

SymptomCommandWhat it checks
No DM replyopenclaw channels status --probeChannel connectivity + auth.
Silent in group chatopenclaw channels status --probeGroup allowlists + permissions.
Auth expiredopenclaw models status --probeModel auth validity + live probes.
Gateway downopenclaw gateway statusService status + optional probe.
Memory bugsopenclaw memory statusIndex state + provider health.
Memory index staleopenclaw memory index --forceRebuild vector index.
Everything weirdopenclaw doctorFull diagnostic sweep.

Deep dive: Troubleshooting guide →

🤖 Automation & Research

Browser Automation

  • openclaw browser status
  • openclaw browser start
  • openclaw browser snapshot

Cron Jobs

  • openclaw cron list
  • openclaw cron add
  • openclaw cron runs

Subagents & Sessions

  • openclaw agents list
  • openclaw sessions list
  • Use /new to start a fresh thread.

Heartbeat System

  • openclaw system heartbeat last
  • openclaw system heartbeat enable
  • openclaw system heartbeat disable

Next steps