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Steer

docs/tools/steer.md

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/steer first tries to send guidance to an already-active run. It is for "adjust this run while it is still working" moments. If the current runtime cannot accept steering, OpenClaw sends the message as a normal prompt instead of dropping it.

Current session

Use top-level /steer to target the active run for the current session:

text
/steer prefer the smaller patch and keep the tests focused
/tell summarize before making the next tool call

Behavior:

  • Targets only the current session's active run.
  • Works independently of the session's /queue mode.
  • Starts a normal turn with the same message when the session is idle or the active run cannot accept steering.
  • Uses the active runtime's steering path, so the model sees the guidance at the next supported runtime boundary.

Steer vs queue

/queue steer makes normal inbound messages try to steer the active run when they arrive while a run is active. /steer <message> is an explicit command that tries to inject that command's message into the active run at the next supported runtime boundary, regardless of the stored /queue setting. When that injection is not available, the command prefix is stripped and <message> continues as a normal prompt.

Use:

  • /steer <message> when you want to guide the active run right now.
  • /queue steer when you want future normal messages to steer active runs by default.
  • /queue collect or /queue followup when future normal messages should wait for a later turn instead of steering the active run.
  • /queue interrupt when the newest message should replace the active run instead of steering it.

For queue modes and steering boundaries, see Command queue and Steering queue.

Sub-agents

Use /subagents steer when the target is a child run:

text
/subagents steer 2 focus only on the API surface

Top-level /steer does not select a sub-agent by id or list index. It always targets the current session's active run. See Sub-agents for sub-agent ids, labels, and control commands.

ACP sessions

Use /acp steer when the target is an ACP harness session:

text
/acp steer --session agent:main:acp:codex tighten the repro

See ACP agents for ACP session selection and runtime behavior.