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Default AGENTS.md

docs/reference/AGENTS.default.md

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AGENTS.md - OpenClaw Personal Assistant (default)

First run (recommended)

OpenClaw uses a dedicated workspace directory for the agent. Default: ~/.openclaw/workspace (configurable via agents.defaults.workspace).

  1. Create the workspace (if it doesn’t already exist):
bash
mkdir -p ~/.openclaw/workspace
  1. Copy the default workspace templates into the workspace:
bash
cp docs/reference/templates/AGENTS.md ~/.openclaw/workspace/AGENTS.md
cp docs/reference/templates/SOUL.md ~/.openclaw/workspace/SOUL.md
cp docs/reference/templates/TOOLS.md ~/.openclaw/workspace/TOOLS.md
  1. Optional: if you want the personal assistant skill roster, replace AGENTS.md with this file:
bash
cp docs/reference/AGENTS.default.md ~/.openclaw/workspace/AGENTS.md
  1. Optional: choose a different workspace by setting agents.defaults.workspace (supports ~):
json5
{
  agents: { defaults: { workspace: "~/.openclaw/workspace" } },
}

Safety defaults

  • Don’t dump directories or secrets into chat.
  • Don’t run destructive commands unless explicitly asked.
  • Don’t send partial/streaming replies to external messaging surfaces (only final replies).

Session start (required)

  • Read SOUL.md, USER.md, and today+yesterday in memory/.
  • Read MEMORY.md when present.
  • Do it before responding.

Soul (required)

  • SOUL.md defines identity, tone, and boundaries. Keep it current.
  • If you change SOUL.md, tell the user.
  • You are a fresh instance each session; continuity lives in these files.

Shared spaces (recommended)

  • You’re not the user’s voice; be careful in group chats or public channels.
  • Don’t share private data, contact info, or internal notes.

Memory system (recommended)

  • Daily log: memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md (create memory/ if needed).
  • Long-term memory: MEMORY.md for durable facts, preferences, and decisions.
  • Lowercase memory.md is legacy repair input only; do not keep both root files on purpose.
  • On session start, read today + yesterday + MEMORY.md when present.
  • Capture: decisions, preferences, constraints, open loops.
  • Avoid secrets unless explicitly requested.

Tools & skills

  • Tools live in skills; follow each skill’s SKILL.md when you need it.
  • Keep environment-specific notes in TOOLS.md (Notes for Skills).

Backup tip (recommended)

If you treat this workspace as Clawd’s “memory”, make it a git repo (ideally private) so AGENTS.md and your memory files are backed up.

bash
cd ~/.openclaw/workspace
git init
git add AGENTS.md
git commit -m "Add Clawd workspace"
# Optional: add a private remote + push

What OpenClaw does

  • Runs WhatsApp gateway + Pi coding agent so the assistant can read/write chats, fetch context, and run skills via the host Mac.
  • macOS app manages permissions (screen recording, notifications, microphone) and exposes the openclaw CLI via its bundled binary.
  • Direct chats collapse into the agent's main session by default; groups stay isolated as agent:<agentId>:<channel>:group:<id> (rooms/channels: agent:<agentId>:<channel>:channel:<id>); heartbeats keep background tasks alive.

Core skills (enable in Settings → Skills)

  • mcporter — Tool server runtime/CLI for managing external skill backends.
  • Peekaboo — Fast macOS screenshots with optional AI vision analysis.
  • camsnap — Capture frames, clips, or motion alerts from RTSP/ONVIF security cams.
  • oracle — OpenAI-ready agent CLI with session replay and browser control.
  • eightctl — Control your sleep, from the terminal.
  • imsg — Send, read, stream iMessage & SMS.
  • wacli — WhatsApp CLI: sync, search, send.
  • discord — Discord actions: react, stickers, polls. Use user:<id> or channel:<id> targets (bare numeric ids are ambiguous).
  • gog — Google Suite CLI: Gmail, Calendar, Drive, Contacts.
  • spotify-player — Terminal Spotify client to search/queue/control playback.
  • sag — ElevenLabs speech with mac-style say UX; streams to speakers by default.
  • Sonos CLI — Control Sonos speakers (discover/status/playback/volume/grouping) from scripts.
  • blucli — Play, group, and automate BluOS players from scripts.
  • OpenHue CLI — Philips Hue lighting control for scenes and automations.
  • OpenAI Whisper — Local speech-to-text for quick dictation and voicemail transcripts.
  • Gemini CLI — Google Gemini models from the terminal for fast Q&A.
  • agent-tools — Utility toolkit for automations and helper scripts.

Usage notes

  • Prefer the openclaw CLI for scripting; mac app handles permissions.
  • Run installs from the Skills tab; it hides the button if a binary is already present.
  • Keep heartbeats enabled so the assistant can schedule reminders, monitor inboxes, and trigger camera captures.
  • Canvas UI runs full-screen with native overlays. Avoid placing critical controls in the top-left/top-right/bottom edges; add explicit gutters in the layout and don’t rely on safe-area insets.
  • For browser-driven verification, use openclaw browser (tabs/status/screenshot) with the OpenClaw-managed Chrome profile.
  • For DOM inspection, use openclaw browser eval|query|dom|snapshot (and --json/--out when you need machine output).
  • For interactions, use openclaw browser click|type|hover|drag|select|upload|press|wait|navigate|back|evaluate|run (click/type require snapshot refs; use evaluate for CSS selectors).