---
summary: "Skills: managed vs workspace, gating rules, and config/env wiring"
read_when:
  - Adding or modifying skills
  - Changing skill gating or load rules
title: "Skills"
---

# Skills (OpenClaw)

OpenClaw uses **[AgentSkills](https://agentskills.io)-compatible** skill folders to teach the agent how to use tools. Each skill is a directory containing a `SKILL.md` with YAML frontmatter and instructions. OpenClaw loads **bundled skills** plus optional local overrides, and filters them at load time based on environment, config, and binary presence.

## Locations and precedence

OpenClaw loads skills from these sources:

1. **Extra skill folders**: configured with `skills.load.extraDirs`
2. **Bundled skills**: shipped with the install (npm package or OpenClaw.app)
3. **Managed/local skills**: `~/.openclaw/skills`
4. **Personal agent skills**: `~/.agents/skills`
5. **Project agent skills**: `<workspace>/.agents/skills`
6. **Workspace skills**: `<workspace>/skills`

If a skill name conflicts, precedence is:

`<workspace>/skills` (highest) → `<workspace>/.agents/skills` → `~/.agents/skills` → `~/.openclaw/skills` → bundled skills → `skills.load.extraDirs` (lowest)

## Per-agent vs shared skills

In **multi-agent** setups, each agent has its own workspace. That means:

- **Per-agent skills** live in `<workspace>/skills` for that agent only.
- **Project agent skills** live in `<workspace>/.agents/skills` and apply to
  that workspace before the normal workspace `skills/` folder.
- **Personal agent skills** live in `~/.agents/skills` and apply across
  workspaces on that machine.
- **Shared skills** live in `~/.openclaw/skills` (managed/local) and are visible
  to **all agents** on the same machine.
- **Shared folders** can also be added via `skills.load.extraDirs` (lowest
  precedence) if you want a common skills pack used by multiple agents.

If the same skill name exists in more than one place, the usual precedence
applies: workspace wins, then project agent skills, then personal agent skills,
then managed/local, then bundled, then extra dirs.

## Agent skill allowlists

Skill **location** and skill **visibility** are separate controls.

- Location/precedence decides which copy of a same-named skill wins.
- Agent allowlists decide which visible skills an agent can actually use.

Use `agents.defaults.skills` for a shared baseline, then override per agent with
`agents.list[].skills`:

```json5
{
  agents: {
    defaults: {
      skills: ["github", "weather"],
    },
    list: [
      { id: "writer" }, // inherits github, weather
      { id: "docs", skills: ["docs-search"] }, // replaces defaults
      { id: "locked-down", skills: [] }, // no skills
    ],
  },
}
```

Rules:

- Omit `agents.defaults.skills` for unrestricted skills by default.
- Omit `agents.list[].skills` to inherit `agents.defaults.skills`.
- Set `agents.list[].skills: []` for no skills.
- A non-empty `agents.list[].skills` list is the final set for that agent; it
  does not merge with defaults.

OpenClaw applies the effective agent skill set across prompt building, skill
slash-command discovery, sandbox sync, and skill snapshots.

## Plugins + skills

Plugins can ship their own skills by listing `skills` directories in
`openclaw.plugin.json` (paths relative to the plugin root). Plugin skills load
when the plugin is enabled. Today those directories are merged into the same
low-precedence path as `skills.load.extraDirs`, so a same-named bundled,
managed, agent, or workspace skill overrides them.
You can gate them via `metadata.openclaw.requires.config` on the plugin’s config
entry. See [Plugins](/tools/plugin) for discovery/config and [Tools](/tools) for the
tool surface those skills teach.

## ClawHub (install + sync)

ClawHub is the public skills registry for OpenClaw. Browse at
[https://clawhub.ai](https://clawhub.ai). Use native `openclaw skills`
commands to discover/install/update skills, or the separate `clawhub` CLI when
you need publish/sync workflows.
Full guide: [ClawHub](/tools/clawhub).

Common flows:

- Install a skill into your workspace:
  - `openclaw skills install <skill-slug>`
- Update all installed skills:
  - `openclaw skills update --all`
- Sync (scan + publish updates):
  - `clawhub sync --all`

Native `openclaw skills install` installs into the active workspace `skills/`
directory. The separate `clawhub` CLI also installs into `./skills` under your
current working directory (or falls back to the configured OpenClaw workspace).
OpenClaw picks that up as `<workspace>/skills` on the next session.

## Security notes

- Treat third-party skills as **untrusted code**. Read them before enabling.
- Prefer sandboxed runs for untrusted inputs and risky tools. See [Sandboxing](/gateway/sandboxing).
- Workspace and extra-dir skill discovery only accepts skill roots and `SKILL.md` files whose resolved realpath stays inside the configured root.
- Gateway-backed skill dependency installs (`skills.install`, onboarding, and the Skills settings UI) run the built-in dangerous-code scanner before executing installer metadata. `critical` findings block by default unless the caller explicitly sets the dangerous override; suspicious findings still warn only.
- `openclaw skills install <slug>` is different: it downloads a ClawHub skill folder into the workspace and does not use the installer-metadata path above.
- `skills.entries.*.env` and `skills.entries.*.apiKey` inject secrets into the **host** process
  for that agent turn (not the sandbox). Keep secrets out of prompts and logs.
- For a broader threat model and checklists, see [Security](/gateway/security).

## Format (AgentSkills + Pi-compatible)

`SKILL.md` must include at least:

```markdown
---
name: image-lab
description: Generate or edit images via a provider-backed image workflow
---
```

Notes:

- We follow the AgentSkills spec for layout/intent.
- The parser used by the embedded agent supports **single-line** frontmatter keys only.
- `metadata` should be a **single-line JSON object**.
- Use `{baseDir}` in instructions to reference the skill folder path.
- Optional frontmatter keys:
  - `homepage` — URL surfaced as “Website” in the macOS Skills UI (also supported via `metadata.openclaw.homepage`).
  - `user-invocable` — `true|false` (default: `true`). When `true`, the skill is exposed as a user slash command.
  - `disable-model-invocation` — `true|false` (default: `false`). When `true`, the skill is excluded from the model prompt (still available via user invocation).
  - `command-dispatch` — `tool` (optional). When set to `tool`, the slash command bypasses the model and dispatches directly to a tool.
  - `command-tool` — tool name to invoke when `command-dispatch: tool` is set.
  - `command-arg-mode` — `raw` (default). For tool dispatch, forwards the raw args string to the tool (no core parsing).

    The tool is invoked with params:
    `{ command: "<raw args>", commandName: "<slash command>", skillName: "<skill name>" }`.

## Gating (load-time filters)

OpenClaw **filters skills at load time** using `metadata` (single-line JSON):

```markdown
---
name: image-lab
description: Generate or edit images via a provider-backed image workflow
metadata:
  {
    "openclaw":
      {
        "requires": { "bins": ["uv"], "env": ["GEMINI_API_KEY"], "config": ["browser.enabled"] },
        "primaryEnv": "GEMINI_API_KEY",
      },
  }
---
```

Fields under `metadata.openclaw`:

- `always: true` — always include the skill (skip other gates).
- `emoji` — optional emoji used by the macOS Skills UI.
- `homepage` — optional URL shown as “Website” in the macOS Skills UI.
- `os` — optional list of platforms (`darwin`, `linux`, `win32`). If set, the skill is only eligible on those OSes.
- `requires.bins` — list; each must exist on `PATH`.
- `requires.anyBins` — list; at least one must exist on `PATH`.
- `requires.env` — list; env var must exist **or** be provided in config.
- `requires.config` — list of `openclaw.json` paths that must be truthy.
- `primaryEnv` — env var name associated with `skills.entries.<name>.apiKey`.
- `install` — optional array of installer specs used by the macOS Skills UI (brew/node/go/uv/download).

Note on sandboxing:

- `requires.bins` is checked on the **host** at skill load time.
- If an agent is sandboxed, the binary must also exist **inside the container**.
  Install it via `agents.defaults.sandbox.docker.setupCommand` (or a custom image).
  `setupCommand` runs once after the container is created.
  Package installs also require network egress, a writable root FS, and a root user in the sandbox.
  Example: the `summarize` skill (`skills/summarize/SKILL.md`) needs the `summarize` CLI
  in the sandbox container to run there.

Installer example:

```markdown
---
name: gemini
description: Use Gemini CLI for coding assistance and Google search lookups.
metadata:
  {
    "openclaw":
      {
        "emoji": "♊️",
        "requires": { "bins": ["gemini"] },
        "install":
          [
            {
              "id": "brew",
              "kind": "brew",
              "formula": "gemini-cli",
              "bins": ["gemini"],
              "label": "Install Gemini CLI (brew)",
            },
          ],
      },
  }
---
```

Notes:

- If multiple installers are listed, the gateway picks a **single** preferred option (brew when available, otherwise node).
- If all installers are `download`, OpenClaw lists each entry so you can see the available artifacts.
- Installer specs can include `os: ["darwin"|"linux"|"win32"]` to filter options by platform.
- Node installs honor `skills.install.nodeManager` in `openclaw.json` (default: npm; options: npm/pnpm/yarn/bun).
  This only affects **skill installs**; the Gateway runtime should still be Node
  (Bun is not recommended for WhatsApp/Telegram).
- Gateway-backed installer selection is preference-driven, not node-only:
  when install specs mix kinds, OpenClaw prefers Homebrew when
  `skills.install.preferBrew` is enabled and `brew` exists, then `uv`, then the
  configured node manager, then other fallbacks like `go` or `download`.
- If every install spec is `download`, OpenClaw surfaces all download options
  instead of collapsing to one preferred installer.
- Go installs: if `go` is missing and `brew` is available, the gateway installs Go via Homebrew first and sets `GOBIN` to Homebrew’s `bin` when possible.
- Download installs: `url` (required), `archive` (`tar.gz` | `tar.bz2` | `zip`), `extract` (default: auto when archive detected), `stripComponents`, `targetDir` (default: `~/.openclaw/tools/<skillKey>`).

If no `metadata.openclaw` is present, the skill is always eligible (unless
disabled in config or blocked by `skills.allowBundled` for bundled skills).

## Config overrides (`~/.openclaw/openclaw.json`)

Bundled/managed skills can be toggled and supplied with env values:

```json5
{
  skills: {
    entries: {
      "image-lab": {
        enabled: true,
        apiKey: { source: "env", provider: "default", id: "GEMINI_API_KEY" }, // or plaintext string
        env: {
          GEMINI_API_KEY: "GEMINI_KEY_HERE",
        },
        config: {
          endpoint: "https://example.invalid",
          model: "nano-pro",
        },
      },
      peekaboo: { enabled: true },
      sag: { enabled: false },
    },
  },
}
```

Note: if the skill name contains hyphens, quote the key (JSON5 allows quoted keys).

If you want stock image generation/editing inside OpenClaw itself, use the core
`image_generate` tool with `agents.defaults.imageGenerationModel` instead of a
bundled skill. Skill examples here are for custom or third-party workflows.

For native image analysis, use the `image` tool with `agents.defaults.imageModel`.
For native image generation/editing, use `image_generate` with
`agents.defaults.imageGenerationModel`. If you pick `openai/*`, `google/*`,
`fal/*`, or another provider-specific image model, add that provider's auth/API
key too.

Config keys match the **skill name** by default. If a skill defines
`metadata.openclaw.skillKey`, use that key under `skills.entries`.

Rules:

- `enabled: false` disables the skill even if it’s bundled/installed.
- `env`: injected **only if** the variable isn’t already set in the process.
- `apiKey`: convenience for skills that declare `metadata.openclaw.primaryEnv`.
  Supports plaintext string or SecretRef object (`{ source, provider, id }`).
- `config`: optional bag for custom per-skill fields; custom keys must live here.
- `allowBundled`: optional allowlist for **bundled** skills only. If set, only
  bundled skills in the list are eligible (managed/workspace skills unaffected).

## Environment injection (per agent run)

When an agent run starts, OpenClaw:

1. Reads skill metadata.
2. Applies any `skills.entries.<key>.env` or `skills.entries.<key>.apiKey` to
   `process.env`.
3. Builds the system prompt with **eligible** skills.
4. Restores the original environment after the run ends.

This is **scoped to the agent run**, not a global shell environment.

## Session snapshot (performance)

OpenClaw snapshots the eligible skills **when a session starts** and reuses that list for subsequent turns in the same session. Changes to skills or config take effect on the next new session.

Skills can also refresh mid-session when the skills watcher is enabled or when a new eligible remote node appears (see below). Think of this as a **hot reload**: the refreshed list is picked up on the next agent turn.

If the effective agent skill allowlist changes for that session, OpenClaw
refreshes the snapshot so the visible skills stay aligned with the current
agent.

## Remote macOS nodes (Linux gateway)

If the Gateway is running on Linux but a **macOS node** is connected **with `system.run` allowed** (Exec approvals security not set to `deny`), OpenClaw can treat macOS-only skills as eligible when the required binaries are present on that node. The agent should execute those skills via the `exec` tool with `host=node`.

This relies on the node reporting its command support and on a bin probe via `system.run`. If the macOS node goes offline later, the skills remain visible; invocations may fail until the node reconnects.

## Skills watcher (auto-refresh)

By default, OpenClaw watches skill folders and bumps the skills snapshot when `SKILL.md` files change. Configure this under `skills.load`:

```json5
{
  skills: {
    load: {
      watch: true,
      watchDebounceMs: 250,
    },
  },
}
```

## Token impact (skills list)

When skills are eligible, OpenClaw injects a compact XML list of available skills into the system prompt (via `formatSkillsForPrompt` in `pi-coding-agent`). The cost is deterministic:

- **Base overhead (only when ≥1 skill):** 195 characters.
- **Per skill:** 97 characters + the length of the XML-escaped `<name>`, `<description>`, and `<location>` values.

Formula (characters):

```
total = 195 + Σ (97 + len(name_escaped) + len(description_escaped) + len(location_escaped))
```

Notes:

- XML escaping expands `& < > " '` into entities (`&amp;`, `&lt;`, etc.), increasing length.
- Token counts vary by model tokenizer. A rough OpenAI-style estimate is ~4 chars/token, so **97 chars ≈ 24 tokens** per skill plus your actual field lengths.

## Managed skills lifecycle

OpenClaw ships a baseline set of skills as **bundled skills** as part of the
install (npm package or OpenClaw.app). `~/.openclaw/skills` exists for local
overrides (for example, pinning/patching a skill without changing the bundled
copy). Workspace skills are user-owned and override both on name conflicts.

## Config reference

See [Skills config](/tools/skills-config) for the full configuration schema.

## Looking for more skills?

Browse [https://clawhub.ai](https://clawhub.ai).

---

## Related

- [Creating Skills](/tools/creating-skills) — building custom skills
- [Skills Config](/tools/skills-config) — skill configuration reference
- [Slash Commands](/tools/slash-commands) — all available slash commands
- [Plugins](/tools/plugin) — plugin system overview
