fix: default Discord voice to explicit opt-in

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ Docs: https://docs.openclaw.ai
 
 - Voice Call/Twilio: send notify-mode initial TwiML directly in the outbound create-call request while keeping conversation and pre-connect DTMF calls webhook-driven, so one-shot notify calls do not depend on a first-answer webhook fetch. Supersedes #72758. Thanks @tyshepps.
 - Discord/Slack: defer status-reaction cleanup until run finalization so queued, thinking, tool, and terminal reactions no longer flicker during normal progress updates. (#75582)
+- Discord/voice: leave Discord voice off for text-only configs unless `channels.discord.voice` is explicitly configured, avoiding default `GuildVoiceStates` traffic and idle gateway CPU pressure for bots that do not use `/vc`. Fixes #73753; refs #74044. Thanks @sanchezm86 and @SecureCloudProjO.
 - Discord/voice: rerun configured voice auto-join after Discord gateway RESUMED events and ignore already-destroyed stale voice connections during reconnect cleanup, so health-monitor account restarts can rejoin configured channels. Fixes #40665. Thanks @liz709.
 - Discord/voice: lengthen the default voice join Ready wait, add configurable `voice.connectTimeoutMs`/`voice.reconnectGraceMs`, and warn before destroying unrecovered disconnected sessions so slow Discord voice handshakes and reconnects no longer fail silently. Fixes #63098; refs #39825 and #65039. Thanks @darealgege, @kzicherman, and @ayochim.
 - Gateway/health: refresh cached health RPC snapshots when channel runtime state diverges, so Discord and other channel status reads no longer report stale running or connected values until the cache TTL expires. (#75423) Thanks @clawsweeper.

docs/channels/discord.md

@@ -1067,8 +1067,8 @@ Notes:
 - STT uses `tools.media.audio`; `voice.model` does not affect transcription.
 - Per-channel Discord `systemPrompt` overrides apply to voice transcript turns for that voice channel.
 - Voice transcript turns derive owner status from Discord `allowFrom` (or `dm.allowFrom`); non-owner speakers cannot access owner-only tools (for example `gateway` and `cron`).
-- Voice is enabled by default; set `channels.discord.voice.enabled=false` to disable voice runtime and the `GuildVoiceStates` gateway intent.
-- `channels.discord.intents.voiceStates` can explicitly override voice-state intent subscription. Leave it unset for the intent to follow `voice.enabled`.
+- Discord voice is opt-in for text-only configs; set `channels.discord.voice.enabled=true` (or keep an existing `channels.discord.voice` block) to enable `/vc` commands, the voice runtime, and the `GuildVoiceStates` gateway intent.
+- `channels.discord.intents.voiceStates` can explicitly override voice-state intent subscription. Leave it unset for the intent to follow effective voice enablement.
 - `voice.daveEncryption` and `voice.decryptionFailureTolerance` pass through to `@discordjs/voice` join options.
 - `@discordjs/voice` defaults are `daveEncryption=true` and `decryptionFailureTolerance=24` if unset.
 - `voice.connectTimeoutMs` controls the initial `@discordjs/voice` Ready wait for `/vc join` and auto-join attempts. Default: `30000`.

docs/gateway/config-channels.md

@@ -338,7 +338,7 @@ WhatsApp runs through the gateway's web channel (Baileys Web). It starts automat
   - `spawnSubagentSessions`: opt-in switch for `sessions_spawn({ thread: true })` auto thread creation/binding
 - Top-level `bindings[]` entries with `type: "acp"` configure persistent ACP bindings for channels and threads (use channel/thread id in `match.peer.id`). Field semantics are shared in [ACP Agents](/tools/acp-agents#channel-specific-settings).
 - `channels.discord.ui.components.accentColor` sets the accent color for Discord components v2 containers.
-- `channels.discord.voice` enables Discord voice channel conversations and optional auto-join + LLM + TTS overrides.
+- `channels.discord.voice` enables Discord voice channel conversations and optional auto-join + LLM + TTS overrides. Text-only Discord configs leave voice off by default; set `channels.discord.voice.enabled=true` to opt in.
 - `channels.discord.voice.model` optionally overrides the LLM model used for Discord voice channel responses.
 - `channels.discord.voice.daveEncryption` and `channels.discord.voice.decryptionFailureTolerance` pass through to `@discordjs/voice` DAVE options (`true` and `24` by default).
 - `channels.discord.voice.connectTimeoutMs` controls the initial `@discordjs/voice` Ready wait for `/vc join` and auto-join attempts (`30000` by default).

extensions/discord/src/config-ui-hints.ts

@@ -135,7 +135,7 @@ export const discordChannelConfigUiHints = {
   },
   "intents.voiceStates": {
     label: "Discord Voice States Intent",
-    help: "Enable the Guild Voice States intent. Defaults to the effective Discord voice setting; set false for text-only gateway sessions even when voice config is present.",
+    help: "Enable the Guild Voice States intent. Defaults to the effective Discord voice setting; set true only for Discord voice channel conversations.",
   },
   gatewayInfoTimeoutMs: {
     label: "Discord Gateway Metadata Timeout (ms)",
@@ -143,7 +143,7 @@ export const discordChannelConfigUiHints = {
   },
   "voice.enabled": {
     label: "Discord Voice Enabled",
-    help: "Enable Discord voice channel conversations (default: true). Set false for text-only gateway sessions.",
+    help: "Enable Discord voice channel conversations. Text-only Discord configs leave voice off by default; set true to enable /vc commands and the Guild Voice States intent.",
   },
   "voice.model": {
     label: "Discord Voice Model",

extensions/discord/src/monitor/gateway-plugin.test.ts

@@ -102,10 +102,14 @@ describe("createDiscordGatewayPlugin", () => {
     });
   }
 
-  it("includes GuildVoiceStates when voice is enabled by default", () => {
-    expect(resolveDiscordGatewayIntents() & GatewayIntents.GuildVoiceStates).toBe(
-      GatewayIntents.GuildVoiceStates,
-    );
+  it("omits GuildVoiceStates by default for text-only Discord configs", () => {
+    expect(resolveDiscordGatewayIntents() & GatewayIntents.GuildVoiceStates).toBe(0);
+  });
+
+  it("includes GuildVoiceStates when voice is enabled", () => {
+    const intents = resolveDiscordGatewayIntents({ voiceEnabled: true });
+
+    expect(intents & GatewayIntents.GuildVoiceStates).toBe(GatewayIntents.GuildVoiceStates);
   });
 
   it("omits GuildVoiceStates when voice is disabled", () => {
@@ -197,6 +201,22 @@ describe("createDiscordGatewayPlugin", () => {
     expect((options?.intents ?? 0) & GatewayIntents.GuildVoiceStates).toBe(0);
   });
 
+  it("omits voice states when Discord voice config is absent", () => {
+    const plugin = createPlugin(undefined, {});
+    const options = (plugin as unknown as { options?: { intents?: number } }).options;
+
+    expect((options?.intents ?? 0) & GatewayIntents.GuildVoiceStates).toBe(0);
+  });
+
+  it("keeps voice states for existing Discord voice config blocks", () => {
+    const plugin = createPlugin(undefined, { voice: {} });
+    const options = (plugin as unknown as { options?: { intents?: number } }).options;
+
+    expect((options?.intents ?? 0) & GatewayIntents.GuildVoiceStates).toBe(
+      GatewayIntents.GuildVoiceStates,
+    );
+  });
+
   it("leaves autoInteractions disabled so OpenClaw owns interaction handoff", () => {
     const plugin = createPlugin();
 

extensions/discord/src/monitor/gateway-plugin.ts

@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import type { RuntimeEnv } from "openclaw/plugin-sdk/runtime-env";
 import * as ws from "ws";
 import * as discordGateway from "../internal/gateway.js";
 import { validateDiscordProxyUrl } from "../proxy-fetch.js";
+import { resolveDiscordVoiceEnabled } from "../voice/config.js";
 import { DISCORD_GATEWAY_TRANSPORT_ACTIVITY_EVENT } from "./gateway-handle.js";
 import {
   fetchDiscordGatewayInfoWithTimeout,
@@ -70,7 +71,7 @@ type ResolveDiscordGatewayIntentsParams = {
 export function resolveDiscordGatewayIntents(params?: ResolveDiscordGatewayIntentsParams): number {
   const intentsConfig = params?.intentsConfig;
   const voiceEnabled = params?.voiceEnabled;
-  const voiceStatesEnabled = intentsConfig?.voiceStates ?? voiceEnabled ?? true;
+  const voiceStatesEnabled = intentsConfig?.voiceStates ?? voiceEnabled ?? false;
   let intents =
     discordGateway.GatewayIntents.Guilds |
     discordGateway.GatewayIntents.GuildMessages |
@@ -253,7 +254,7 @@ export function createDiscordGatewayPlugin(params: {
 }): discordGateway.GatewayPlugin {
   const intents = resolveDiscordGatewayIntents({
     intentsConfig: params.discordConfig?.intents,
-    voiceEnabled: params.discordConfig?.voice?.enabled !== false,
+    voiceEnabled: resolveDiscordVoiceEnabled(params.discordConfig?.voice),
   });
   const proxy = resolveEffectiveDebugProxyUrl(params.discordConfig?.proxy);
   const debugProxySettings = resolveDebugProxySettings();

extensions/discord/src/monitor/provider.test.ts

@@ -391,6 +391,25 @@ describe("monitorDiscordProvider", () => {
     expect(voiceRuntimeModuleLoadedMock).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
   });
 
+  it("does not load the Discord voice runtime for text-only default config", async () => {
+    resolveDiscordAccountMock.mockReturnValue({
+      accountId: "default",
+      token: "MTIz.abc.def",
+      config: {
+        commands: { native: true, nativeSkills: false },
+        agentComponents: { enabled: false },
+        execApprovals: { enabled: false },
+      },
+    });
+
+    await monitorDiscordProvider({
+      config: baseConfig(),
+      runtime: baseRuntime(),
+    });
+
+    expect(voiceRuntimeModuleLoadedMock).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+
   it("loads the Discord voice runtime only when voice is enabled", async () => {
     resolveDiscordAccountMock.mockReturnValue({
       accountId: "default",
@@ -411,6 +430,26 @@ describe("monitorDiscordProvider", () => {
     expect(voiceRuntimeModuleLoadedMock).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
   });
 
+  it("loads the Discord voice runtime for existing voice config blocks", async () => {
+    resolveDiscordAccountMock.mockReturnValue({
+      accountId: "default",
+      token: "MTIz.abc.def",
+      config: {
+        commands: { native: true, nativeSkills: false },
+        voice: {},
+        agentComponents: { enabled: false },
+        execApprovals: { enabled: false },
+      },
+    });
+
+    await monitorDiscordProvider({
+      config: baseConfig(),
+      runtime: baseRuntime(),
+    });
+
+    expect(voiceRuntimeModuleLoadedMock).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+  });
+
   it("wires exec approval button context from the resolved Discord account config", async () => {
     const cfg = createConfigWithDiscordAccount();
     const execApprovalsConfig = { enabled: true, approvers: ["123"] };

extensions/discord/src/monitor/provider.ts

@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ import { GatewayCloseCodes } from "../internal/gateway.js";
 import { fetchDiscordApplicationId, parseApplicationIdFromToken } from "../probe.js";
 import { resolveDiscordProxyFetchForAccount } from "../proxy-fetch.js";
 import { normalizeDiscordToken } from "../token.js";
+import { resolveDiscordVoiceEnabled } from "../voice/config.js";
 import { createDiscordAutoPresenceController } from "./auto-presence.js";
 import { resolveDiscordSlashCommandConfig } from "./commands.js";
 import type { MutableDiscordGateway } from "./gateway-handle.js";
@@ -282,7 +283,7 @@ export async function monitorDiscordProvider(opts: MonitorDiscordOpts = {}) {
   const slashCommand = resolveDiscordSlashCommandConfig(discordCfg.slashCommand);
   const sessionPrefix = "discord:slash";
   const ephemeralDefault = slashCommand.ephemeral;
-  const voiceEnabled = discordCfg.voice?.enabled !== false;
+  const voiceEnabled = resolveDiscordVoiceEnabled(discordCfg.voice);
 
   const allowlistResolved = await resolveDiscordAllowlistConfig({
     token,

extensions/discord/src/voice/config.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+import type { DiscordAccountConfig } from "openclaw/plugin-sdk/config-types";
+
+export function resolveDiscordVoiceEnabled(voice: DiscordAccountConfig["voice"]): boolean {
+  if (voice?.enabled !== undefined) {
+    return voice.enabled;
+  }
+  return voice !== undefined;
+}

extensions/discord/src/voice/manager.e2e.test.ts

@@ -213,7 +213,7 @@ describe("DiscordVoiceManager", () => {
   const createManager = (
     discordConfig: ConstructorParameters<
       typeof managerModule.DiscordVoiceManager
-    >[0]["discordConfig"] = {},
+    >[0]["discordConfig"] = { voice: { enabled: true } },
     clientOverride?: ReturnType<typeof createClient>,
     cfgOverride: ConstructorParameters<typeof managerModule.DiscordVoiceManager>[0]["cfg"] = {},
   ) =>
@@ -250,6 +250,17 @@ describe("DiscordVoiceManager", () => {
     );
   };
 
+  it("rejects joins when Discord voice config is absent", async () => {
+    const manager = createManager({});
+
+    await expect(manager.join({ guildId: "g1", channelId: "1001" })).resolves.toMatchObject({
+      ok: false,
+      message: "Discord voice is disabled (channels.discord.voice.enabled).",
+    });
+
+    expect(joinVoiceChannelMock).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+
   type ProcessSegmentInvoker = {
     processSegment: (params: {
       entry: unknown;

extensions/discord/src/voice/manager.ts

@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ import {
   scheduleVoiceCaptureFinalize,
   stopVoiceCaptureState,
 } from "./capture-state.js";
+import { resolveDiscordVoiceEnabled } from "./config.js";
 import {
   analyzeVoiceReceiveError,
   createVoiceReceiveRecoveryState,
@@ -102,7 +103,7 @@ export class DiscordVoiceManager {
     },
   ) {
     this.botUserId = params.botUserId;
-    this.voiceEnabled = params.discordConfig.voice?.enabled !== false;
+    this.voiceEnabled = resolveDiscordVoiceEnabled(params.discordConfig.voice);
     this.ownerAllowFrom =
       resolveDiscordAccountAllowFrom({ cfg: params.cfg, accountId: params.accountId }) ??
       params.discordConfig.allowFrom ??