fix(whatsapp): stop reconnecting quiet sockets

Fixes #70678.\n\nKeeps quiet but healthy WhatsApp linked-device sessions connected by tracking WhatsApp Web transport activity, while retaining a longer app-silence cap so frame activity cannot mask a stuck session forever. Also cleans up transport activity listeners on failed connection-open paths.\n\nCarries forward the focused #71466 approach and keeps #63939 as related configurable-timeout follow-up. Thanks @vincentkoc and @oromeis.\n\nValidation:\n- pnpm test:serial extensions/whatsapp/src/auto-reply.web-auto-reply.connection-and-logging.e2e.test.ts extensions/whatsapp/src/connection-controller.test.ts\n- pnpm check:changed\n- codex review --base origin/main

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ Docs: https://docs.openclaw.ai
 - Plugins: fail `plugins update` when tracked plugin or hook updates error, keep bundled runtime-dependency repair behind restrictive allowlists, and reject package installs with unloadable extension entries. Thanks @codex.
 - Gateway/chat: keep duplicate attachment-backed `chat.send` retries with the same idempotency key on the documented in-flight path so aborts still target the real active run. Fixes #70139. Thanks @Feelw00.
 - Plugins: share package entrypoint resolution between install and discovery, reject mismatched `runtimeExtensions`, and cache bundled runtime-dependency manifest reads during scans. Thanks @codex.
+- WhatsApp/Web: keep quiet but healthy linked-device sessions connected by basing the watchdog on WhatsApp Web transport activity, while retaining a longer app-silence cap so frame activity cannot mask a stuck session forever. Fixes #70678; carries forward the focused #71466 approach and keeps #63939 as related configurable-timeout follow-up. Thanks @vincentkoc and @oromeis.
 
 ## 2026.4.26
 

docs/channels/whatsapp.md

@@ -146,6 +146,7 @@ OpenClaw recommends running WhatsApp on a separate number when possible. (The ch
 ## Runtime model
 
 - Gateway owns the WhatsApp socket and reconnect loop.
+- The reconnect watchdog uses WhatsApp Web transport activity, not only inbound app-message volume, so a quiet linked-device session is not restarted solely because nobody has sent a message recently. A longer application-silence cap still forces a reconnect if transport frames keep arriving but no application messages are handled for the watchdog window.
 - Outbound sends require an active WhatsApp listener for the target account.
 - Status and broadcast chats are ignored (`@status`, `@broadcast`).
 - Direct chats use DM session rules (`session.dmScope`; default `main` collapses DMs to the agent main session).
@@ -510,6 +511,10 @@ Behavior notes:
   <Accordion title="Linked but disconnected / reconnect loop">
     Symptom: linked account with repeated disconnects or reconnect attempts.
 
+    Quiet accounts can stay connected past the normal message timeout; the watchdog
+    restarts when WhatsApp Web transport activity stops, the socket closes, or
+    application-level activity stays silent beyond the longer safety window.
+
     Fix:
 
     ```bash

extensions/whatsapp/src/auto-reply.test-harness.ts

@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 import "./test-helpers.js";
+import { EventEmitter } from "node:events";
 import fs from "node:fs/promises";
 import os from "node:os";
 import path from "node:path";
@@ -42,25 +43,57 @@ type WebAutoReplyMonitorHarness = {
   controller: AbortController;
   run: Promise<unknown>;
 };
+type MockSessionSocket = {
+  ev: { on: ReturnType<typeof vi.fn>; off: ReturnType<typeof vi.fn> };
+  ws: EventEmitter & { close: ReturnType<typeof vi.fn> };
+  user: { id: string };
+};
 
 export const TEST_NET_IP = "93.184.216.34";
+const WEB_AUTO_REPLY_SOCKETS_KEY = Symbol.for("openclaw:webAutoReplySessionSockets");
+
+function getSessionSockets(): MockSessionSocket[] {
+  const store = globalThis as Record<PropertyKey, unknown>;
+  if (!Array.isArray(store[WEB_AUTO_REPLY_SOCKETS_KEY])) {
+    store[WEB_AUTO_REPLY_SOCKETS_KEY] = [];
+  }
+  return store[WEB_AUTO_REPLY_SOCKETS_KEY] as MockSessionSocket[];
+}
 
 vi.mock("./session.js", async () => {
   const actual = await vi.importActual<typeof import("./session.js")>("./session.js");
   return {
     ...actual,
-    createWaSocket: vi.fn(async () => ({
-      ev: {
-        on: vi.fn(),
-        off: vi.fn(),
-      },
-      ws: { close: vi.fn() },
-      user: { id: "123@s.whatsapp.net" },
-    })),
+    createWaSocket: vi.fn(async () => {
+      const ws = new EventEmitter() as MockSessionSocket["ws"];
+      ws.close = vi.fn();
+      const sock: MockSessionSocket = {
+        ev: {
+          on: vi.fn(),
+          off: vi.fn(),
+        },
+        ws,
+        user: { id: "123@s.whatsapp.net" },
+      };
+      getSessionSockets().push(sock);
+      return sock;
+    }),
     waitForWaConnection: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(undefined),
   };
 });
 
+export function getLastWebAutoReplySessionSocket(): MockSessionSocket {
+  const last = getSessionSockets().at(-1);
+  if (!last) {
+    throw new Error("No WhatsApp Web auto-reply test socket created");
+  }
+  return last;
+}
+
+export function resetWebAutoReplySessionSockets() {
+  getSessionSockets().length = 0;
+}
+
 vi.mock("openclaw/plugin-sdk/agent-runtime", () => ({
   abortEmbeddedPiRun: vi.fn().mockReturnValue(false),
   appendCronStyleCurrentTimeLine: (text: string) => text,
@@ -166,6 +199,7 @@ export function installWebAutoReplyUnitTestHooks(opts?: { pinDns?: boolean }) {
 
   beforeEach(async () => {
     vi.clearAllMocks();
+    resetWebAutoReplySessionSockets();
     _resetBaileysMocks();
     _resetLoadConfigMock();
     if (opts?.pinDns) {

extensions/whatsapp/src/auto-reply.web-auto-reply.connection-and-logging.e2e.test.ts

@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import {
   createMockWebListener,
   createScriptedWebListenerFactory,
   createWebListenerFactoryCapture,
+  getLastWebAutoReplySessionSocket,
   installWebAutoReplyTestHomeHooks,
   installWebAutoReplyUnitTestHooks,
   makeSessionStore,
@@ -255,6 +256,92 @@ describe("web auto-reply connection", () => {
     }
   });
 
+  it("keeps quiet linked-device sessions open when transport frames keep arriving", async () => {
+    vi.useFakeTimers();
+    try {
+      const sleep = vi.fn(async () => {});
+      const scripted = createScriptedWebListenerFactory();
+      const { controller, run } = startWebAutoReplyMonitor({
+        monitorWebChannelFn: monitorWebChannel as never,
+        listenerFactory: scripted.listenerFactory,
+        sleep,
+        heartbeatSeconds: 60,
+        messageTimeoutMs: 30,
+        watchdogCheckMs: 5,
+      });
+
+      await vi.waitFor(
+        () => {
+          expect(scripted.getListenerCount()).toBe(1);
+        },
+        { timeout: 250, interval: 2 },
+      );
+
+      const socket = getLastWebAutoReplySessionSocket();
+      await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(20);
+      socket.ws.emit("frame");
+      await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(20);
+      socket.ws.emit("frame");
+      await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(20);
+
+      expect(scripted.getListenerCount()).toBe(1);
+
+      controller.abort();
+      scripted.resolveClose(0, { status: 499, isLoggedOut: false });
+      await Promise.resolve();
+      await run;
+    } finally {
+      vi.useRealTimers();
+    }
+  });
+
+  it("does not let transport frames mask application silence forever", async () => {
+    vi.useFakeTimers();
+    try {
+      const sleep = vi.fn(async () => {});
+      const scripted = createScriptedWebListenerFactory();
+      const { controller, run } = startWebAutoReplyMonitor({
+        monitorWebChannelFn: monitorWebChannel as never,
+        listenerFactory: scripted.listenerFactory,
+        sleep,
+        heartbeatSeconds: 60,
+        messageTimeoutMs: 30,
+        watchdogCheckMs: 5,
+      });
+
+      await vi.waitFor(
+        () => {
+          expect(scripted.getListenerCount()).toBe(1);
+        },
+        { timeout: 250, interval: 2 },
+      );
+
+      const socket = getLastWebAutoReplySessionSocket();
+      for (let elapsedMs = 0; elapsedMs < 140; elapsedMs += 20) {
+        socket.ws.emit("frame");
+        await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(20);
+      }
+
+      await vi.waitFor(
+        () => {
+          expect(scripted.getListenerCount()).toBeGreaterThanOrEqual(2);
+        },
+        { timeout: 250, interval: 2 },
+      );
+
+      controller.abort();
+      scripted.resolveClose(scripted.getListenerCount() - 1, {
+        status: 499,
+        isLoggedOut: false,
+        error: "aborted",
+      });
+      await Promise.resolve();
+      await run;
+    } finally {
+      vi.useRealTimers();
+    }
+  });
+
   it("gives a reconnected listener a fresh watchdog window", async () => {
     vi.useFakeTimers();
     try {

extensions/whatsapp/src/auto-reply/monitor.ts

@@ -280,6 +280,7 @@ export async function monitorWebChannel(
               reconnectAttempts: snapshot.reconnectAttempts,
               messagesHandled: snapshot.handledMessages,
               lastInboundAt: snapshot.lastInboundAt,
+              lastTransportActivityAt: snapshot.lastTransportActivityAt,
               authAgeMs,
               uptimeMs: snapshot.uptimeMs,
               ...(minutesSinceLastMessage !== null && minutesSinceLastMessage > 30
@@ -297,20 +298,28 @@ export async function monitorWebChannel(
             }
           },
           onWatchdogTimeout: (snapshot) => {
-            const watchdogBaselineAt = snapshot.lastInboundAt ?? snapshot.startedAt;
-            const minutesSinceLastMessage = Math.floor((Date.now() - watchdogBaselineAt) / 60000);
+            const now = Date.now();
+            const transportSilentMs = now - snapshot.lastTransportActivityAt;
+            const appBaselineAt = snapshot.lastInboundAt ?? snapshot.startedAt;
+            const minutesSinceTransportActivity = Math.floor(transportSilentMs / 60000);
+            const minutesSinceAppActivity = Math.floor((now - appBaselineAt) / 60000);
+            const watchdogReason =
+              transportSilentMs > messageTimeoutMs ? "transport-inactive" : "app-silent";
             statusController.noteWatchdogStale();
             heartbeatLogger.warn(
               {
                 connectionId: snapshot.connectionId,
-                minutesSinceLastMessage,
+                watchdogReason,
+                minutesSinceTransportActivity,
+                minutesSinceAppActivity,
                 lastInboundAt: snapshot.lastInboundAt ? new Date(snapshot.lastInboundAt) : null,
+                lastTransportActivityAt: new Date(snapshot.lastTransportActivityAt),
                 messagesHandled: snapshot.handledMessages,
               },
-              "Message timeout detected - forcing reconnect",
+              "WhatsApp watchdog timeout detected - forcing reconnect",
             );
             whatsappHeartbeatLog.warn(
-              `No messages received in ${minutesSinceLastMessage}m - restarting connection`,
+              `WhatsApp watchdog timeout (${watchdogReason}) - restarting connection`,
             );
           },
         });

extensions/whatsapp/src/connection-controller.ts

@@ -40,8 +40,10 @@ export type WhatsAppLiveConnection = {
   heartbeat: TimerHandle | null;
   watchdogTimer: TimerHandle | null;
   lastInboundAt: number | null;
+  lastTransportActivityAt: number;
   handledMessages: number;
   unregisterUnhandled: (() => void) | null;
+  unregisterTransportActivity: (() => void) | null;
   backgroundTasks: Set<Promise<unknown>>;
   closePromise: Promise<WebListenerCloseReason>;
   resolveClose: (reason: WebListenerCloseReason) => void;
@@ -51,6 +53,7 @@ export type WhatsAppConnectionSnapshot = {
   connectionId: string;
   startedAt: number;
   lastInboundAt: number | null;
+  lastTransportActivityAt: number;
   handledMessages: number;
   reconnectAttempts: number;
   uptimeMs: number;
@@ -83,6 +86,12 @@ function createNeverResolvePromise<T>(): Promise<T> {
   return new Promise<T>(() => {});
 }
 
+type SocketActivityEmitter = {
+  on?: (event: string, listener: (...args: unknown[]) => void) => void;
+  off?: (event: string, listener: (...args: unknown[]) => void) => void;
+  removeListener?: (event: string, listener: (...args: unknown[]) => void) => void;
+};
+
 function createLiveConnection(params: {
   connectionId: string;
   sock: WASocket;
@@ -108,8 +117,10 @@ function createLiveConnection(params: {
     heartbeat: null,
     watchdogTimer: null,
     lastInboundAt: null,
+    lastTransportActivityAt: Date.now(),
     handledMessages: 0,
     unregisterUnhandled: null,
+    unregisterTransportActivity: null,
     backgroundTasks: new Set<Promise<unknown>>(),
     closePromise,
     resolveClose: resolveClosePromise,
@@ -232,6 +243,7 @@ export class WhatsAppConnectionController {
   private readonly heartbeatSeconds: number;
   private readonly keepAlive: boolean;
   private readonly messageTimeoutMs: number;
+  private readonly appSilenceTimeoutMs: number;
   private readonly watchdogCheckMs: number;
   private readonly verbose: boolean;
   private readonly abortSignal?: AbortSignal;
@@ -262,6 +274,7 @@ export class WhatsAppConnectionController {
     this.keepAlive = params.keepAlive;
     this.heartbeatSeconds = params.heartbeatSeconds;
     this.messageTimeoutMs = params.messageTimeoutMs;
+    this.appSilenceTimeoutMs = Math.max(params.messageTimeoutMs, params.messageTimeoutMs * 4);
     this.watchdogCheckMs = params.watchdogCheckMs;
     this.reconnectPolicy = params.reconnectPolicy;
     this.abortSignal = params.abortSignal;
@@ -311,6 +324,14 @@ export class WhatsAppConnectionController {
     }
     this.current.handledMessages += 1;
     this.current.lastInboundAt = timestamp;
+    this.current.lastTransportActivityAt = timestamp;
+  }
+
+  noteTransportActivity(timestamp = Date.now()): void {
+    if (!this.current) {
+      return;
+    }
+    this.current.lastTransportActivityAt = timestamp;
   }
 
   getCurrentSnapshot(
@@ -323,6 +344,7 @@ export class WhatsAppConnectionController {
       connectionId: connection.connectionId,
       startedAt: connection.startedAt,
       lastInboundAt: connection.lastInboundAt,
+      lastTransportActivityAt: connection.lastTransportActivityAt,
       handledMessages: connection.handledMessages,
       reconnectAttempts: this.reconnectAttempts,
       uptimeMs: Date.now() - connection.startedAt,
@@ -369,6 +391,7 @@ export class WhatsAppConnectionController {
       const listener = await params.createListener({ sock, connection });
       connection.listener = listener;
       this.current = connection;
+      connection.unregisterTransportActivity = this.attachTransportActivityListener(sock);
       registerWhatsAppConnectionController(this.accountId, this);
       this.startTimers(connection, {
         onHeartbeat: params.onHeartbeat,
@@ -383,6 +406,7 @@ export class WhatsAppConnectionController {
       if (connection?.unregisterUnhandled) {
         connection.unregisterUnhandled();
       }
+      connection?.unregisterTransportActivity?.();
       throw err;
     }
   }
@@ -515,6 +539,7 @@ export class WhatsAppConnectionController {
       this.socketRef.current = null;
     }
     connection.unregisterUnhandled?.();
+    connection.unregisterTransportActivity?.();
     if (connection.heartbeat) {
       clearInterval(connection.heartbeat);
     }
@@ -563,9 +588,14 @@ export class WhatsAppConnectionController {
     }, this.heartbeatSeconds * 1000);
 
     connection.watchdogTimer = setInterval(() => {
-      const baselineAt = connection.lastInboundAt ?? connection.startedAt;
-      const staleForMs = Date.now() - baselineAt;
-      if (staleForMs <= this.messageTimeoutMs) {
+      const now = Date.now();
+      const transportStaleForMs = now - connection.lastTransportActivityAt;
+      const appBaselineAt = connection.lastInboundAt ?? connection.startedAt;
+      const appSilentForMs = now - appBaselineAt;
+      if (
+        transportStaleForMs <= this.messageTimeoutMs &&
+        appSilentForMs <= this.appSilenceTimeoutMs
+      ) {
         return;
       }
       const snapshot = this.getCurrentSnapshot(connection);
@@ -581,6 +611,24 @@ export class WhatsAppConnectionController {
     }, this.watchdogCheckMs);
   }
 
+  private attachTransportActivityListener(sock: WASocket): (() => void) | null {
+    const ws = sock.ws as SocketActivityEmitter | undefined;
+    if (!ws || typeof ws.on !== "function") {
+      return null;
+    }
+
+    const noteActivity = () => this.noteTransportActivity();
+    ws.on("frame", noteActivity);
+
+    return () => {
+      if (typeof ws.off === "function") {
+        ws.off("frame", noteActivity);
+        return;
+      }
+      ws.removeListener?.("frame", noteActivity);
+    };
+  }
+
   private stopDisconnectRetries(): void {
     if (!this.disconnectRetryController.signal.aborted) {
       this.disconnectRetryController.abort();