diff --git a/extensions/matrix/src/matrix/actions/client.ts b/extensions/matrix/src/matrix/actions/client.ts
index cf11c494b8d..ae2a589cc88 100644
--- a/extensions/matrix/src/matrix/actions/client.ts
+++ b/extensions/matrix/src/matrix/actions/client.ts
@@ -58,3 +58,10 @@ export async function withResolvedActionClient<T>(
     await stopActionClient(resolved, mode);
   }
 }
+
+export async function withStartedActionClient<T>(
+  opts: MatrixActionClientOpts,
+  run: (client: MatrixActionClient["client"]) => Promise<T>,
+): Promise<T> {
+  return await withResolvedActionClient({ ...opts, readiness: "started" }, run, "persist");
+}
diff --git a/extensions/matrix/src/matrix/actions/devices.test.ts b/extensions/matrix/src/matrix/actions/devices.test.ts
index 4a90d5e1925..727719a17d2 100644
--- a/extensions/matrix/src/matrix/actions/devices.test.ts
+++ b/extensions/matrix/src/matrix/actions/devices.test.ts
@@ -1,9 +1,9 @@
 import { beforeEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
 
-const withResolvedActionClientMock = vi.fn();
+const withStartedActionClientMock = vi.fn();
 
 vi.mock("./client.js", () => ({
-  withResolvedActionClient: (...args: unknown[]) => withResolvedActionClientMock(...args),
+  withStartedActionClient: (...args: unknown[]) => withStartedActionClientMock(...args),
 }));
 
 let listMatrixOwnDevices: typeof import("./devices.js").listMatrixOwnDevices;
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ describe("matrix device actions", () => {
   });
 
   it("lists own devices on a started client", async () => {
-    withResolvedActionClientMock.mockImplementation(async (_opts, run) => {
+    withStartedActionClientMock.mockImplementation(async (_opts, run) => {
       return await run({
         listOwnDevices: vi.fn(async () => [
           {
@@ -33,10 +33,9 @@ describe("matrix device actions", () => {
 
     const result = await listMatrixOwnDevices({ accountId: "poe" });
 
-    expect(withResolvedActionClientMock).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
-      { accountId: "poe", readiness: "started" },
+    expect(withStartedActionClientMock).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      { accountId: "poe" },
       expect.any(Function),
-      "persist",
     );
     expect(result).toEqual([
       expect.objectContaining({
@@ -60,7 +59,7 @@ describe("matrix device actions", () => {
         },
       ],
     }));
-    withResolvedActionClientMock.mockImplementation(async (_opts, run) => {
+    withStartedActionClientMock.mockImplementation(async (_opts, run) => {
       return await run({
         listOwnDevices: vi.fn(async () => [
           {
diff --git a/extensions/matrix/src/matrix/actions/devices.ts b/extensions/matrix/src/matrix/actions/devices.ts
index 452f4e72d7e..ab6769cbfb8 100644
--- a/extensions/matrix/src/matrix/actions/devices.ts
+++ b/extensions/matrix/src/matrix/actions/devices.ts
@@ -1,44 +1,34 @@
 import { summarizeMatrixDeviceHealth } from "../device-health.js";
-import { withResolvedActionClient } from "./client.js";
+import { withStartedActionClient } from "./client.js";
 import type { MatrixActionClientOpts } from "./types.js";
 
 export async function listMatrixOwnDevices(opts: MatrixActionClientOpts = {}) {
-  return await withResolvedActionClient(
-    { ...opts, readiness: "started" },
-    async (client) => await client.listOwnDevices(),
-    "persist",
-  );
+  return await withStartedActionClient(opts, async (client) => await client.listOwnDevices());
 }
 
 export async function pruneMatrixStaleGatewayDevices(opts: MatrixActionClientOpts = {}) {
-  return await withResolvedActionClient(
-    { ...opts, readiness: "started" },
-    async (client) => {
-      const devices = await client.listOwnDevices();
-      const health = summarizeMatrixDeviceHealth(devices);
-      const staleGatewayDeviceIds = health.staleOpenClawDevices.map((device) => device.deviceId);
-      const deleted =
-        staleGatewayDeviceIds.length > 0
-          ? await client.deleteOwnDevices(staleGatewayDeviceIds)
-          : {
-              currentDeviceId: devices.find((device) => device.current)?.deviceId ?? null,
-              deletedDeviceIds: [] as string[],
-              remainingDevices: devices,
-            };
-      return {
-        before: devices,
-        staleGatewayDeviceIds,
-        ...deleted,
-      };
-    },
-    "persist",
-  );
+  return await withStartedActionClient(opts, async (client) => {
+    const devices = await client.listOwnDevices();
+    const health = summarizeMatrixDeviceHealth(devices);
+    const staleGatewayDeviceIds = health.staleOpenClawDevices.map((device) => device.deviceId);
+    const deleted =
+      staleGatewayDeviceIds.length > 0
+        ? await client.deleteOwnDevices(staleGatewayDeviceIds)
+        : {
+            currentDeviceId: devices.find((device) => device.current)?.deviceId ?? null,
+            deletedDeviceIds: [] as string[],
+            remainingDevices: devices,
+          };
+    return {
+      before: devices,
+      staleGatewayDeviceIds,
+      ...deleted,
+    };
+  });
 }
 
 export async function getMatrixDeviceHealth(opts: MatrixActionClientOpts = {}) {
-  return await withResolvedActionClient(
-    { ...opts, readiness: "started" },
-    async (client) => summarizeMatrixDeviceHealth(await client.listOwnDevices()),
-    "persist",
+  return await withStartedActionClient(opts, async (client) =>
+    summarizeMatrixDeviceHealth(await client.listOwnDevices()),
   );
 }
diff --git a/extensions/matrix/src/matrix/actions/verification.test.ts b/extensions/matrix/src/matrix/actions/verification.test.ts
index 2d1eb954cb1..668d9fe51fe 100644
--- a/extensions/matrix/src/matrix/actions/verification.test.ts
+++ b/extensions/matrix/src/matrix/actions/verification.test.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import { beforeEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
 
-const withResolvedActionClientMock = vi.fn();
+const withStartedActionClientMock = vi.fn();
 const loadConfigMock = vi.fn(() => ({
   channels: {
     matrix: {},
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ vi.mock("../../runtime.js", () => ({
 }));
 
 vi.mock("./client.js", () => ({
-  withResolvedActionClient: (...args: unknown[]) => withResolvedActionClientMock(...args),
+  withStartedActionClient: (...args: unknown[]) => withStartedActionClientMock(...args),
 }));
 
 let listMatrixVerifications: typeof import("./verification.js").listMatrixVerifications;
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ describe("matrix verification actions", () => {
         },
       },
     });
-    withResolvedActionClientMock.mockImplementation(async (_opts, run) => {
+    withStartedActionClientMock.mockImplementation(async (_opts, run) => {
       return await run({ crypto: null });
     });
 
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ describe("matrix verification actions", () => {
         },
       },
     });
-    withResolvedActionClientMock.mockImplementation(async (_opts, run) => {
+    withStartedActionClientMock.mockImplementation(async (_opts, run) => {
       return await run({ crypto: null });
     });
 
diff --git a/extensions/matrix/src/matrix/actions/verification.ts b/extensions/matrix/src/matrix/actions/verification.ts
index adad96e954d..f017d495930 100644
--- a/extensions/matrix/src/matrix/actions/verification.ts
+++ b/extensions/matrix/src/matrix/actions/verification.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import { getMatrixRuntime } from "../../runtime.js";
 import type { CoreConfig } from "../../types.js";
 import { formatMatrixEncryptionUnavailableError } from "../encryption-guidance.js";
-import { withResolvedActionClient } from "./client.js";
+import { withStartedActionClient } from "./client.js";
 import type { MatrixActionClientOpts } from "./types.js";
 
 function requireCrypto(
@@ -24,14 +24,10 @@ function resolveVerificationId(input: string): string {
 }
 
 export async function listMatrixVerifications(opts: MatrixActionClientOpts = {}) {
-  return await withResolvedActionClient(
-    { ...opts, readiness: "started" },
-    async (client) => {
-      const crypto = requireCrypto(client, opts);
-      return await crypto.listVerifications();
-    },
-    "persist",
-  );
+  return await withStartedActionClient(opts, async (client) => {
+    const crypto = requireCrypto(client, opts);
+    return await crypto.listVerifications();
+  });
 }
 
 export async function requestMatrixVerification(
@@ -42,79 +38,59 @@ export async function requestMatrixVerification(
     roomId?: string;
   } = {},
 ) {
-  return await withResolvedActionClient(
-    { ...params, readiness: "started" },
-    async (client) => {
-      const crypto = requireCrypto(client, params);
-      const ownUser = params.ownUser ?? (!params.userId && !params.deviceId && !params.roomId);
-      return await crypto.requestVerification({
-        ownUser,
-        userId: params.userId?.trim() || undefined,
-        deviceId: params.deviceId?.trim() || undefined,
-        roomId: params.roomId?.trim() || undefined,
-      });
-    },
-    "persist",
-  );
+  return await withStartedActionClient(params, async (client) => {
+    const crypto = requireCrypto(client, params);
+    const ownUser = params.ownUser ?? (!params.userId && !params.deviceId && !params.roomId);
+    return await crypto.requestVerification({
+      ownUser,
+      userId: params.userId?.trim() || undefined,
+      deviceId: params.deviceId?.trim() || undefined,
+      roomId: params.roomId?.trim() || undefined,
+    });
+  });
 }
 
 export async function acceptMatrixVerification(
   requestId: string,
   opts: MatrixActionClientOpts = {},
 ) {
-  return await withResolvedActionClient(
-    { ...opts, readiness: "started" },
-    async (client) => {
-      const crypto = requireCrypto(client, opts);
-      return await crypto.acceptVerification(resolveVerificationId(requestId));
-    },
-    "persist",
-  );
+  return await withStartedActionClient(opts, async (client) => {
+    const crypto = requireCrypto(client, opts);
+    return await crypto.acceptVerification(resolveVerificationId(requestId));
+  });
 }
 
 export async function cancelMatrixVerification(
   requestId: string,
   opts: MatrixActionClientOpts & { reason?: string; code?: string } = {},
 ) {
-  return await withResolvedActionClient(
-    { ...opts, readiness: "started" },
-    async (client) => {
-      const crypto = requireCrypto(client, opts);
-      return await crypto.cancelVerification(resolveVerificationId(requestId), {
-        reason: opts.reason?.trim() || undefined,
-        code: opts.code?.trim() || undefined,
-      });
-    },
-    "persist",
-  );
+  return await withStartedActionClient(opts, async (client) => {
+    const crypto = requireCrypto(client, opts);
+    return await crypto.cancelVerification(resolveVerificationId(requestId), {
+      reason: opts.reason?.trim() || undefined,
+      code: opts.code?.trim() || undefined,
+    });
+  });
 }
 
 export async function startMatrixVerification(
   requestId: string,
   opts: MatrixActionClientOpts & { method?: "sas" } = {},
 ) {
-  return await withResolvedActionClient(
-    { ...opts, readiness: "started" },
-    async (client) => {
-      const crypto = requireCrypto(client, opts);
-      return await crypto.startVerification(resolveVerificationId(requestId), opts.method ?? "sas");
-    },
-    "persist",
-  );
+  return await withStartedActionClient(opts, async (client) => {
+    const crypto = requireCrypto(client, opts);
+    return await crypto.startVerification(resolveVerificationId(requestId), opts.method ?? "sas");
+  });
 }
 
 export async function generateMatrixVerificationQr(
   requestId: string,
   opts: MatrixActionClientOpts = {},
 ) {
-  return await withResolvedActionClient(
-    { ...opts, readiness: "started" },
-    async (client) => {
-      const crypto = requireCrypto(client, opts);
-      return await crypto.generateVerificationQr(resolveVerificationId(requestId));
-    },
-    "persist",
-  );
+  return await withStartedActionClient(opts, async (client) => {
+    const crypto = requireCrypto(client, opts);
+    return await crypto.generateVerificationQr(resolveVerificationId(requestId));
+  });
 }
 
 export async function scanMatrixVerificationQr(
@@ -122,125 +98,96 @@ export async function scanMatrixVerificationQr(
   qrDataBase64: string,
   opts: MatrixActionClientOpts = {},
 ) {
-  return await withResolvedActionClient(
-    { ...opts, readiness: "started" },
-    async (client) => {
-      const crypto = requireCrypto(client, opts);
-      const payload = qrDataBase64.trim();
-      if (!payload) {
-        throw new Error("Matrix QR data is required");
-      }
-      return await crypto.scanVerificationQr(resolveVerificationId(requestId), payload);
-    },
-    "persist",
-  );
+  return await withStartedActionClient(opts, async (client) => {
+    const crypto = requireCrypto(client, opts);
+    const payload = qrDataBase64.trim();
+    if (!payload) {
+      throw new Error("Matrix QR data is required");
+    }
+    return await crypto.scanVerificationQr(resolveVerificationId(requestId), payload);
+  });
 }
 
 export async function getMatrixVerificationSas(
   requestId: string,
   opts: MatrixActionClientOpts = {},
 ) {
-  return await withResolvedActionClient(
-    { ...opts, readiness: "started" },
-    async (client) => {
-      const crypto = requireCrypto(client, opts);
-      return await crypto.getVerificationSas(resolveVerificationId(requestId));
-    },
-    "persist",
-  );
+  return await withStartedActionClient(opts, async (client) => {
+    const crypto = requireCrypto(client, opts);
+    return await crypto.getVerificationSas(resolveVerificationId(requestId));
+  });
 }
 
 export async function confirmMatrixVerificationSas(
   requestId: string,
   opts: MatrixActionClientOpts = {},
 ) {
-  return await withResolvedActionClient(
-    { ...opts, readiness: "started" },
-    async (client) => {
-      const crypto = requireCrypto(client, opts);
-      return await crypto.confirmVerificationSas(resolveVerificationId(requestId));
-    },
-    "persist",
-  );
+  return await withStartedActionClient(opts, async (client) => {
+    const crypto = requireCrypto(client, opts);
+    return await crypto.confirmVerificationSas(resolveVerificationId(requestId));
+  });
 }
 
 export async function mismatchMatrixVerificationSas(
   requestId: string,
   opts: MatrixActionClientOpts = {},
 ) {
-  return await withResolvedActionClient(
-    { ...opts, readiness: "started" },
-    async (client) => {
-      const crypto = requireCrypto(client, opts);
-      return await crypto.mismatchVerificationSas(resolveVerificationId(requestId));
-    },
-    "persist",
-  );
+  return await withStartedActionClient(opts, async (client) => {
+    const crypto = requireCrypto(client, opts);
+    return await crypto.mismatchVerificationSas(resolveVerificationId(requestId));
+  });
 }
 
 export async function confirmMatrixVerificationReciprocateQr(
   requestId: string,
   opts: MatrixActionClientOpts = {},
 ) {
-  return await withResolvedActionClient(
-    { ...opts, readiness: "started" },
-    async (client) => {
-      const crypto = requireCrypto(client, opts);
-      return await crypto.confirmVerificationReciprocateQr(resolveVerificationId(requestId));
-    },
-    "persist",
-  );
+  return await withStartedActionClient(opts, async (client) => {
+    const crypto = requireCrypto(client, opts);
+    return await crypto.confirmVerificationReciprocateQr(resolveVerificationId(requestId));
+  });
 }
 
 export async function getMatrixEncryptionStatus(
   opts: MatrixActionClientOpts & { includeRecoveryKey?: boolean } = {},
 ) {
-  return await withResolvedActionClient(
-    { ...opts, readiness: "started" },
-    async (client) => {
-      const crypto = requireCrypto(client, opts);
-      const recoveryKey = await crypto.getRecoveryKey();
-      return {
-        encryptionEnabled: true,
-        recoveryKeyStored: Boolean(recoveryKey),
-        recoveryKeyCreatedAt: recoveryKey?.createdAt ?? null,
-        ...(opts.includeRecoveryKey ? { recoveryKey: recoveryKey?.encodedPrivateKey ?? null } : {}),
-        pendingVerifications: (await crypto.listVerifications()).length,
-      };
-    },
-    "persist",
-  );
+  return await withStartedActionClient(opts, async (client) => {
+    const crypto = requireCrypto(client, opts);
+    const recoveryKey = await crypto.getRecoveryKey();
+    return {
+      encryptionEnabled: true,
+      recoveryKeyStored: Boolean(recoveryKey),
+      recoveryKeyCreatedAt: recoveryKey?.createdAt ?? null,
+      ...(opts.includeRecoveryKey ? { recoveryKey: recoveryKey?.encodedPrivateKey ?? null } : {}),
+      pendingVerifications: (await crypto.listVerifications()).length,
+    };
+  });
 }
 
 export async function getMatrixVerificationStatus(
   opts: MatrixActionClientOpts & { includeRecoveryKey?: boolean } = {},
 ) {
-  return await withResolvedActionClient(
-    { ...opts, readiness: "started" },
-    async (client) => {
-      const status = await client.getOwnDeviceVerificationStatus();
-      const payload = {
-        ...status,
-        pendingVerifications: client.crypto ? (await client.crypto.listVerifications()).length : 0,
-      };
-      if (!opts.includeRecoveryKey) {
-        return payload;
-      }
-      const recoveryKey = client.crypto ? await client.crypto.getRecoveryKey() : null;
-      return {
-        ...payload,
-        recoveryKey: recoveryKey?.encodedPrivateKey ?? null,
-      };
-    },
-    "persist",
-  );
+  return await withStartedActionClient(opts, async (client) => {
+    const status = await client.getOwnDeviceVerificationStatus();
+    const payload = {
+      ...status,
+      pendingVerifications: client.crypto ? (await client.crypto.listVerifications()).length : 0,
+    };
+    if (!opts.includeRecoveryKey) {
+      return payload;
+    }
+    const recoveryKey = client.crypto ? await client.crypto.getRecoveryKey() : null;
+    return {
+      ...payload,
+      recoveryKey: recoveryKey?.encodedPrivateKey ?? null,
+    };
+  });
 }
 
 export async function getMatrixRoomKeyBackupStatus(opts: MatrixActionClientOpts = {}) {
-  return await withResolvedActionClient(
-    { ...opts, readiness: "started" },
+  return await withStartedActionClient(
+    opts,
     async (client) => await client.getRoomKeyBackupStatus(),
-    "persist",
   );
 }
 
@@ -248,10 +195,9 @@ export async function verifyMatrixRecoveryKey(
   recoveryKey: string,
   opts: MatrixActionClientOpts = {},
 ) {
-  return await withResolvedActionClient(
-    { ...opts, readiness: "started" },
+  return await withStartedActionClient(
+    opts,
     async (client) => await client.verifyWithRecoveryKey(recoveryKey),
-    "persist",
   );
 }
 
@@ -260,13 +206,12 @@ export async function restoreMatrixRoomKeyBackup(
     recoveryKey?: string;
   } = {},
 ) {
-  return await withResolvedActionClient(
-    { ...opts, readiness: "started" },
+  return await withStartedActionClient(
+    opts,
     async (client) =>
       await client.restoreRoomKeyBackup({
         recoveryKey: opts.recoveryKey?.trim() || undefined,
       }),
-    "persist",
   );
 }
 
@@ -276,13 +221,12 @@ export async function bootstrapMatrixVerification(
     forceResetCrossSigning?: boolean;
   } = {},
 ) {
-  return await withResolvedActionClient(
-    { ...opts, readiness: "started" },
+  return await withStartedActionClient(
+    opts,
     async (client) =>
       await client.bootstrapOwnDeviceVerification({
         recoveryKey: opts.recoveryKey?.trim() || undefined,
         forceResetCrossSigning: opts.forceResetCrossSigning === true,
       }),
-    "persist",
   );
 }