diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index a560f5b3e03..2e64738e392 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@ Docs: https://docs.openclaw.ai
 - Matrix/exec approvals: clarify unavailable-approval replies so Matrix no longer claims chat approvals are unsupported when native exec approvals are merely unconfigured. (#61424) Thanks @gumadeiras.
 - Docs/IRC: replace public IRC hostname examples with `irc.example.com` and recommend private servers for bot coordination while listing common public networks for intentional use.
 - Memory/dreaming: write dreaming trail content to top-level `DREAMS.md` instead of daily memory notes, update `/dreaming` help text to point there, and keep `DREAMS.md` available for explicit reads without pulling it into default recall. Thanks @davemorin.
+- Plugins/Lobster: run bundled Lobster workflows in process instead of spawning the external CLI, reducing transport overhead and unblocking native runtime integration. (#61523) Thanks @mbelinky.
 
 ### Fixes
 
diff --git a/extensions/lobster/package.json b/extensions/lobster/package.json
index e070faf1ec0..1918a55ea67 100644
--- a/extensions/lobster/package.json
+++ b/extensions/lobster/package.json
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
   "description": "Lobster workflow tool plugin (typed pipelines + resumable approvals)",
   "type": "module",
   "dependencies": {
+    "@clawdbot/lobster": "2026.1.24",
     "@sinclair/typebox": "0.34.49"
   },
   "openclaw": {
diff --git a/extensions/lobster/src/lobster-runner.test.ts b/extensions/lobster/src/lobster-runner.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..28c910c9292
--- /dev/null
+++ b/extensions/lobster/src/lobster-runner.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,286 @@
+import fs from "node:fs/promises";
+import os from "node:os";
+import path from "node:path";
+import { afterEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
+import { createEmbeddedLobsterRunner, resolveLobsterCwd } from "./lobster-runner.js";
+
+describe("resolveLobsterCwd", () => {
+  it("defaults to the current working directory", () => {
+    expect(resolveLobsterCwd(undefined)).toBe(process.cwd());
+  });
+
+  it("keeps relative paths inside the repo root", () => {
+    expect(resolveLobsterCwd("extensions/lobster")).toBe(
+      path.resolve(process.cwd(), "extensions/lobster"),
+    );
+  });
+});
+
+describe("createEmbeddedLobsterRunner", () => {
+  afterEach(() => {
+    vi.restoreAllMocks();
+  });
+
+  it("runs inline pipelines through the embedded runtime", async () => {
+    const runtime = {
+      runToolRequest: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue({
+        ok: true,
+        protocolVersion: 1,
+        status: "ok",
+        output: [{ hello: "world" }],
+        requiresApproval: null,
+      }),
+      resumeToolRequest: vi.fn(),
+    };
+
+    const runner = createEmbeddedLobsterRunner({
+      loadRuntime: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(runtime),
+    });
+
+    const envelope = await runner.run({
+      action: "run",
+      pipeline: "exec --json=true echo hi",
+      cwd: process.cwd(),
+      timeoutMs: 2000,
+      maxStdoutBytes: 4096,
+    });
+
+    expect(runtime.runToolRequest).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+    expect(runtime.runToolRequest).toHaveBeenCalledWith({
+      pipeline: "exec --json=true echo hi",
+      ctx: expect.objectContaining({
+        cwd: process.cwd(),
+        mode: "tool",
+        signal: expect.any(AbortSignal),
+      }),
+    });
+    expect(envelope).toEqual({
+      ok: true,
+      status: "ok",
+      output: [{ hello: "world" }],
+      requiresApproval: null,
+    });
+  });
+
+  it("detects workflow files and parses argsJson", async () => {
+    const tempDir = await fs.mkdtemp(path.join(os.tmpdir(), "openclaw-lobster-runner-"));
+    const workflowPath = path.join(tempDir, "workflow.lobster");
+    await fs.writeFile(workflowPath, "steps: []\n", "utf8");
+
+    try {
+      const runtime = {
+        runToolRequest: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue({
+          ok: true,
+          protocolVersion: 1,
+          status: "ok",
+          output: [],
+          requiresApproval: null,
+        }),
+        resumeToolRequest: vi.fn(),
+      };
+
+      const runner = createEmbeddedLobsterRunner({
+        loadRuntime: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(runtime),
+      });
+
+      await runner.run({
+        action: "run",
+        pipeline: "workflow.lobster",
+        argsJson: '{"limit":3}',
+        cwd: tempDir,
+        timeoutMs: 2000,
+        maxStdoutBytes: 4096,
+      });
+
+      expect(runtime.runToolRequest).toHaveBeenCalledWith({
+        filePath: workflowPath,
+        args: { limit: 3 },
+        ctx: expect.objectContaining({
+          cwd: tempDir,
+          mode: "tool",
+        }),
+      });
+    } finally {
+      await fs.rm(tempDir, { recursive: true, force: true });
+    }
+  });
+
+  it("returns a parse error when workflow args are invalid JSON", async () => {
+    const tempDir = await fs.mkdtemp(path.join(os.tmpdir(), "openclaw-lobster-runner-"));
+    const workflowPath = path.join(tempDir, "workflow.lobster");
+    await fs.writeFile(workflowPath, "steps: []\n", "utf8");
+
+    try {
+      const runtime = {
+        runToolRequest: vi.fn(),
+        resumeToolRequest: vi.fn(),
+      };
+      const runner = createEmbeddedLobsterRunner({
+        loadRuntime: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(runtime),
+      });
+
+      await expect(
+        runner.run({
+          action: "run",
+          pipeline: "workflow.lobster",
+          argsJson: "{bad",
+          cwd: tempDir,
+          timeoutMs: 2000,
+          maxStdoutBytes: 4096,
+        }),
+      ).rejects.toThrow("run --args-json must be valid JSON");
+      expect(runtime.runToolRequest).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    } finally {
+      await fs.rm(tempDir, { recursive: true, force: true });
+    }
+  });
+
+  it("throws when the embedded runtime returns an error envelope", async () => {
+    const runtime = {
+      runToolRequest: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue({
+        ok: false,
+        protocolVersion: 1,
+        error: {
+          type: "runtime_error",
+          message: "boom",
+        },
+      }),
+      resumeToolRequest: vi.fn(),
+    };
+
+    const runner = createEmbeddedLobsterRunner({
+      loadRuntime: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(runtime),
+    });
+
+    await expect(
+      runner.run({
+        action: "run",
+        pipeline: "exec --json=true echo hi",
+        cwd: process.cwd(),
+        timeoutMs: 2000,
+        maxStdoutBytes: 4096,
+      }),
+    ).rejects.toThrow("boom");
+  });
+
+  it("routes resume through the embedded runtime", async () => {
+    const runtime = {
+      runToolRequest: vi.fn(),
+      resumeToolRequest: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue({
+        ok: true,
+        protocolVersion: 1,
+        status: "cancelled",
+        output: [],
+        requiresApproval: null,
+      }),
+    };
+
+    const runner = createEmbeddedLobsterRunner({
+      loadRuntime: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(runtime),
+    });
+
+    const envelope = await runner.run({
+      action: "resume",
+      token: "resume-token",
+      approve: false,
+      cwd: process.cwd(),
+      timeoutMs: 2000,
+      maxStdoutBytes: 4096,
+    });
+
+    expect(runtime.resumeToolRequest).toHaveBeenCalledWith({
+      token: "resume-token",
+      approved: false,
+      ctx: expect.objectContaining({
+        cwd: process.cwd(),
+        mode: "tool",
+        signal: expect.any(AbortSignal),
+      }),
+    });
+    expect(envelope).toEqual({
+      ok: true,
+      status: "cancelled",
+      output: [],
+      requiresApproval: null,
+    });
+  });
+
+  it("requires a pipeline for run", async () => {
+    const runner = createEmbeddedLobsterRunner({
+      loadRuntime: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue({
+        runToolRequest: vi.fn(),
+        resumeToolRequest: vi.fn(),
+      }),
+    });
+
+    await expect(
+      runner.run({
+        action: "run",
+        cwd: process.cwd(),
+        timeoutMs: 2000,
+        maxStdoutBytes: 4096,
+      }),
+    ).rejects.toThrow(/pipeline required/);
+  });
+
+  it("requires token and approve for resume", async () => {
+    const runner = createEmbeddedLobsterRunner({
+      loadRuntime: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue({
+        runToolRequest: vi.fn(),
+        resumeToolRequest: vi.fn(),
+      }),
+    });
+
+    await expect(
+      runner.run({
+        action: "resume",
+        approve: true,
+        cwd: process.cwd(),
+        timeoutMs: 2000,
+        maxStdoutBytes: 4096,
+      }),
+    ).rejects.toThrow(/token required/);
+
+    await expect(
+      runner.run({
+        action: "resume",
+        token: "resume-token",
+        cwd: process.cwd(),
+        timeoutMs: 2000,
+        maxStdoutBytes: 4096,
+      }),
+    ).rejects.toThrow(/approve required/);
+  });
+
+  it("aborts long-running embedded work", async () => {
+    const runtime = {
+      runToolRequest: vi.fn(
+        async ({ ctx }: { ctx?: { signal?: AbortSignal } }) =>
+          await new Promise((resolve, reject) => {
+            ctx?.signal?.addEventListener("abort", () => {
+              reject(ctx.signal?.reason ?? new Error("aborted"));
+            });
+            setTimeout(
+              () => resolve({ ok: true, status: "ok", output: [], requiresApproval: null }),
+              500,
+            );
+          }),
+      ),
+      resumeToolRequest: vi.fn(),
+    };
+
+    const runner = createEmbeddedLobsterRunner({
+      loadRuntime: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(runtime),
+    });
+
+    await expect(
+      runner.run({
+        action: "run",
+        pipeline: "exec --json=true echo hi",
+        cwd: process.cwd(),
+        timeoutMs: 200,
+        maxStdoutBytes: 4096,
+      }),
+    ).rejects.toThrow(/timed out|aborted/);
+  });
+});
diff --git a/extensions/lobster/src/lobster-runner.ts b/extensions/lobster/src/lobster-runner.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..93598594e12
--- /dev/null
+++ b/extensions/lobster/src/lobster-runner.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,728 @@
+import { randomUUID } from "node:crypto";
+import { createRequire } from "node:module";
+import path from "node:path";
+import { Readable, Writable } from "node:stream";
+import { pathToFileURL } from "node:url";
+
+export type LobsterEnvelope =
+  | {
+      ok: true;
+      status: "ok" | "needs_approval" | "cancelled";
+      output: unknown[];
+      requiresApproval: null | {
+        type: "approval_request";
+        prompt: string;
+        items: unknown[];
+        resumeToken?: string;
+      };
+    }
+  | {
+      ok: false;
+      error: { type?: string; message: string };
+    };
+
+export type LobsterRunnerParams = {
+  action: "run" | "resume";
+  pipeline?: string;
+  argsJson?: string;
+  token?: string;
+  approve?: boolean;
+  cwd: string;
+  timeoutMs: number;
+  maxStdoutBytes: number;
+};
+
+export type LobsterRunner = {
+  run: (params: LobsterRunnerParams) => Promise<LobsterEnvelope>;
+};
+
+type EmbeddedToolContext = {
+  cwd?: string;
+  env?: Record<string, string | undefined>;
+  mode?: "tool" | "human" | "sdk";
+  stdin?: NodeJS.ReadableStream;
+  stdout?: NodeJS.WritableStream;
+  stderr?: NodeJS.WritableStream;
+  signal?: AbortSignal;
+  registry?: unknown;
+  llmAdapters?: Record<string, unknown>;
+};
+
+type EmbeddedToolEnvelope = {
+  protocolVersion?: number;
+  ok: boolean;
+  status?: "ok" | "needs_approval" | "cancelled";
+  output?: unknown[];
+  requiresApproval?: {
+    type?: "approval_request";
+    prompt: string;
+    items: unknown[];
+    preview?: string;
+    resumeToken?: string;
+  } | null;
+  error?: {
+    type?: string;
+    message: string;
+  };
+};
+
+type EmbeddedToolRuntime = {
+  runToolRequest: (params: {
+    pipeline?: string;
+    filePath?: string;
+    args?: Record<string, unknown>;
+    ctx?: EmbeddedToolContext;
+  }) => Promise<EmbeddedToolEnvelope>;
+  resumeToolRequest: (params: {
+    token: string;
+    approved: boolean;
+    ctx?: EmbeddedToolContext;
+  }) => Promise<EmbeddedToolEnvelope>;
+};
+
+type ToolRuntimeDeps = {
+  createDefaultRegistry: () => unknown;
+  parsePipeline: (pipeline: string) => Array<{
+    name: string;
+    args: Record<string, unknown>;
+    raw: string;
+  }>;
+  decodeResumeToken: (token: string) => {
+    kind?: string;
+    stateKey?: string;
+    filePath?: string;
+  };
+  encodeToken: (payload: Record<string, unknown>) => string;
+  runPipeline: (params: {
+    pipeline: Array<{ name: string; args: Record<string, unknown>; raw: string }>;
+    registry: unknown;
+    input: AsyncIterable<unknown> | unknown[];
+    stdin: NodeJS.ReadableStream;
+    stdout: NodeJS.WritableStream;
+    stderr: NodeJS.WritableStream;
+    env: Record<string, string | undefined>;
+    mode: "tool";
+    cwd: string;
+    llmAdapters?: Record<string, unknown>;
+    signal?: AbortSignal;
+  }) => Promise<{
+    items: unknown[];
+    halted?: boolean;
+    haltedAt?: { index?: number };
+  }>;
+  runWorkflowFile: (params: {
+    filePath: string;
+    args?: Record<string, unknown>;
+    ctx: EmbeddedToolContext;
+    resume?: Record<string, unknown>;
+    approved?: boolean;
+  }) => Promise<{
+    status: "ok" | "needs_approval" | "cancelled";
+    output: unknown[];
+    requiresApproval?: EmbeddedToolEnvelope["requiresApproval"];
+  }>;
+  readStateJson: (params: {
+    env: Record<string, string | undefined>;
+    key: string;
+  }) => Promise<unknown>;
+  writeStateJson: (params: {
+    env: Record<string, string | undefined>;
+    key: string;
+    value: unknown;
+  }) => Promise<void>;
+  deleteStateJson: (params: {
+    env: Record<string, string | undefined>;
+    key: string;
+  }) => Promise<void>;
+};
+
+type PipelineResumeState = {
+  pipeline: Array<{ name: string; args: Record<string, unknown>; raw: string }>;
+  resumeAtIndex: number;
+  items: unknown[];
+  prompt?: string;
+  createdAt: string;
+};
+
+type LoadEmbeddedToolRuntime = () => Promise<EmbeddedToolRuntime>;
+
+type ApprovalRequestItem = {
+  type: "approval_request";
+  prompt: string;
+  items: unknown[];
+  resumeToken?: string;
+};
+
+function normalizeForCwdSandbox(p: string): string {
+  const normalized = path.normalize(p);
+  return process.platform === "win32" ? normalized.toLowerCase() : normalized;
+}
+
+export function resolveLobsterCwd(cwdRaw: unknown): string {
+  if (typeof cwdRaw !== "string" || !cwdRaw.trim()) {
+    return process.cwd();
+  }
+  const cwd = cwdRaw.trim();
+  if (path.isAbsolute(cwd)) {
+    throw new Error("cwd must be a relative path");
+  }
+  const base = process.cwd();
+  const resolved = path.resolve(base, cwd);
+
+  const rel = path.relative(normalizeForCwdSandbox(base), normalizeForCwdSandbox(resolved));
+  if (rel === "" || rel === ".") {
+    return resolved;
+  }
+  if (rel.startsWith("..") || path.isAbsolute(rel)) {
+    throw new Error("cwd must stay within the gateway working directory");
+  }
+  return resolved;
+}
+
+function createLimitedSink(maxBytes: number, label: "stdout" | "stderr") {
+  let bytes = 0;
+  return new Writable({
+    write(chunk, _encoding, callback) {
+      bytes += Buffer.byteLength(String(chunk), "utf8");
+      if (bytes > maxBytes) {
+        callback(new Error(`lobster ${label} exceeded maxStdoutBytes`));
+        return;
+      }
+      callback();
+    },
+  });
+}
+
+function normalizeEnvelope(envelope: EmbeddedToolEnvelope): LobsterEnvelope {
+  if (envelope.ok) {
+    return {
+      ok: true,
+      status: envelope.status ?? "ok",
+      output: Array.isArray(envelope.output) ? envelope.output : [],
+      requiresApproval: envelope.requiresApproval
+        ? {
+            type: "approval_request",
+            prompt: envelope.requiresApproval.prompt,
+            items: envelope.requiresApproval.items,
+            ...(envelope.requiresApproval.resumeToken
+              ? { resumeToken: envelope.requiresApproval.resumeToken }
+              : {}),
+          }
+        : null,
+    };
+  }
+  return {
+    ok: false,
+    error: {
+      type: envelope.error?.type,
+      message: envelope.error?.message ?? "lobster runtime failed",
+    },
+  };
+}
+
+function throwOnErrorEnvelope(envelope: LobsterEnvelope): Extract<LobsterEnvelope, { ok: true }> {
+  if (envelope.ok) {
+    return envelope;
+  }
+  throw new Error(envelope.error.message);
+}
+
+function asApprovalRequestItem(item: unknown): ApprovalRequestItem | null {
+  if (!item || typeof item !== "object") {
+    return null;
+  }
+  const candidate = item as Partial<ApprovalRequestItem>;
+  if (candidate.type !== "approval_request") {
+    return null;
+  }
+  if (typeof candidate.prompt !== "string" || !Array.isArray(candidate.items)) {
+    return null;
+  }
+  return candidate as ApprovalRequestItem;
+}
+
+async function resolveWorkflowFile(candidate: string, cwd: string) {
+  const { stat } = await import("node:fs/promises");
+  const resolved = path.isAbsolute(candidate) ? candidate : path.resolve(cwd, candidate);
+  const fileStat = await stat(resolved);
+  if (!fileStat.isFile()) {
+    throw new Error("Workflow path is not a file");
+  }
+  const ext = path.extname(resolved).toLowerCase();
+  if (![".lobster", ".yaml", ".yml", ".json"].includes(ext)) {
+    throw new Error("Workflow file must end in .lobster, .yaml, .yml, or .json");
+  }
+  return resolved;
+}
+
+async function detectWorkflowFile(candidate: string, cwd: string) {
+  const trimmed = candidate.trim();
+  if (!trimmed || trimmed.includes("|")) {
+    return null;
+  }
+  try {
+    return await resolveWorkflowFile(trimmed, cwd);
+  } catch {
+    return null;
+  }
+}
+
+function parseWorkflowArgs(argsJson: string) {
+  return JSON.parse(argsJson) as Record<string, unknown>;
+}
+
+function createEmbeddedToolContext(
+  params: LobsterRunnerParams,
+  signal?: AbortSignal,
+): EmbeddedToolContext {
+  const env = { ...process.env } as Record<string, string | undefined>;
+  return {
+    cwd: params.cwd,
+    env,
+    mode: "tool",
+    stdin: Readable.from([]),
+    stdout: createLimitedSink(Math.max(1024, params.maxStdoutBytes), "stdout"),
+    stderr: createLimitedSink(Math.max(1024, params.maxStdoutBytes), "stderr"),
+    signal,
+  };
+}
+
+async function withTimeout<T>(
+  timeoutMs: number,
+  fn: (signal?: AbortSignal) => Promise<T>,
+): Promise<T> {
+  const timeout = Math.max(200, timeoutMs);
+  const controller = new AbortController();
+  return await new Promise<T>((resolve, reject) => {
+    const onTimeout = () => {
+      const error = new Error("lobster runtime timed out");
+      controller.abort(error);
+      reject(error);
+    };
+
+    const timer = setTimeout(onTimeout, timeout);
+    void fn(controller.signal).then(
+      (value) => {
+        clearTimeout(timer);
+        resolve(value);
+      },
+      (error) => {
+        clearTimeout(timer);
+        reject(error);
+      },
+    );
+  });
+}
+
+function createFallbackEmbeddedToolRuntime(deps: ToolRuntimeDeps): EmbeddedToolRuntime {
+  const createToolContext = (ctx: EmbeddedToolContext = {}) => ({
+    cwd: ctx.cwd ?? process.cwd(),
+    env: { ...process.env, ...ctx.env },
+    mode: "tool" as const,
+    stdin: ctx.stdin ?? Readable.from([]),
+    stdout: ctx.stdout ?? createLimitedSink(512_000, "stdout"),
+    stderr: ctx.stderr ?? createLimitedSink(512_000, "stderr"),
+    signal: ctx.signal,
+    registry: ctx.registry ?? deps.createDefaultRegistry(),
+    llmAdapters: ctx.llmAdapters,
+  });
+
+  const okEnvelope = (
+    status: "ok" | "needs_approval" | "cancelled",
+    output: unknown[],
+    requiresApproval: EmbeddedToolEnvelope["requiresApproval"],
+  ): EmbeddedToolEnvelope => ({
+    protocolVersion: 1,
+    ok: true,
+    status,
+    output,
+    requiresApproval,
+  });
+
+  const errorEnvelope = (type: string, message: string): EmbeddedToolEnvelope => ({
+    protocolVersion: 1,
+    ok: false,
+    error: { type, message },
+  });
+
+  const streamFromItems = (items: unknown[]) =>
+    (async function* () {
+      for (const item of items) {
+        yield item;
+      }
+    })();
+
+  const savePipelineResumeState = async (
+    env: Record<string, string | undefined>,
+    state: PipelineResumeState,
+  ) => {
+    const stateKey = `pipeline_resume_${randomUUID()}`;
+    await deps.writeStateJson({ env, key: stateKey, value: state });
+    return stateKey;
+  };
+
+  const loadPipelineResumeState = async (
+    env: Record<string, string | undefined>,
+    stateKey: string,
+  ) => {
+    const stored = await deps.readStateJson({ env, key: stateKey });
+    if (!stored || typeof stored !== "object") {
+      throw new Error("Pipeline resume state not found");
+    }
+    const data = stored as Partial<PipelineResumeState>;
+    if (!Array.isArray(data.pipeline)) {
+      throw new Error("Invalid pipeline resume state");
+    }
+    if (typeof data.resumeAtIndex !== "number") {
+      throw new Error("Invalid pipeline resume state");
+    }
+    if (!Array.isArray(data.items)) {
+      throw new Error("Invalid pipeline resume state");
+    }
+    return data as PipelineResumeState;
+  };
+
+  return {
+    async runToolRequest({ pipeline, filePath, args, ctx = {} }) {
+      const runtime = createToolContext(ctx);
+      const hasPipeline = typeof pipeline === "string" && pipeline.trim().length > 0;
+      const hasFile = typeof filePath === "string" && filePath.trim().length > 0;
+
+      if (!hasPipeline && !hasFile) {
+        return errorEnvelope("parse_error", "run requires either pipeline or filePath");
+      }
+      if (hasPipeline && hasFile) {
+        return errorEnvelope("parse_error", "run accepts either pipeline or filePath, not both");
+      }
+
+      if (hasFile) {
+        try {
+          const output = await deps.runWorkflowFile({
+            filePath: filePath!,
+            args,
+            ctx: runtime,
+          });
+
+          if (output.status === "needs_approval") {
+            return okEnvelope("needs_approval", [], output.requiresApproval ?? null);
+          }
+          if (output.status === "cancelled") {
+            return okEnvelope("cancelled", [], null);
+          }
+          return okEnvelope("ok", output.output, null);
+        } catch (error) {
+          return errorEnvelope(
+            "runtime_error",
+            error instanceof Error ? error.message : String(error),
+          );
+        }
+      }
+
+      let parsed;
+      try {
+        parsed = deps.parsePipeline(String(pipeline));
+      } catch (error) {
+        return errorEnvelope("parse_error", error instanceof Error ? error.message : String(error));
+      }
+
+      try {
+        const output = await deps.runPipeline({
+          pipeline: parsed,
+          registry: runtime.registry,
+          input: [],
+          stdin: runtime.stdin!,
+          stdout: runtime.stdout!,
+          stderr: runtime.stderr!,
+          env: runtime.env,
+          mode: "tool",
+          cwd: runtime.cwd,
+          llmAdapters: runtime.llmAdapters,
+          signal: runtime.signal,
+        });
+
+        const approval =
+          output.halted && output.items.length === 1
+            ? asApprovalRequestItem(output.items[0])
+            : null;
+
+        if (approval) {
+          const stateKey = await savePipelineResumeState(runtime.env, {
+            pipeline: parsed,
+            resumeAtIndex: (output.haltedAt?.index ?? -1) + 1,
+            items: approval.items,
+            prompt: approval.prompt,
+            createdAt: new Date().toISOString(),
+          });
+
+          const resumeToken = deps.encodeToken({
+            protocolVersion: 1,
+            v: 1,
+            kind: "pipeline-resume",
+            stateKey,
+          });
+
+          return okEnvelope("needs_approval", [], {
+            type: "approval_request",
+            prompt: approval.prompt,
+            items: approval.items,
+            resumeToken,
+          });
+        }
+
+        return okEnvelope("ok", output.items, null);
+      } catch (error) {
+        return errorEnvelope(
+          "runtime_error",
+          error instanceof Error ? error.message : String(error),
+        );
+      }
+    },
+
+    async resumeToolRequest({ token, approved, ctx = {} }) {
+      const runtime = createToolContext(ctx);
+      let payload: { kind?: string; stateKey?: string; filePath?: string };
+
+      try {
+        payload = deps.decodeResumeToken(token);
+      } catch (error) {
+        return errorEnvelope("parse_error", error instanceof Error ? error.message : String(error));
+      }
+
+      if (!approved) {
+        if (payload.kind === "workflow-file" && payload.stateKey) {
+          await deps.deleteStateJson({ env: runtime.env, key: payload.stateKey });
+        }
+        if (payload.kind === "pipeline-resume" && payload.stateKey) {
+          await deps.deleteStateJson({ env: runtime.env, key: payload.stateKey });
+        }
+        return okEnvelope("cancelled", [], null);
+      }
+
+      if (payload.kind === "workflow-file" && payload.filePath) {
+        try {
+          const output = await deps.runWorkflowFile({
+            filePath: payload.filePath,
+            ctx: runtime,
+            resume: payload as Record<string, unknown>,
+            approved: true,
+          });
+
+          if (output.status === "needs_approval") {
+            return okEnvelope("needs_approval", [], output.requiresApproval ?? null);
+          }
+          if (output.status === "cancelled") {
+            return okEnvelope("cancelled", [], null);
+          }
+          return okEnvelope("ok", output.output, null);
+        } catch (error) {
+          return errorEnvelope(
+            "runtime_error",
+            error instanceof Error ? error.message : String(error),
+          );
+        }
+      }
+
+      try {
+        const resumeState = await loadPipelineResumeState(runtime.env, payload.stateKey ?? "");
+        const remaining = resumeState.pipeline.slice(resumeState.resumeAtIndex);
+
+        const output = await deps.runPipeline({
+          pipeline: remaining,
+          registry: runtime.registry,
+          input: streamFromItems(resumeState.items),
+          stdin: runtime.stdin!,
+          stdout: runtime.stdout!,
+          stderr: runtime.stderr!,
+          env: runtime.env,
+          mode: "tool",
+          cwd: runtime.cwd,
+          llmAdapters: runtime.llmAdapters,
+          signal: runtime.signal,
+        });
+
+        const approval =
+          output.halted && output.items.length === 1
+            ? asApprovalRequestItem(output.items[0])
+            : null;
+
+        if (approval) {
+          const nextStateKey = await savePipelineResumeState(runtime.env, {
+            pipeline: remaining,
+            resumeAtIndex: (output.haltedAt?.index ?? -1) + 1,
+            items: approval.items,
+            prompt: approval.prompt,
+            createdAt: new Date().toISOString(),
+          });
+          if (payload.stateKey) {
+            await deps.deleteStateJson({ env: runtime.env, key: payload.stateKey });
+          }
+
+          const resumeToken = deps.encodeToken({
+            protocolVersion: 1,
+            v: 1,
+            kind: "pipeline-resume",
+            stateKey: nextStateKey,
+          });
+
+          return okEnvelope("needs_approval", [], {
+            type: "approval_request",
+            prompt: approval.prompt,
+            items: approval.items,
+            resumeToken,
+          });
+        }
+
+        if (payload.stateKey) {
+          await deps.deleteStateJson({ env: runtime.env, key: payload.stateKey });
+        }
+        return okEnvelope("ok", output.items, null);
+      } catch (error) {
+        return errorEnvelope(
+          "runtime_error",
+          error instanceof Error ? error.message : String(error),
+        );
+      }
+    },
+  };
+}
+
+async function importInstalledLobsterModule<T>(
+  lobsterRoot: string,
+  relativePath: string,
+): Promise<T> {
+  const target = path.join(lobsterRoot, relativePath);
+  return (await import(pathToFileURL(target).href)) as T;
+}
+
+function resolveInstalledLobsterRoot() {
+  const require = createRequire(import.meta.url);
+  const sdkEntry = require.resolve("@clawdbot/lobster");
+  return path.resolve(path.dirname(sdkEntry), "../../..");
+}
+
+async function loadEmbeddedToolRuntimeFromPackage(): Promise<EmbeddedToolRuntime> {
+  const lobsterRoot = resolveInstalledLobsterRoot();
+  const coreIndexPath = path.join(lobsterRoot, "dist/src/core/index.js");
+
+  try {
+    const core = await import(pathToFileURL(coreIndexPath).href);
+    if (typeof core.runToolRequest === "function" && typeof core.resumeToolRequest === "function") {
+      return {
+        runToolRequest: core.runToolRequest as EmbeddedToolRuntime["runToolRequest"],
+        resumeToolRequest: core.resumeToolRequest as EmbeddedToolRuntime["resumeToolRequest"],
+      };
+    }
+  } catch {
+    // The current published npm package does not export/ship ./core yet.
+  }
+
+  const [
+    registryModule,
+    parserModule,
+    resumeModule,
+    tokenModule,
+    runtimeModule,
+    workflowModule,
+    storeModule,
+  ] = await Promise.all([
+    importInstalledLobsterModule<{
+      createDefaultRegistry: ToolRuntimeDeps["createDefaultRegistry"];
+    }>(lobsterRoot, "dist/src/commands/registry.js"),
+    importInstalledLobsterModule<{ parsePipeline: ToolRuntimeDeps["parsePipeline"] }>(
+      lobsterRoot,
+      "dist/src/parser.js",
+    ),
+    importInstalledLobsterModule<{ decodeResumeToken: ToolRuntimeDeps["decodeResumeToken"] }>(
+      lobsterRoot,
+      "dist/src/resume.js",
+    ),
+    importInstalledLobsterModule<{ encodeToken: ToolRuntimeDeps["encodeToken"] }>(
+      lobsterRoot,
+      "dist/src/token.js",
+    ),
+    importInstalledLobsterModule<{ runPipeline: ToolRuntimeDeps["runPipeline"] }>(
+      lobsterRoot,
+      "dist/src/runtime.js",
+    ),
+    importInstalledLobsterModule<{ runWorkflowFile: ToolRuntimeDeps["runWorkflowFile"] }>(
+      lobsterRoot,
+      "dist/src/workflows/file.js",
+    ),
+    importInstalledLobsterModule<{
+      readStateJson: ToolRuntimeDeps["readStateJson"];
+      writeStateJson: ToolRuntimeDeps["writeStateJson"];
+      deleteStateJson: ToolRuntimeDeps["deleteStateJson"];
+    }>(lobsterRoot, "dist/src/state/store.js"),
+  ]);
+
+  return createFallbackEmbeddedToolRuntime({
+    createDefaultRegistry: registryModule.createDefaultRegistry,
+    parsePipeline: parserModule.parsePipeline,
+    decodeResumeToken: resumeModule.decodeResumeToken,
+    encodeToken: tokenModule.encodeToken,
+    runPipeline: runtimeModule.runPipeline,
+    runWorkflowFile: workflowModule.runWorkflowFile,
+    readStateJson: storeModule.readStateJson,
+    writeStateJson: storeModule.writeStateJson,
+    deleteStateJson: storeModule.deleteStateJson,
+  });
+}
+
+export function createEmbeddedLobsterRunner(options?: {
+  loadRuntime?: LoadEmbeddedToolRuntime;
+}): LobsterRunner {
+  const loadRuntime = options?.loadRuntime ?? loadEmbeddedToolRuntimeFromPackage;
+  return {
+    async run(params) {
+      const runtime = await loadRuntime();
+      return await withTimeout(params.timeoutMs, async (signal) => {
+        const ctx = createEmbeddedToolContext(params, signal);
+
+        if (params.action === "run") {
+          const pipeline = params.pipeline?.trim() ?? "";
+          if (!pipeline) {
+            throw new Error("pipeline required");
+          }
+
+          const filePath = await detectWorkflowFile(pipeline, params.cwd);
+          if (filePath) {
+            const parsedArgsJson = params.argsJson?.trim() ?? "";
+            let args: Record<string, unknown> | undefined;
+            if (parsedArgsJson) {
+              try {
+                args = parseWorkflowArgs(parsedArgsJson);
+              } catch {
+                throw new Error("run --args-json must be valid JSON");
+              }
+            }
+            return throwOnErrorEnvelope(
+              normalizeEnvelope(await runtime.runToolRequest({ filePath, args, ctx })),
+            );
+          }
+
+          return throwOnErrorEnvelope(
+            normalizeEnvelope(await runtime.runToolRequest({ pipeline, ctx })),
+          );
+        }
+
+        const token = params.token?.trim() ?? "";
+        if (!token) {
+          throw new Error("token required");
+        }
+        if (typeof params.approve !== "boolean") {
+          throw new Error("approve required");
+        }
+
+        return throwOnErrorEnvelope(
+          normalizeEnvelope(
+            await runtime.resumeToolRequest({
+              token,
+              approved: params.approve,
+              ctx,
+            }),
+          ),
+        );
+      });
+    },
+  };
+}
diff --git a/extensions/lobster/src/lobster-tool.test.ts b/extensions/lobster/src/lobster-tool.test.ts
index 31b58a6bb02..7e56b57ec7f 100644
--- a/extensions/lobster/src/lobster-tool.test.ts
+++ b/extensions/lobster/src/lobster-tool.test.ts
@@ -1,31 +1,6 @@
-import { EventEmitter } from "node:events";
-import fs from "node:fs/promises";
-import os from "node:os";
-import path from "node:path";
-import { PassThrough } from "node:stream";
-import { afterAll, afterEach, beforeAll, beforeEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
+import { describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
 import { createTestPluginApi } from "../../../test/helpers/plugins/plugin-api.js";
 import type { OpenClawPluginApi, OpenClawPluginToolContext } from "../runtime-api.js";
-import {
-  createWindowsCmdShimFixture,
-  restorePlatformPathEnv,
-  setProcessPlatform,
-  snapshotPlatformPathEnv,
-} from "./test-helpers.js";
-import { resolveWindowsLobsterSpawn } from "./windows-spawn.js";
-
-const spawnState = vi.hoisted(() => ({
-  queue: [] as Array<{ stdout: string; stderr?: string; exitCode?: number }>,
-  spawn: vi.fn(),
-}));
-
-vi.mock("node:child_process", async () => {
-  const actual = await vi.importActual<typeof import("node:child_process")>("node:child_process");
-  return {
-    ...actual,
-    spawn: (...args: unknown[]) => spawnState.spawn(...args),
-  };
-});
 
 let createLobsterTool: typeof import("./lobster-tool.js").createLobsterTool;
 
@@ -55,154 +30,124 @@ function fakeCtx(overrides: Partial<OpenClawPluginToolContext> = {}): OpenClawPl
   };
 }
 
-async function expectUnwrappedShim(params: {
-  scriptPath: string;
-  shimPath: string;
-  shimLine: string;
-}) {
-  await createWindowsCmdShimFixture(params);
-
-  const target = resolveWindowsLobsterSpawn(params.shimPath, ["run", "noop"], process.env);
-  expect(target.command).toBe(process.execPath);
-  expect(target.argv).toEqual([params.scriptPath, "run", "noop"]);
-  expect(target.windowsHide).toBe(true);
-}
-
 describe("lobster plugin tool", () => {
-  let tempDir = "";
-  const originalProcessState = snapshotPlatformPathEnv();
-
-  beforeAll(async () => {
+  it("returns the Lobster envelope in details", async () => {
     ({ createLobsterTool } = await import("./lobster-tool.js"));
 
-    tempDir = await fs.mkdtemp(path.join(os.tmpdir(), "openclaw-lobster-plugin-"));
-  });
-
-  afterEach(() => {
-    restorePlatformPathEnv(originalProcessState);
-  });
-
-  afterAll(async () => {
-    if (!tempDir) {
-      return;
-    }
-    if (process.platform === "win32") {
-      await fs.rm(tempDir, { recursive: true, force: true, maxRetries: 10, retryDelay: 50 });
-    } else {
-      await fs.rm(tempDir, { recursive: true, force: true });
-    }
-  });
-
-  beforeEach(() => {
-    spawnState.queue.length = 0;
-    spawnState.spawn.mockReset();
-    spawnState.spawn.mockImplementation(() => {
-      const next = spawnState.queue.shift() ?? { stdout: "" };
-      const stdout = new PassThrough();
-      const stderr = new PassThrough();
-      const child = new EventEmitter() as EventEmitter & {
-        stdout: PassThrough;
-        stderr: PassThrough;
-        kill: (signal?: string) => boolean;
-      };
-      child.stdout = stdout;
-      child.stderr = stderr;
-      child.kill = () => true;
-
-      setImmediate(() => {
-        if (next.stderr) {
-          stderr.end(next.stderr);
-        } else {
-          stderr.end();
-        }
-        stdout.end(next.stdout);
-        child.emit("exit", next.exitCode ?? 0);
-      });
-
-      return child;
-    });
-  });
-
-  const queueSuccessfulEnvelope = (hello = "world") => {
-    spawnState.queue.push({
-      stdout: JSON.stringify({
-        ok: true,
-        status: "ok",
-        output: [{ hello }],
-        requiresApproval: null,
-      }),
-    });
-  };
-
-  it("runs lobster and returns parsed envelope in details", async () => {
-    spawnState.queue.push({
-      stdout: JSON.stringify({
+    const runner = {
+      run: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue({
         ok: true,
         status: "ok",
         output: [{ hello: "world" }],
         requiresApproval: null,
       }),
-    });
+    };
 
-    const tool = createLobsterTool(fakeApi());
+    const tool = createLobsterTool(fakeApi(), { runner });
     const res = await tool.execute("call1", {
       action: "run",
       pipeline: "noop",
       timeoutMs: 1000,
     });
 
-    expect(spawnState.spawn).toHaveBeenCalled();
-    expect(res.details).toMatchObject({ ok: true, status: "ok" });
-  });
-
-  it("tolerates noisy stdout before the JSON envelope", async () => {
-    const payload = { ok: true, status: "ok", output: [], requiresApproval: null };
-    spawnState.queue.push({
-      stdout: `noise before json\n${JSON.stringify(payload)}`,
-    });
-
-    const tool = createLobsterTool(fakeApi());
-    const res = await tool.execute("call-noisy", {
+    expect(runner.run).toHaveBeenCalledWith({
       action: "run",
       pipeline: "noop",
+      cwd: process.cwd(),
       timeoutMs: 1000,
+      maxStdoutBytes: 512_000,
+    });
+    expect(res.details).toMatchObject({
+      ok: true,
+      status: "ok",
+      output: [{ hello: "world" }],
+      requiresApproval: null,
+    });
+  });
+
+  it("supports approval envelopes without changing the tool contract", async () => {
+    ({ createLobsterTool } = await import("./lobster-tool.js"));
+
+    const runner = {
+      run: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue({
+        ok: true,
+        status: "needs_approval",
+        output: [],
+        requiresApproval: {
+          type: "approval_request",
+          prompt: "Send these alerts?",
+          items: [{ id: "alert-1" }],
+          resumeToken: "resume-token-1",
+        },
+      }),
+    };
+
+    const tool = createLobsterTool(fakeApi(), { runner });
+    const res = await tool.execute("call-injected-runner", {
+      action: "run",
+      pipeline: "noop",
+      argsJson: '{"since_hours":1}',
+      timeoutMs: 1500,
+      maxStdoutBytes: 4096,
     });
 
-    expect(res.details).toMatchObject({ ok: true, status: "ok" });
+    expect(runner.run).toHaveBeenCalledWith({
+      action: "run",
+      pipeline: "noop",
+      argsJson: '{"since_hours":1}',
+      cwd: process.cwd(),
+      timeoutMs: 1500,
+      maxStdoutBytes: 4096,
+    });
+    expect(res.details).toMatchObject({
+      ok: true,
+      status: "needs_approval",
+      requiresApproval: {
+        type: "approval_request",
+        prompt: "Send these alerts?",
+        resumeToken: "resume-token-1",
+      },
+    });
+  });
+
+  it("throws when the runner returns an error envelope", async () => {
+    ({ createLobsterTool } = await import("./lobster-tool.js"));
+
+    const tool = createLobsterTool(fakeApi(), {
+      runner: {
+        run: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue({
+          ok: false,
+          error: {
+            type: "runtime_error",
+            message: "boom",
+          },
+        }),
+      },
+    });
+
+    await expect(
+      tool.execute("call-runner-error", {
+        action: "run",
+        pipeline: "noop",
+      }),
+    ).rejects.toThrow("boom");
   });
 
   it("requires action", async () => {
-    const tool = createLobsterTool(fakeApi());
+    ({ createLobsterTool } = await import("./lobster-tool.js"));
+
+    const tool = createLobsterTool(fakeApi(), {
+      runner: { run: vi.fn() },
+    });
     await expect(tool.execute("call-action-missing", {})).rejects.toThrow(/action required/);
   });
 
-  it("requires pipeline for run action", async () => {
-    const tool = createLobsterTool(fakeApi());
-    await expect(
-      tool.execute("call-pipeline-missing", {
-        action: "run",
-      }),
-    ).rejects.toThrow(/pipeline required/);
-  });
-
-  it("requires token and approve for resume action", async () => {
-    const tool = createLobsterTool(fakeApi());
-    await expect(
-      tool.execute("call-resume-token-missing", {
-        action: "resume",
-        approve: true,
-      }),
-    ).rejects.toThrow(/token required/);
-    await expect(
-      tool.execute("call-resume-approve-missing", {
-        action: "resume",
-        token: "resume-token",
-      }),
-    ).rejects.toThrow(/approve required/);
-  });
-
   it("rejects unknown action", async () => {
-    const tool = createLobsterTool(fakeApi());
+    ({ createLobsterTool } = await import("./lobster-tool.js"));
+
+    const tool = createLobsterTool(fakeApi(), {
+      runner: { run: vi.fn() },
+    });
     await expect(
       tool.execute("call-action-unknown", {
         action: "explode",
@@ -211,9 +156,13 @@ describe("lobster plugin tool", () => {
   });
 
   it("rejects absolute cwd", async () => {
-    const tool = createLobsterTool(fakeApi());
+    ({ createLobsterTool } = await import("./lobster-tool.js"));
+
+    const tool = createLobsterTool(fakeApi(), {
+      runner: { run: vi.fn() },
+    });
     await expect(
-      tool.execute("call2c", {
+      tool.execute("call-absolute-cwd", {
         action: "run",
         pipeline: "noop",
         cwd: "/tmp",
@@ -222,9 +171,13 @@ describe("lobster plugin tool", () => {
   });
 
   it("rejects cwd that escapes the gateway working directory", async () => {
-    const tool = createLobsterTool(fakeApi());
+    ({ createLobsterTool } = await import("./lobster-tool.js"));
+
+    const tool = createLobsterTool(fakeApi(), {
+      runner: { run: vi.fn() },
+    });
     await expect(
-      tool.execute("call2d", {
+      tool.execute("call-escape-cwd", {
         action: "run",
         pipeline: "noop",
         cwd: "../../etc",
@@ -232,175 +185,20 @@ describe("lobster plugin tool", () => {
     ).rejects.toThrow(/must stay within/);
   });
 
-  it("rejects invalid JSON from lobster", async () => {
-    spawnState.queue.push({ stdout: "nope" });
-
-    const tool = createLobsterTool(fakeApi());
-    await expect(
-      tool.execute("call3", {
-        action: "run",
-        pipeline: "noop",
-      }),
-    ).rejects.toThrow(/invalid JSON/);
-  });
-
-  it("runs Windows cmd shims through Node without enabling shell", async () => {
-    setProcessPlatform("win32");
-    const shimScriptPath = path.join(tempDir, "shim-dist", "lobster-cli.cjs");
-    const shimPath = path.join(tempDir, "shim-bin", "lobster.cmd");
-    await createWindowsCmdShimFixture({
-      shimPath,
-      scriptPath: shimScriptPath,
-      shimLine: `"%dp0%\\..\\shim-dist\\lobster-cli.cjs" %*`,
-    });
-    process.env.PATHEXT = ".CMD;.EXE";
-    process.env.PATH = `${path.dirname(shimPath)};${process.env.PATH ?? ""}`;
-    queueSuccessfulEnvelope();
-
-    const tool = createLobsterTool(fakeApi());
-    await tool.execute("call-win-shim", {
-      action: "run",
-      pipeline: "noop",
-    });
-
-    const [command, argv, options] = spawnState.spawn.mock.calls[0] ?? [];
-    expect(command).toBe(process.execPath);
-    expect(argv).toEqual([shimScriptPath, "run", "--mode", "tool", "noop"]);
-    expect(options).toMatchObject({ windowsHide: true });
-    expect(options).not.toHaveProperty("shell");
-  });
-
-  it("does not retry a failed Windows spawn with shell fallback", async () => {
-    setProcessPlatform("win32");
-    spawnState.spawn.mockReset();
-    spawnState.spawn.mockImplementationOnce(() => {
-      const child = new EventEmitter() as EventEmitter & {
-        stdout: PassThrough;
-        stderr: PassThrough;
-        kill: (signal?: string) => boolean;
-      };
-      child.stdout = new PassThrough();
-      child.stderr = new PassThrough();
-      child.kill = () => true;
-      const err = Object.assign(new Error("spawn failed"), { code: "ENOENT" });
-      setImmediate(() => child.emit("error", err));
-      return child;
-    });
-
-    const tool = createLobsterTool(fakeApi());
-    await expect(
-      tool.execute("call-win-no-retry", {
-        action: "run",
-        pipeline: "noop",
-      }),
-    ).rejects.toThrow(/spawn failed/);
-    expect(spawnState.spawn).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
-  });
-
   it("can be gated off in sandboxed contexts", async () => {
+    ({ createLobsterTool } = await import("./lobster-tool.js"));
+
     const api = fakeApi();
     const factoryTool = (ctx: OpenClawPluginToolContext) => {
       if (ctx.sandboxed) {
         return null;
       }
-      return createLobsterTool(api);
+      return createLobsterTool(api, {
+        runner: { run: vi.fn() },
+      });
     };
 
     expect(factoryTool(fakeCtx({ sandboxed: true }))).toBeNull();
     expect(factoryTool(fakeCtx({ sandboxed: false }))?.name).toBe("lobster");
   });
 });
-
-describe("resolveWindowsLobsterSpawn", () => {
-  let tempDir = "";
-  const originalProcessState = snapshotPlatformPathEnv();
-
-  beforeEach(async () => {
-    tempDir = await fs.mkdtemp(path.join(os.tmpdir(), "openclaw-lobster-win-spawn-"));
-    setProcessPlatform("win32");
-  });
-
-  afterEach(async () => {
-    restorePlatformPathEnv(originalProcessState);
-    if (tempDir) {
-      await fs.rm(tempDir, { recursive: true, force: true });
-      tempDir = "";
-    }
-  });
-
-  it("unwraps cmd shim with %dp0% token", async () => {
-    const scriptPath = path.join(tempDir, "shim-dist", "lobster-cli.cjs");
-    const shimPath = path.join(tempDir, "shim", "lobster.cmd");
-    await expectUnwrappedShim({
-      shimPath,
-      scriptPath,
-      shimLine: `"%dp0%\\..\\shim-dist\\lobster-cli.cjs" %*`,
-    });
-  });
-
-  it("unwraps cmd shim with %~dp0% token", async () => {
-    const scriptPath = path.join(tempDir, "shim-dist", "lobster-cli.cjs");
-    const shimPath = path.join(tempDir, "shim", "lobster.cmd");
-    await expectUnwrappedShim({
-      shimPath,
-      scriptPath,
-      shimLine: `"%~dp0%\\..\\shim-dist\\lobster-cli.cjs" %*`,
-    });
-  });
-
-  it("ignores node.exe shim entries and picks lobster script", async () => {
-    const shimDir = path.join(tempDir, "shim-with-node");
-    const scriptPath = path.join(tempDir, "shim-dist-node", "lobster-cli.cjs");
-    const shimPath = path.join(shimDir, "lobster.cmd");
-    await fs.mkdir(path.dirname(scriptPath), { recursive: true });
-    await fs.mkdir(shimDir, { recursive: true });
-    await fs.writeFile(path.join(shimDir, "node.exe"), "", "utf8");
-    await fs.writeFile(scriptPath, "module.exports = {};\n", "utf8");
-    await fs.writeFile(
-      shimPath,
-      `@echo off\r\n"%~dp0%\\node.exe" "%~dp0%\\..\\shim-dist-node\\lobster-cli.cjs" %*\r\n`,
-      "utf8",
-    );
-
-    const target = resolveWindowsLobsterSpawn(shimPath, ["run", "noop"], process.env);
-    expect(target.command).toBe(process.execPath);
-    expect(target.argv).toEqual([scriptPath, "run", "noop"]);
-    expect(target.windowsHide).toBe(true);
-  });
-
-  it("resolves lobster.cmd from PATH and unwraps npm layout shim", async () => {
-    const binDir = path.join(tempDir, "node_modules", ".bin");
-    const packageDir = path.join(tempDir, "node_modules", "lobster");
-    const scriptPath = path.join(packageDir, "dist", "cli.js");
-    const shimPath = path.join(binDir, "lobster.cmd");
-    await fs.mkdir(path.dirname(scriptPath), { recursive: true });
-    await fs.mkdir(binDir, { recursive: true });
-    await fs.writeFile(shimPath, "@echo off\r\n", "utf8");
-    await fs.writeFile(
-      path.join(packageDir, "package.json"),
-      JSON.stringify({ name: "lobster", version: "0.0.0", bin: { lobster: "dist/cli.js" } }),
-      "utf8",
-    );
-    await fs.writeFile(scriptPath, "module.exports = {};\n", "utf8");
-
-    const env = {
-      ...process.env,
-      PATH: `${binDir};${process.env.PATH ?? ""}`,
-      PATHEXT: ".CMD;.EXE",
-    };
-    const target = resolveWindowsLobsterSpawn("lobster", ["run", "noop"], env);
-    expect(target.command).toBe(process.execPath);
-    expect(target.argv).toEqual([scriptPath, "run", "noop"]);
-    expect(target.windowsHide).toBe(true);
-  });
-
-  it("fails fast when wrapper cannot be resolved without shell execution", async () => {
-    const badShimPath = path.join(tempDir, "bad-shim", "lobster.cmd");
-    await fs.mkdir(path.dirname(badShimPath), { recursive: true });
-    await fs.writeFile(badShimPath, "@echo off\r\nREM no entrypoint\r\n", "utf8");
-
-    expect(() => resolveWindowsLobsterSpawn(badShimPath, ["run", "noop"], process.env)).toThrow(
-      /without shell execution/,
-    );
-  });
-});
diff --git a/extensions/lobster/src/lobster-tool.ts b/extensions/lobster/src/lobster-tool.ts
index fa3994bb45d..aff2d66aeb1 100644
--- a/extensions/lobster/src/lobster-tool.ts
+++ b/extensions/lobster/src/lobster-tool.ts
@@ -1,213 +1,14 @@
-import { spawn } from "node:child_process";
-import path from "node:path";
 import { Type } from "@sinclair/typebox";
 import type { OpenClawPluginApi } from "../runtime-api.js";
-import { resolveWindowsLobsterSpawn } from "./windows-spawn.js";
+import {
+  createEmbeddedLobsterRunner,
+  resolveLobsterCwd,
+  type LobsterRunner,
+  type LobsterRunnerParams,
+} from "./lobster-runner.js";
 
-type LobsterEnvelope =
-  | {
-      ok: true;
-      status: "ok" | "needs_approval" | "cancelled";
-      output: unknown[];
-      requiresApproval: null | {
-        type: "approval_request";
-        prompt: string;
-        items: unknown[];
-        resumeToken?: string;
-      };
-    }
-  | {
-      ok: false;
-      error: { type?: string; message: string };
-    };
-
-function normalizeForCwdSandbox(p: string): string {
-  const normalized = path.normalize(p);
-  return process.platform === "win32" ? normalized.toLowerCase() : normalized;
-}
-
-function resolveCwd(cwdRaw: unknown): string {
-  if (typeof cwdRaw !== "string" || !cwdRaw.trim()) {
-    return process.cwd();
-  }
-  const cwd = cwdRaw.trim();
-  if (path.isAbsolute(cwd)) {
-    throw new Error("cwd must be a relative path");
-  }
-  const base = process.cwd();
-  const resolved = path.resolve(base, cwd);
-
-  const rel = path.relative(normalizeForCwdSandbox(base), normalizeForCwdSandbox(resolved));
-  if (rel === "" || rel === ".") {
-    return resolved;
-  }
-  if (rel.startsWith("..") || path.isAbsolute(rel)) {
-    throw new Error("cwd must stay within the gateway working directory");
-  }
-  return resolved;
-}
-
-async function runLobsterSubprocessOnce(params: {
-  execPath: string;
-  argv: string[];
-  cwd: string;
-  timeoutMs: number;
-  maxStdoutBytes: number;
-}) {
-  const { execPath, argv, cwd } = params;
-  const timeoutMs = Math.max(200, params.timeoutMs);
-  const maxStdoutBytes = Math.max(1024, params.maxStdoutBytes);
-
-  const env = { ...process.env, LOBSTER_MODE: "tool" } as Record<string, string | undefined>;
-  const nodeOptions = env.NODE_OPTIONS ?? "";
-  if (nodeOptions.includes("--inspect")) {
-    delete env.NODE_OPTIONS;
-  }
-  const spawnTarget =
-    process.platform === "win32"
-      ? resolveWindowsLobsterSpawn(execPath, argv, env)
-      : { command: execPath, argv };
-
-  return await new Promise<{ stdout: string }>((resolve, reject) => {
-    const child = spawn(spawnTarget.command, spawnTarget.argv, {
-      cwd,
-      stdio: ["ignore", "pipe", "pipe"],
-      env,
-      windowsHide: spawnTarget.windowsHide,
-    });
-
-    let stdout = "";
-    let stdoutBytes = 0;
-    let stderr = "";
-    let settled = false;
-
-    const settle = (
-      result: { ok: true; value: { stdout: string } } | { ok: false; error: Error },
-    ) => {
-      if (settled) {
-        return;
-      }
-      settled = true;
-      clearTimeout(timer);
-      if (result.ok) {
-        resolve(result.value);
-      } else {
-        reject(result.error);
-      }
-    };
-
-    const failAndTerminate = (message: string) => {
-      try {
-        child.kill("SIGKILL");
-      } finally {
-        settle({ ok: false, error: new Error(message) });
-      }
-    };
-
-    child.stdout?.setEncoding("utf8");
-    child.stderr?.setEncoding("utf8");
-
-    child.stdout?.on("data", (chunk) => {
-      const str = String(chunk);
-      stdoutBytes += Buffer.byteLength(str, "utf8");
-      if (stdoutBytes > maxStdoutBytes) {
-        failAndTerminate("lobster output exceeded maxStdoutBytes");
-        return;
-      }
-      stdout += str;
-    });
-
-    child.stderr?.on("data", (chunk) => {
-      stderr += String(chunk);
-    });
-
-    const timer = setTimeout(() => {
-      failAndTerminate("lobster subprocess timed out");
-    }, timeoutMs);
-
-    child.once("error", (err) => {
-      settle({ ok: false, error: err });
-    });
-
-    child.once("exit", (code) => {
-      if (code !== 0) {
-        settle({
-          ok: false,
-          error: new Error(`lobster failed (${code ?? "?"}): ${stderr.trim() || stdout.trim()}`),
-        });
-        return;
-      }
-      settle({ ok: true, value: { stdout } });
-    });
-  });
-}
-
-function parseEnvelope(stdout: string): LobsterEnvelope {
-  const trimmed = stdout.trim();
-
-  const tryParse = (input: string) => {
-    try {
-      return JSON.parse(input) as unknown;
-    } catch {
-      return undefined;
-    }
-  };
-
-  let parsed: unknown = tryParse(trimmed);
-
-  // Some environments can leak extra stdout (e.g. warnings/logs) before the
-  // final JSON envelope. Be tolerant and parse the last JSON-looking suffix.
-  if (parsed === undefined) {
-    const suffixMatch = trimmed.match(/({[\s\S]*}|\[[\s\S]*])\s*$/);
-    if (suffixMatch?.[1]) {
-      parsed = tryParse(suffixMatch[1]);
-    }
-  }
-
-  if (parsed === undefined) {
-    throw new Error("lobster returned invalid JSON");
-  }
-
-  if (!parsed || typeof parsed !== "object") {
-    throw new Error("lobster returned invalid JSON envelope");
-  }
-
-  const ok = (parsed as { ok?: unknown }).ok;
-  if (ok === true || ok === false) {
-    return parsed as LobsterEnvelope;
-  }
-
-  throw new Error("lobster returned invalid JSON envelope");
-}
-
-function buildLobsterArgv(action: string, params: Record<string, unknown>): string[] {
-  if (action === "run") {
-    const pipeline = typeof params.pipeline === "string" ? params.pipeline : "";
-    if (!pipeline.trim()) {
-      throw new Error("pipeline required");
-    }
-    const argv = ["run", "--mode", "tool", pipeline];
-    const argsJson = typeof params.argsJson === "string" ? params.argsJson : "";
-    if (argsJson.trim()) {
-      argv.push("--args-json", argsJson);
-    }
-    return argv;
-  }
-  if (action === "resume") {
-    const token = typeof params.token === "string" ? params.token : "";
-    if (!token.trim()) {
-      throw new Error("token required");
-    }
-    const approve = params.approve;
-    if (typeof approve !== "boolean") {
-      throw new Error("approve required");
-    }
-    return ["resume", "--token", token, "--approve", approve ? "yes" : "no"];
-  }
-  throw new Error(`Unknown action: ${action}`);
-}
-
-export function createLobsterTool(api: OpenClawPluginApi) {
+export function createLobsterTool(api: OpenClawPluginApi, options?: { runner?: LobsterRunner }) {
+  const runner = options?.runner ?? createEmbeddedLobsterRunner();
   return {
     name: "lobster",
     label: "Lobster Workflow",
@@ -234,28 +35,33 @@ export function createLobsterTool(api: OpenClawPluginApi) {
       if (!action) {
         throw new Error("action required");
       }
+      if (action !== "run" && action !== "resume") {
+        throw new Error(`Unknown action: ${action}`);
+      }
 
-      const execPath = "lobster";
-      const cwd = resolveCwd(params.cwd);
+      const cwd = resolveLobsterCwd(params.cwd);
       const timeoutMs = typeof params.timeoutMs === "number" ? params.timeoutMs : 20_000;
       const maxStdoutBytes =
         typeof params.maxStdoutBytes === "number" ? params.maxStdoutBytes : 512_000;
 
-      const argv = buildLobsterArgv(action, params);
-
       if (api.runtime?.version && api.logger?.debug) {
         api.logger.debug(`lobster plugin runtime=${api.runtime.version}`);
       }
 
-      const { stdout } = await runLobsterSubprocessOnce({
-        execPath,
-        argv,
+      const runnerParams: LobsterRunnerParams = {
+        action,
+        ...(typeof params.pipeline === "string" ? { pipeline: params.pipeline } : {}),
+        ...(typeof params.argsJson === "string" ? { argsJson: params.argsJson } : {}),
+        ...(typeof params.token === "string" ? { token: params.token } : {}),
+        ...(typeof params.approve === "boolean" ? { approve: params.approve } : {}),
         cwd,
         timeoutMs,
         maxStdoutBytes,
-      });
-
-      const envelope = parseEnvelope(stdout);
+      };
+      const envelope = await runner.run(runnerParams);
+      if (!envelope.ok) {
+        throw new Error(envelope.error.message);
+      }
 
       return {
         content: [{ type: "text", text: JSON.stringify(envelope, null, 2) }],
diff --git a/extensions/lobster/src/windows-spawn.ts b/extensions/lobster/src/windows-spawn.ts
deleted file mode 100644
index 22541f866a8..00000000000
--- a/extensions/lobster/src/windows-spawn.ts
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,36 +0,0 @@
-import {
-  applyWindowsSpawnProgramPolicy,
-  materializeWindowsSpawnProgram,
-  resolveWindowsSpawnProgramCandidate,
-} from "../runtime-api.js";
-
-type SpawnTarget = {
-  command: string;
-  argv: string[];
-  windowsHide?: boolean;
-};
-
-export function resolveWindowsLobsterSpawn(
-  execPath: string,
-  argv: string[],
-  env: NodeJS.ProcessEnv,
-): SpawnTarget {
-  const candidate = resolveWindowsSpawnProgramCandidate({
-    command: execPath,
-    env,
-    packageName: "lobster",
-  });
-  const program = applyWindowsSpawnProgramPolicy({
-    candidate,
-    allowShellFallback: false,
-  });
-  const resolved = materializeWindowsSpawnProgram(program, argv);
-  if (resolved.shell) {
-    throw new Error("lobster wrapper resolved to shell fallback unexpectedly");
-  }
-  return {
-    command: resolved.command,
-    argv: resolved.argv,
-    windowsHide: resolved.windowsHide,
-  };
-}
diff --git a/pnpm-lock.yaml b/pnpm-lock.yaml
index b1c44f61e04..8e7113d9b32 100644
--- a/pnpm-lock.yaml
+++ b/pnpm-lock.yaml
@@ -447,6 +447,9 @@ importers:
 
   extensions/lobster:
     dependencies:
+      '@clawdbot/lobster':
+        specifier: 2026.1.24
+        version: 2026.1.24
       '@sinclair/typebox':
         specifier: 0.34.49
         version: 0.34.49
@@ -1108,6 +1111,11 @@ packages:
   '@clack/prompts@1.2.0':
     resolution: {integrity: sha512-4jmztR9fMqPMjz6H/UZXj0zEmE43ha1euENwkckKKel4XpSfokExPo5AiVStdHSAlHekz4d0CA/r45Ok1E4D3w==}
 
+  '@clawdbot/lobster@2026.1.24':
+    resolution: {integrity: sha512-vHrMy4NErcq6suyGByfQSdalnvaMu4dRd10BJdeMp60V6cYtuHJSR2Ay5l0kb4iSPyk4dZKrXNNpLzeqHRcAfA==}
+    engines: {node: '>=20'}
+    hasBin: true
+
   '@cloudflare/workers-types@4.20260120.0':
     resolution: {integrity: sha512-B8pueG+a5S+mdK3z8oKu1ShcxloZ7qWb68IEyLLaepvdryIbNC7JVPcY0bWsjS56UQVKc5fnyRge3yZIwc9bxw==}
 
@@ -7388,6 +7396,11 @@ snapshots:
       fast-wrap-ansi: 0.1.6
       sisteransi: 1.0.5
 
+  '@clawdbot/lobster@2026.1.24':
+    dependencies:
+      ajv: 8.18.0
+      yaml: 2.8.3
+
   '@cloudflare/workers-types@4.20260120.0':
     optional: true