diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 52d853b4c8b..c4e0d42afac 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -76,6 +76,7 @@ Docs: https://docs.openclaw.ai
 - Gateway/VoiceClaw: add a realtime brain WebSocket endpoint backed by Gemini Live, with owner-auth gating and async OpenClaw tool handoff. (#70938) Thanks @yagudaev.
 - Providers/DeepSeek: add DeepSeek V4 Flash and V4 Pro to the bundled catalog and make V4 Flash the onboarding default. Thanks @lsdsjy.
 - CLI/Gateway: make `gateway status` start faster by skipping plugin loading on the read-only status path. (#71364) Thanks @andyylin.
+- Plugins/compatibility: add a central plugin compatibility registry and docs for SDK/config/setup/runtime deprecation records, including dated migration metadata for legacy harness naming and other plugin-facing aliases. Thanks @vincentkoc.
 
 ### Fixes
 
diff --git a/docs/docs.json b/docs/docs.json
index 487f357e6a9..0df3e09b929 100644
--- a/docs/docs.json
+++ b/docs/docs.json
@@ -1165,6 +1165,7 @@
                       "plugins/hooks",
                       "plugins/sdk-channel-plugins",
                       "plugins/sdk-provider-plugins",
+                      "plugins/compatibility",
                       "plugins/sdk-migration"
                     ]
                   },
diff --git a/docs/plugins/compatibility.md b/docs/plugins/compatibility.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..ac9e92f536f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/plugins/compatibility.md
@@ -0,0 +1,74 @@
+---
+summary: "Plugin compatibility contracts, deprecation metadata, and migration expectations"
+title: "Plugin compatibility"
+read_when:
+  - You maintain an OpenClaw plugin
+  - You see a plugin compatibility warning
+  - You are planning a plugin SDK or manifest migration
+---
+
+OpenClaw keeps older plugin contracts wired through named compatibility
+adapters before removing them. This protects existing bundled and external
+plugins while the SDK, manifest, setup, config, and agent runtime contracts
+evolve.
+
+## Compatibility registry
+
+Plugin compatibility contracts are tracked in the core registry at
+`src/plugins/compat/registry.ts`.
+
+Each record has:
+
+- a stable compatibility code
+- status: `active`, `deprecated`, `removal-pending`, or `removed`
+- owner: SDK, config, setup, channel, provider, plugin execution, agent runtime,
+  or core
+- introduction and deprecation dates when applicable
+- replacement guidance
+- docs, diagnostics, and tests that cover the old and new behavior
+
+The registry is the source for maintainer planning and future plugin inspector
+checks. If a plugin-facing behavior changes, add or update the compatibility
+record in the same change that adds the adapter.
+
+## Deprecation policy
+
+OpenClaw should not remove a documented plugin contract in the same release
+that introduces its replacement.
+
+The migration sequence is:
+
+1. Add the new contract.
+2. Keep the old behavior wired through a named compatibility adapter.
+3. Emit diagnostics or warnings when plugin authors can act.
+4. Document the replacement and timeline.
+5. Test both old and new paths.
+6. Wait through the announced migration window.
+7. Remove only with explicit breaking-release approval.
+
+Deprecated records must include a warning start date, replacement, docs link,
+and target removal date when known.
+
+## Current compatibility areas
+
+Current compatibility records include:
+
+- legacy broad SDK imports such as `openclaw/plugin-sdk/compat`
+- legacy hook-only plugin shapes and `before_agent_start`
+- bundled plugin allowlist and enablement behavior
+- legacy provider/channel env-var manifest metadata
+- activation hints that are being replaced by manifest contribution ownership
+- `embeddedHarness` and `agent-harness` naming aliases while public naming moves
+  toward `agentRuntime`
+- generated bundled channel config metadata fallback while registry-first
+  `channelConfigs` metadata lands
+
+New plugin code should prefer the replacement listed in the registry and in the
+specific migration guide. Existing plugins can keep using a compatibility path
+until the docs, diagnostics, and release notes announce a removal window.
+
+## Release notes
+
+Release notes should include upcoming plugin deprecations with target dates and
+links to migration docs. That warning needs to happen before a compatibility
+path moves to `removal-pending` or `removed`.
diff --git a/src/plugins/compat/registry.test.ts b/src/plugins/compat/registry.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..f90737161fc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/plugins/compat/registry.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+import { describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
+import {
+  getPluginCompatRecord,
+  isPluginCompatCode,
+  listDeprecatedPluginCompatRecords,
+  listPluginCompatRecords,
+} from "./registry.js";
+
+const datePattern = /^\d{4}-\d{2}-\d{2}$/u;
+
+describe("plugin compatibility registry", () => {
+  it("keeps compatibility codes unique and lookup-safe", () => {
+    const records = listPluginCompatRecords();
+    const codes = records.map((record) => record.code);
+
+    expect(new Set(codes).size).toBe(codes.length);
+    expect(isPluginCompatCode("legacy-root-sdk-import")).toBe(true);
+    expect(isPluginCompatCode("missing-code")).toBe(false);
+    expect(getPluginCompatRecord("legacy-root-sdk-import").owner).toBe("sdk");
+  });
+
+  it("requires dated deprecation metadata for deprecated records", () => {
+    for (const record of listDeprecatedPluginCompatRecords()) {
+      expect(record.deprecated, record.code).toMatch(datePattern);
+      expect(record.warningStarts, record.code).toMatch(datePattern);
+      expect(record.replacement, record.code).toBeTruthy();
+      expect(record.docsPath, record.code).toMatch(/^\//u);
+    }
+  });
+
+  it("keeps every record actionable", () => {
+    for (const record of listPluginCompatRecords()) {
+      expect(record.introduced, record.code).toMatch(datePattern);
+      expect(record.docsPath, record.code).toMatch(/^\//u);
+      expect(record.surfaces.length, record.code).toBeGreaterThan(0);
+      expect(record.diagnostics.length, record.code).toBeGreaterThan(0);
+      expect(record.tests.length, record.code).toBeGreaterThan(0);
+    }
+  });
+});
diff --git a/src/plugins/compat/registry.ts b/src/plugins/compat/registry.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..d7473508ad2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/plugins/compat/registry.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,242 @@
+import type { PluginCompatRecord } from "./types.js";
+
+export const PLUGIN_COMPAT_RECORDS = [
+  {
+    code: "legacy-before-agent-start",
+    status: "deprecated",
+    owner: "sdk",
+    introduced: "2026-04-24",
+    deprecated: "2026-04-24",
+    warningStarts: "2026-04-24",
+    replacement: "`before_model_resolve` and `before_prompt_build` hooks",
+    docsPath: "/plugins/sdk-migration",
+    surfaces: ["plugin hooks", "plugins inspect", "status diagnostics"],
+    diagnostics: ["plugin compatibility notice"],
+    tests: ["src/plugins/status.test.ts", "src/plugins/contracts/shape.contract.test.ts"],
+    releaseNote:
+      "Legacy `before_agent_start` hook compatibility remains wired while plugins migrate to modern hook stages.",
+  },
+  {
+    code: "hook-only-plugin-shape",
+    status: "active",
+    owner: "sdk",
+    introduced: "2026-04-24",
+    replacement: "explicit capability registration",
+    docsPath: "/plugins/sdk-migration",
+    surfaces: ["plugin shape inspection", "plugins inspect", "status diagnostics"],
+    diagnostics: ["plugin compatibility notice"],
+    tests: ["src/plugins/status.test.ts", "src/plugins/contracts/shape.contract.test.ts"],
+  },
+  {
+    code: "legacy-root-sdk-import",
+    status: "deprecated",
+    owner: "sdk",
+    introduced: "2026-04-24",
+    deprecated: "2026-04-24",
+    warningStarts: "2026-04-24",
+    replacement: "focused `openclaw/plugin-sdk/<subpath>` imports",
+    docsPath: "/plugins/sdk-migration",
+    surfaces: ["openclaw/plugin-sdk", "openclaw/plugin-sdk/compat"],
+    diagnostics: ["OPENCLAW_PLUGIN_SDK_COMPAT_DEPRECATED"],
+    tests: [
+      "src/plugins/contracts/plugin-sdk-index.test.ts",
+      "src/plugins/contracts/plugin-sdk-subpaths.test.ts",
+    ],
+  },
+  {
+    code: "bundled-plugin-allowlist",
+    status: "active",
+    owner: "config",
+    introduced: "2026-04-24",
+    replacement: "manifest-owned plugin enablement and scoped load plans",
+    docsPath: "/plugins/architecture",
+    surfaces: ["plugins.allow", "bundled provider startup", "plugins status"],
+    diagnostics: ["plugin status report"],
+    tests: ["src/plugins/status.test.ts", "src/plugins/config-state.test.ts"],
+  },
+  {
+    code: "bundled-plugin-enablement",
+    status: "active",
+    owner: "config",
+    introduced: "2026-04-24",
+    replacement: "manifest-owned plugin defaults and scoped load plans",
+    docsPath: "/plugins/architecture",
+    surfaces: ["plugins.entries", "bundled provider startup", "plugins status"],
+    diagnostics: ["plugin status report"],
+    tests: ["src/plugins/status.test.ts", "src/plugins/config-state.test.ts"],
+  },
+  {
+    code: "bundled-plugin-vitest-defaults",
+    status: "active",
+    owner: "config",
+    introduced: "2026-04-24",
+    replacement: "explicit test plugin config fixtures",
+    docsPath: "/plugins/architecture",
+    surfaces: ["Vitest plugin defaults", "bundled provider tests"],
+    diagnostics: ["test-only compatibility path"],
+    tests: ["src/plugins/config-state.test.ts"],
+  },
+  {
+    code: "provider-auth-env-vars",
+    status: "deprecated",
+    owner: "setup",
+    introduced: "2026-04-24",
+    deprecated: "2026-04-24",
+    warningStarts: "2026-04-24",
+    replacement: "`setup.providers[].envVars` and `providerAuthChoices`",
+    docsPath: "/plugins/manifest",
+    surfaces: ["openclaw.plugin.json providerAuthEnvVars", "provider setup"],
+    diagnostics: ["manifest compatibility diagnostic"],
+    tests: ["src/plugins/setup-registry.test.ts", "src/plugins/provider-auth-choices.test.ts"],
+  },
+  {
+    code: "channel-env-vars",
+    status: "deprecated",
+    owner: "channel",
+    introduced: "2026-04-24",
+    deprecated: "2026-04-24",
+    warningStarts: "2026-04-24",
+    replacement: "`channelConfigs.<id>.schema` and setup descriptors",
+    docsPath: "/plugins/manifest",
+    surfaces: ["openclaw.plugin.json channelEnvVars", "channel setup"],
+    diagnostics: ["manifest compatibility diagnostic"],
+    tests: [
+      "src/plugins/setup-registry.test.ts",
+      "src/channels/plugins/setup-group-access.test.ts",
+    ],
+  },
+  {
+    code: "activation-provider-hint",
+    status: "active",
+    owner: "plugin-execution",
+    introduced: "2026-04-24",
+    replacement: "`providers[]` manifest ownership",
+    docsPath: "/plugins/manifest",
+    surfaces: ["activation.onProviders", "activation planner"],
+    diagnostics: ["activation plan compat reason"],
+    tests: ["src/plugins/activation-planner.test.ts"],
+  },
+  {
+    code: "activation-channel-hint",
+    status: "active",
+    owner: "plugin-execution",
+    introduced: "2026-04-24",
+    replacement: "`channels[]` manifest ownership",
+    docsPath: "/plugins/manifest",
+    surfaces: ["activation.onChannels", "activation planner"],
+    diagnostics: ["activation plan compat reason"],
+    tests: ["src/plugins/activation-planner.test.ts"],
+  },
+  {
+    code: "activation-command-hint",
+    status: "active",
+    owner: "plugin-execution",
+    introduced: "2026-04-24",
+    replacement: "`commandAliases` or command contribution metadata",
+    docsPath: "/plugins/manifest",
+    surfaces: ["activation.onCommands", "activation planner"],
+    diagnostics: ["activation plan compat reason"],
+    tests: ["src/plugins/activation-planner.test.ts"],
+  },
+  {
+    code: "activation-route-hint",
+    status: "active",
+    owner: "plugin-execution",
+    introduced: "2026-04-24",
+    replacement: "HTTP route contribution metadata",
+    docsPath: "/plugins/manifest",
+    surfaces: ["activation.onRoutes", "activation planner"],
+    diagnostics: ["activation plan compat reason"],
+    tests: ["src/plugins/activation-planner.test.ts"],
+  },
+  {
+    code: "activation-capability-hint",
+    status: "active",
+    owner: "plugin-execution",
+    introduced: "2026-04-24",
+    replacement: "manifest contribution ownership",
+    docsPath: "/plugins/manifest",
+    surfaces: ["activation.onCapabilities", "activation planner"],
+    diagnostics: ["activation plan compat reason"],
+    tests: ["src/plugins/activation-planner.test.ts"],
+  },
+  {
+    code: "embedded-harness-config-alias",
+    status: "deprecated",
+    owner: "agent-runtime",
+    introduced: "2026-04-24",
+    deprecated: "2026-04-25",
+    warningStarts: "2026-04-25",
+    replacement: "`agentRuntime` config naming",
+    docsPath: "/plugins/sdk-agent-harness",
+    surfaces: ["agents.defaults.embeddedHarness", "model/provider runtime selection"],
+    diagnostics: ["agent runtime config compatibility"],
+    tests: ["src/agents/config.test.ts", "src/agents/runtime-selection.test.ts"],
+  },
+  {
+    code: "agent-harness-sdk-alias",
+    status: "deprecated",
+    owner: "agent-runtime",
+    introduced: "2026-04-24",
+    deprecated: "2026-04-25",
+    warningStarts: "2026-04-25",
+    replacement: "`openclaw/plugin-sdk/agent-runtime`",
+    docsPath: "/plugins/sdk-agent-harness",
+    surfaces: ["openclaw/plugin-sdk/agent-harness", "openclaw/plugin-sdk/agent-harness-runtime"],
+    diagnostics: ["plugin SDK compatibility warning"],
+    tests: ["src/plugins/contracts/plugin-sdk-subpaths.test.ts"],
+  },
+  {
+    code: "agent-harness-id-alias",
+    status: "deprecated",
+    owner: "agent-runtime",
+    introduced: "2026-04-24",
+    deprecated: "2026-04-25",
+    warningStarts: "2026-04-25",
+    replacement: "`agentRuntime` ids and policy metadata",
+    docsPath: "/plugins/sdk-agent-harness",
+    surfaces: ["manifest/catalog execution policy", "runtime selection"],
+    diagnostics: ["agent runtime compatibility warning"],
+    tests: ["src/plugins/provider-runtime.test.ts", "src/web/provider-runtime-shared.test.ts"],
+  },
+  {
+    code: "generated-bundled-channel-config-fallback",
+    status: "active",
+    owner: "channel",
+    introduced: "2026-04-24",
+    replacement: "manifest registry `channelConfigs` metadata",
+    docsPath: "/plugins/manifest",
+    surfaces: ["generated bundled channel config metadata", "channel config validation"],
+    diagnostics: ["channel config metadata fallback"],
+    tests: ["src/plugins/contracts/config-footprint-guardrails.test.ts"],
+  },
+] as const satisfies readonly PluginCompatRecord[];
+
+export type PluginCompatCode = (typeof PLUGIN_COMPAT_RECORDS)[number]["code"];
+export type KnownPluginCompatRecord = PluginCompatRecord<PluginCompatCode>;
+
+const pluginCompatRecordByCode = new Map<PluginCompatCode, KnownPluginCompatRecord>(
+  PLUGIN_COMPAT_RECORDS.map((record) => [record.code, record]),
+);
+
+export function listPluginCompatRecords(): readonly KnownPluginCompatRecord[] {
+  return PLUGIN_COMPAT_RECORDS;
+}
+
+export function getPluginCompatRecord(code: PluginCompatCode): KnownPluginCompatRecord {
+  const record = pluginCompatRecordByCode.get(code);
+  if (!record) {
+    throw new Error(`Unknown plugin compatibility code: ${code}`);
+  }
+  return record;
+}
+
+export function isPluginCompatCode(code: string): code is PluginCompatCode {
+  return pluginCompatRecordByCode.has(code as PluginCompatCode);
+}
+
+export function listDeprecatedPluginCompatRecords(): readonly KnownPluginCompatRecord[] {
+  return PLUGIN_COMPAT_RECORDS.filter((record) =>
+    (["deprecated", "removal-pending"] as readonly string[]).includes(record.status),
+  );
+}
diff --git a/src/plugins/compat/types.ts b/src/plugins/compat/types.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..67b3a76de4c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/plugins/compat/types.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+export type PluginCompatStatus = "active" | "deprecated" | "removal-pending" | "removed";
+
+export type PluginCompatOwner =
+  | "agent-runtime"
+  | "channel"
+  | "config"
+  | "core"
+  | "plugin-execution"
+  | "provider"
+  | "sdk"
+  | "setup";
+
+export type PluginCompatRecord<Code extends string = string> = {
+  code: Code;
+  status: PluginCompatStatus;
+  owner: PluginCompatOwner;
+  introduced: string;
+  deprecated?: string;
+  warningStarts?: string;
+  removeAfter?: string;
+  replacement?: string;
+  docsPath: string;
+  surfaces: readonly string[];
+  diagnostics: readonly string[];
+  tests: readonly string[];
+  releaseNote?: string;
+};
diff --git a/src/plugins/status.test-helpers.ts b/src/plugins/status.test-helpers.ts
index d51746e7d77..d063049f53e 100644
--- a/src/plugins/status.test-helpers.ts
+++ b/src/plugins/status.test-helpers.ts
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ export function createCompatibilityNotice(
     return {
       pluginId: params.pluginId,
       code: params.code,
+      compatCode: "legacy-before-agent-start",
       severity: "warn",
       message: LEGACY_BEFORE_AGENT_START_MESSAGE,
     };
@@ -23,6 +24,7 @@ export function createCompatibilityNotice(
   return {
     pluginId: params.pluginId,
     code: params.code,
+    compatCode: "hook-only-plugin-shape",
     severity: "info",
     message: HOOK_ONLY_MESSAGE,
   };
diff --git a/src/plugins/status.ts b/src/plugins/status.ts
index 46c136a454e..af2d522357c 100644
--- a/src/plugins/status.ts
+++ b/src/plugins/status.ts
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import {
   withBundledPluginAllowlistCompat,
   withBundledPluginEnablementCompat,
 } from "./bundled-compat.js";
+import type { PluginCompatCode } from "./compat/registry.js";
 import { normalizePluginsConfig } from "./config-state.js";
 import {
   buildPluginShapeSummary,
@@ -37,6 +38,7 @@ export type { PluginCapabilityKind, PluginInspectShape } from "./inspect-shape.j
 export type PluginCompatibilityNotice = {
   pluginId: string;
   code: "legacy-before-agent-start" | "hook-only";
+  compatCode: PluginCompatCode;
   severity: "warn" | "info";
   message: string;
 };
@@ -100,6 +102,7 @@ function buildCompatibilityNoticesForInspect(
     warnings.push({
       pluginId: inspect.plugin.id,
       code: "legacy-before-agent-start",
+      compatCode: "legacy-before-agent-start",
       severity: "warn",
       message:
         "still uses legacy before_agent_start; keep regression coverage on this plugin, and prefer before_model_resolve/before_prompt_build for new work.",
@@ -109,6 +112,7 @@ function buildCompatibilityNoticesForInspect(
     warnings.push({
       pluginId: inspect.plugin.id,
       code: "hook-only",
+      compatCode: "hook-only-plugin-shape",
       severity: "info",
       message:
         "is hook-only. This remains a supported compatibility path, but it has not migrated to explicit capability registration yet.",
diff --git a/src/wizard/setup.test.ts b/src/wizard/setup.test.ts
index 8d2526ded16..088aedee456 100644
--- a/src/wizard/setup.test.ts
+++ b/src/wizard/setup.test.ts
@@ -748,6 +748,7 @@ describe("runSetupWizard", () => {
       {
         pluginId: "legacy-plugin",
         code: "legacy-before-agent-start",
+        compatCode: "legacy-before-agent-start",
         severity: "warn",
         message:
           "still uses legacy before_agent_start; keep regression coverage on this plugin, and prefer before_model_resolve/before_prompt_build for new work.",