openclaw/docs/nodes/location-command.md

summary, read_when, title

summary	read_when	title
Location command for nodes (location.get), permission modes, and Android foreground behavior	Adding location node support or permissions UI Designing Android location permissions or foreground behavior	Location command

TL;DR

• location.get is a node command, invoked via node.invoke or openclaw nodes location get.
• Off by default.
• Android third-party builds use a selector: Off / While Using / Always. Play builds remain Off / While Using.
• Precise Location is a separate toggle.

Why a selector (not just a switch)

OS location permissions are multi-level. Precise location is a separate OS grant too (iOS 14+ "Precise", Android "fine" vs "coarse"). The in-app selector drives the requested mode, but the OS still decides the actual grant.

Settings model

Per node device:

• location.enabledMode: off | whileUsing | always
• location.preciseEnabled: bool

UI behavior:

• Selecting whileUsing requests foreground permission.
• Selecting always in the Android third-party build first requests foreground permission, explains the background access, then opens Android app settings for the separate Allow all the time grant.
• Android Play builds do not declare background location permission or show always.
• If the OS denies the requested level, the app reverts to the highest granted level and shows status.

Permissions mapping (node.permissions)

Optional. The macOS node reports location via the permissions map on node.list/node.describe; iOS/Android may omit it.

Command: location.get

Called via node.invoke, or the CLI helper:

openclaw nodes location get --node <idOrNameOrIp>
openclaw nodes location get --node <idOrNameOrIp> --accuracy precise --max-age 15000 --location-timeout 10000

Params:

{
  "timeoutMs": 10000,
  "maxAgeMs": 15000,
  "desiredAccuracy": "coarse|balanced|precise"
}

CLI flags map directly: --location-timeout -> timeoutMs, --max-age -> maxAgeMs, --accuracy -> desiredAccuracy.

Response payload:

{
  "lat": 48.20849,
  "lon": 16.37208,
  "accuracyMeters": 12.5,
  "altitudeMeters": 182.0,
  "speedMps": 0.0,
  "headingDeg": 270.0,
  "timestamp": "2026-01-03T12:34:56.000Z",
  "isPrecise": true,
  "source": "gps|wifi|cell|unknown"
}

Errors (stable codes):

• LOCATION_DISABLED: selector is off.
• LOCATION_PERMISSION_REQUIRED: permission missing for requested mode.
• LOCATION_BACKGROUND_UNAVAILABLE: app is backgrounded but only While Using is granted.
• LOCATION_TIMEOUT: no fix in time.
• LOCATION_UNAVAILABLE: system failure or no providers.

Background behavior

• Android third-party builds accept background location.get only when the user selected Always and Android granted background location. The existing persistent node service adds the location service type and discloses Location: Always while active.
• Android Play builds and While Using mode deny location.get while backgrounded.
• Other node platforms may differ.

Model/tooling integration

• Agent tool: the nodes tool's location_get action (node required).
• CLI: openclaw nodes location get --node <id>.
• Agent guidelines: only call when the user enabled location and understands the scope.

UX copy (suggested)

• Off: "Location sharing is disabled."
• While Using: "Only when OpenClaw is open."
• Always: "Allow requested location checks while OpenClaw is in the background."
• Precise: "Use precise GPS location. Toggle off to share approximate location."

Related

• Nodes overview
• Channel location parsing
• Camera capture
• Talk mode