Lifecycle guide · Independent guidance

Update OpenClaw safely

Start with `openclaw update status --json`, create a verified backup, and preview with `openclaw update --dry-run`. Package installs and source checkouts follow different update paths. A normal update may restart the managed Gateway and verify its version; `--no-restart` leaves the running service on old code until you restart it.

Current snapshotUpdated 2026-08-24Official docs main snapshot · OpenClaw 2026.8.1
01

Safe update sequence

  1. 1

    Inspect channel and availability

    Record the current version and active stable/beta/dev selection.

    openclaw update status --json
  2. 2

    Back up restorable state

    Verify the archive before changing package or schema state.

    openclaw backup create --verify
  3. 3

    Preview the plan

    Confirm target, install method, plugin sync, and restart behavior.

    openclaw update --dry-run --json
  4. 4

    Update and verify

    Run interactively unless automation has an explicit policy.

    openclaw update
    openclaw doctor --post-upgrade --json
    openclaw gateway status --require-rpc
02

When an update only partly completes

Use `openclaw update repair` when the core package changed but post-update plugin sync or repair did not converge. Do not repeatedly reinstall the package while the service, plugin metadata, or state migration is unresolved. Downgrades can be unsafe after schema or session-state migrations; restore only from evidence-backed backups and follow the release-specific guidance.

Primary sources

Verify against the owner.

Content snapshot follows official docs main at the recorded commit; the current package metadata reported 2026.8.1 when verified. Your installed release and live CLI schema remain authoritative.