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zlin87468-maker

OpenClaw Updater (LinZ)

by zlin87468-maker · GitHub ↗ · v1.0.0 · MIT-0
cross-platform ✓ Security Clean
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Install in OpenClaw
/install linz-openclaw-updater
Description
Automatically check for and install OpenClaw updates. Use when the user wants to update OpenClaw to the latest version, schedule automatic updates, or check...
README (SKILL.md)

OpenClaw Updater

Automatically check for and install OpenClaw updates with backup and rollback support.

Overview

This skill provides automated OpenClaw update capabilities:

  • Check current vs latest version
  • Perform safe updates with automatic backups
  • Schedule periodic auto-updates via cron
  • Dry-run mode to preview updates

Quick Start

Check Current Version

openclaw --version

Check for Updates (Dry Run)

bash ~/.openclaw/workspace/skills/openclaw-updater/scripts/update-openclaw.sh --dry-run

Perform Update

bash ~/.openclaw/workspace/skills/openclaw-updater/scripts/update-openclaw.sh

Force Reinstall

bash ~/.openclaw/workspace/skills/openclaw-updater/scripts/update-openclaw.sh --force

Setting Up Auto-Updates

Daily Auto-Update via Cron

Add to crontab for daily update checks at 3 AM:

0 3 * * * /bin/bash ~/.openclaw/workspace/skills/openclaw-updater/scripts/update-openclaw.sh >> ~/.openclaw/logs/cron-update.log 2>&1

Or use OpenClaw's built-in cron:

{
  "name": "openclaw-auto-update",
  "schedule": { "kind": "cron", "expr": "0 3 * * *" },
  "payload": {
    "kind": "systemEvent",
    "text": "Run OpenClaw auto-updater: bash ~/.openclaw/workspace/skills/openclaw-updater/scripts/update-openclaw.sh"
  },
  "sessionTarget": "main"
}

How It Works

  1. Version Check: Compares installed version against npm registry
  2. Backup: Creates timestamped backup of config and workspace
  3. Update: Runs npm install -g @openclaw/core@latest
  4. Verify: Confirms new version is installed
  5. Cleanup: Maintains only last 5 backups

Logs and Backups

  • Logs: ~/.openclaw/logs/auto-update.log
  • Backups: ~/.openclaw/backups/openclaw-backup-YYYYMMDD-HHMMSS.tar.gz

Troubleshooting

Node.js Version Issues

OpenClaw requires Node.js >= 22.16.0. If you see version warnings:

# Check current Node version
node --version

# Update Node.js (using n or nvm)
n install 22.16.0
# or
nvm install 22.16.0 && nvm use 22.16.0

Update Fails

  1. Check logs: cat ~/.openclaw/logs/auto-update.log
  2. Verify npm permissions: npm config get prefix
  3. Try with sudo if needed: sudo npm install -g @openclaw/core@latest

Rollback

If update causes issues, restore from backup:

cd ~
tar -xzf ~/.openclaw/backups/openclaw-backup-YYYYMMDD-HHMMSS.tar.gz

Script Options

Option Description
--dry-run Check for updates without installing
--force Force update even if versions match
--help Show usage information

Resources

scripts/

  • update-openclaw.sh - Main update script with backup/restore capabilities
Usage Guidance
This updater appears to do what it claims, but check these points before installing or scheduling it: 1) The script runs npm install -g which modifies global packages and may require sudo — be comfortable granting that or run tests in a sandbox. 2) Verify the npm package names (@openclaw/core or openclaw) on the npm registry and confirm the package publisher is trusted. 3) Ensure you have Node.js >=22.16.0 and that npm/node/tar are available (the metadata did not list these required binaries). 4) Use --dry-run first and inspect the created backups in ~/.openclaw/backups before relying on automated cron runs. 5) Because the skill source/homepage is unknown, consider reviewing the script locally (it is included) and, if you automate it, restrict cron to run under an account with appropriate permissions and monitor ~/.openclaw/logs/auto-update.log.
Capability Analysis
Type: OpenClaw Skill Name: linz-openclaw-updater Version: 1.0.0 The skill is a legitimate utility for updating the OpenClaw tool. It includes a shell script (scripts/update-openclaw.sh) that checks the current version against the npm registry, creates local backups of configuration files, and performs updates using standard npm commands. No evidence of data exfiltration, malicious persistence, or prompt injection was found.
Capability Assessment
Purpose & Capability
The name/description claim an updater for OpenClaw and the SKILL.md plus the included script implement that behavior (version check via npm, backup, install, verification, rollback). One minor inconsistency: registry metadata lists no required binaries, but the script expects node, npm, tar (and possibly notify); these should have been declared.
Instruction Scope
The SKILL.md instructs the agent to run the included script and to optionally schedule it via cron; the script's actions (reading/writing under $HOME/.openclaw, creating backups, querying npm, running npm install -g) are in-scope for an updater. The instructions do not read unrelated system files or exfiltrate data to unexpected endpoints.
Install Mechanism
This is an instruction-only skill with an included shell script (no installer). The script uses npm to fetch packages from the npm registry, which is expected for a Node-based updater. No arbitrary external download URLs or archive extraction from unknown hosts are used.
Credentials
The skill requests no secrets or credentials. It uses only standard environment values (HOME) and an optional OPENCLAW_UPDATE_LOG override; that is proportionate to its purpose.
Persistence & Privilege
always is false and the skill does not request permanent elevated privileges. It suggests adding a cron job (user-controlled) and does not modify other skills or global agent settings.
How to Use
  1. Make sure OpenClaw is installed (local or Docker)
  2. Run the install command in chat: /install linz-openclaw-updater
  3. After installation, invoke the skill by name or use /linz-openclaw-updater
  4. Provide required inputs per the skill's parameter spec and get structured output
Version History
v1.0.0
Initial release: Auto-update OpenClaw with backup support, backup before update, cron support
Metadata
Slug linz-openclaw-updater
Version 1.0.0
License MIT-0
All-time Installs 0
Active Installs 0
Total Versions 1
Frequently Asked Questions

What is OpenClaw Updater (LinZ)?

Automatically check for and install OpenClaw updates. Use when the user wants to update OpenClaw to the latest version, schedule automatic updates, or check... It is an AI Agent Skill for Claude Code / OpenClaw, with 150 downloads so far.

How do I install OpenClaw Updater (LinZ)?

Run "/install linz-openclaw-updater" in the OpenClaw or Claude Code chat to install it in one step — no extra setup required.

Is OpenClaw Updater (LinZ) free?

Yes, OpenClaw Updater (LinZ) is completely free, licensed under MIT-0. You can download, install and use it at no cost.

Which platforms does OpenClaw Updater (LinZ) support?

OpenClaw Updater (LinZ) is cross-platform and runs anywhere OpenClaw / Claude Code is available (cross-platform).

Who created OpenClaw Updater (LinZ)?

It is built and maintained by zlin87468-maker (@zlin87468-maker); the current version is v1.0.0.

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