OctoClaw Runtime Skill

This skill describes the current v0.6.0 runtime line. It intentionally does not describe the old Python octoclaw_spawn.py, completion-file finalizer, or JSON delivery-outbox runtime. Those were historical mechanisms and must not be reintroduced as compatibility paths.

Current Authority

| Layer | Authority | |------|-----------| | live route | reply | delegate only | | execution lifecycle | OpenClaw native TaskFlow / sessions_spawn / native announce | | OctoClaw metadata | SQLite runtime ledger: WorkContract, route seal, native refs, spawn intent, audit events | | status display | generated projection from metadata + native lifecycle | | task-state.json | rebuildable read-model cache, not truth | | replay log | observability and evaluation evidence, not runtime truth |

Main-Agent Rules

1. For direct answers, use reply; do not create work.
2. For delegated work, call octoclaw_dispatch; do not hand-write spawn args.
3. After native spawn is accepted, confirm with octoclaw_dispatch_confirm.
4. For status/provenance/follow-up questions, use octoclaw_status or octoclaw_task_action; do not dispatch new work just to explain old work.
5. Do not call or recreate octoclaw_spawn.
6. Do not use completion files, child-finalizer recovery, or JSON delivery outbox as the normal final-delivery mechanism.
7. Do not treat task-state.json as durable truth. Missing or corrupt task-state must be rebuilt or reported degraded.
8. Do not inject raw child transcripts into the parent context.

Tool Use

| Tool | Use | |------|-----| | octoclaw_route_hint | Ask the runtime for route guidance before model/tool escalation. | | octoclaw_policy_decide / octoclaw_route | Resolve policy and route facts. | | octoclaw_dispatch | Create a WorkContract-backed delegation plan and native spawn intent. | | octoclaw_dispatch_confirm | Bind accepted native runId / childSessionKey evidence back to OctoClaw metadata. | | octoclaw_task_action | Read task details, queue, artifacts, or supported task operations. | | octoclaw_status | Render status/details/queue/timeline from projection. |

Auto Router Commands

| Command | Use | |---------|-----| | octoclawctl router wizard [--incremental] [--config answers.json] | Create or update local router plan/budget/privacy/language/restricted/same-provider config. | | octoclawctl router promotion review [--input shadow.jsonl] | Evaluate local shadow samples and append promotion decisions. | | octoclawctl router decisions [--since 7d] | Inspect shadow-to-live promotion decisions. | | octoclawctl router cost report [--period 7d] | Review local cost grouped by model, complexity, and route, including prediction and budget status. | | octoclawctl router cost budget set --monthly <usd> | Store the local monthly router budget. | | octoclawctl router score override <model> <tier>=<score> | Override a model score for a complexity tier. | | octoclawctl router model mark <model> --dispreferred-for <tier> | Soft-avoid a model for a tier. | | octoclawctl router model ban <model> --for <tier> | Hard-exclude a model for a tier. |

Delegation Contract

Delegated work must carry:

• WorkContract id and route seal.
• scope and allowed tools.
• role / worker-pool / model profile metadata.
• native spawn intent id.
• accepted native refs after confirm.
• status projection derived from native lifecycle and OctoClaw metadata.

spawnExecuted=true requires accepted native run evidence. A child session key by itself is only a reference; it is not execution proof.

Status Questions

These are status-surface requests, not new work:

• "OctoClaw status"
• "task status"
• "which task is running?"
• "why did it not dispatch?"
• "who handled the previous task?"
• "show queue/details/timeline"

Answer through octoclaw_status or octoclaw_task_action. If no verifiable record exists, say that clearly and do not invent a task.

Current Docs

• README.md / README.zh-CN.md: operator-facing overview.
• docs/octoclaw-architecture-map-2026-05-09.md: detailed module graph.
• docs/octoclaw-ts-rebuild-design-v2.md: architecture baseline.
• docs/octoclaw-runtime-convergence-cleanup-plan-2026-05-07.md: runtime cleanup handoff.
• docs/octoclaw-repo-debt-cleanup-plan-2026-05-09.md: archive/version/terminology cleanup.
• docs/archive/: historical material only.

Forbidden Legacy Paths

Do not reintroduce these as product runtime behavior:

• octoclaw_spawn as a public tool or alias.
• plugin runtime.subagent.run() fallback.
• fake detached runtime capability registration.
• child completion files as normal final protocol.
• child-finalizer recovery loop.
• JSON delivery outbox for new planner/native runtime tasks.
• resident runner / tmux / ClawTeam as required substrate.