openclaw slow commands | Friends of the Crustacean 🦞🤝 | Page 1

polar talonBOT Apr 10, 2026, 11:49 PM

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gusty ermineBOT Apr 10, 2026, 11:49 PM

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half terraceBOT Apr 10, 2026, 11:51 PM

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Yeah, 3 to 5 minutes for gateway, doctor, and configure is definitely not normal.

First, can you paste these exact outputs?

openclaw --version
time openclaw status --all
time openclaw gateway status --deep
time openclaw doctor --non-interactive

Then, in a second terminal:

openclaw logs --follow

#

and in the first terminal run:

time openclaw gateway restart

A few likely culprits I’d check first:

stale/duplicate gateway services, gateway status --deep is good at catching that
slow I/O on the OpenClaw state dir, especially cloud-synced or SD/eMMC-backed storage
shell completion wired as source <(openclaw completion ...), which is a known slow pattern
something in startup hanging during health/config checks, which should show in logs --follow

Also tell me:

your OS
whether the delay happens before any output appears, or during startup after some logs print

#

Docs I’m using:

If you paste those results, I can help narrow it down pretty quickly.

rigid harbor Apr 10, 2026, 11:51 PM

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PS C:\Users\ameli> openclaw configure
PS C:\Users\ameli> openclaw --version
OpenClaw 2026.4.9 (0512059)
PS C:\Users\ameli> time openclaw status --all
time : The term 'time' is not recognized as the name of a cmdlet, function,
script file, or operable program. Check the spelling of the name, or if a
path was included, verify that the path is correct and try again.
At line:1 char:1

time openclaw status --all

  + CategoryInfo          : ObjectNotFound: (time:String) [], CommandNotF
 oundException
  + FullyQualifiedErrorId : CommandNotFoundException

PS C:\Users\ameli> time openclaw gateway status --deep
time : The term 'time' is not recognized as the name of a cmdlet, function,
script file, or operable program. Check the spelling of the name, or if a
path was included, verify that the path is correct and try again.
At line:1 char:1

time openclaw gateway status --deep

  + CategoryInfo          : ObjectNotFound: (time:String) [], CommandNotF
 oundException
  + FullyQualifiedErrorId : CommandNotFoundException

PS C:\Users\ameli> time openclaw doctor --non-interactive
time : The term 'time' is not recognized as the name of a cmdlet, function,
script file, or operable program. Check the spelling of the name, or if a
path was included, verify that the path is correct and try again.
At line:1 char:1

time openclaw doctor --non-interactive

  + CategoryInfo          : ObjectNotFound: (time:String) [], CommandNotF
 oundException
  + FullyQualifiedErrorId : CommandNotFoundException

PS C:\Users\ameli>

Im on windows terminal

half terraceBOT Apr 10, 2026, 11:52 PM

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Yep, that’s just PowerShell being different, time is a bash thing 🙂

Your version looks recent enough, so this probably isn’t just version drift.

Can you run these in PowerShell and paste the outputs?

Measure-Command { openclaw status --all | Out-Host } | Format-List TotalSeconds
Measure-Command { openclaw gateway status --deep | Out-Host } | Format-List TotalSeconds
Measure-Command { openclaw doctor --non-interactive | Out-Host } | Format-List TotalSeconds

Then in a second tab:

openclaw logs --follow

#

and back in the first tab:

Measure-Command { openclaw gateway restart | Out-Host } | Format-List TotalSeconds

One extra Windows-specific check too:

if (Test-Path $PROFILE) { Select-String -Path $PROFILE -Pattern "openclaw completion" -SimpleMatch } else { "no PowerShell profile" }

Reason I’m asking for that last one: the docs specifically call out a slow dynamic completion setup as a known culprit, and doctor can migrate it to a cached/faster variant.

If you want one super quick isolation test, also try this in plain cmd.exe:

#

openclaw status --all

If cmd.exe is fast but PowerShell is slow, I’d strongly suspect the PowerShell profile/completion path.

rigid harbor Apr 10, 2026, 11:58 PM

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Its not letting me send the full thing but here:

System OverviewItemValueVersion2026.4.9OSwindows 10.0.26200 (x64)Node24.13.0Config~.openclaw\openclaw.jsonDashboardhttp://127.0.0.1:18789/TailscaleoffChannelstable (default)Updatepnpm · up to date · npm latest 2026.4.9Gatewaylocal · ws://127.0.0.1:18789 (local loopback) · reachable 56ms · auth token · Amelios-Lenovo (192.168.1.11) app 2026.4.9 windows 10.0.26200SecurityRun: openclaw security audit --deepGateway selfunknownGateway serviceScheduled Task installed · registered · stopped (state Queued, Task Last Run Result=0; treating as not running.)Node serviceScheduled Task not installedAgents15 total · 1 bootstrapping · 0 active · 142 sessionsSecretsnone

half terraceBOT Apr 10, 2026, 11:59 PM

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That snippet is actually pretty helpful.

Two things jump out:

the gateway is reachable, but the Windows Scheduled Task says stopped/queued
you also have 1 agent stuck bootstrapping

That combination makes me suspicious of a service mismatch / stale task / extra gateway process more than a normal “slow model” problem.

Can you paste just these filtered lines so Discord doesn’t eat the message?

openclaw gateway status --deep | Select-String "Gateway service|Runtime:|Probe target:|Listening:|Config \(cli\):|Config \(service\):|Last gateway error:|Other gateway-like services"

and this:

#

schtasks /Query /TN "OpenClaw Gateway" /V /FO LIST | Select-String "Status:|Last Run Time:|Last Result:|Task To Run:"

Also, if you can, tell me whether that 1 bootstrapping count stays there all the time.

Why I’m focusing here:

docs say if Config (cli) and Config (service) differ, the fix is usually:
```
openclaw gateway install --force
```
and if gateway status --deep shows other gateway-like services/processes, cleaning up the stale one usually fixes weird slow starts

So I’m pretty optimistic we’re close. The queued Scheduled Task is not normal.

rigid harbor Apr 10, 2026, 11:59 PM

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PS C:\Users\ameli> Measure-Command { openclaw doctor --non-interactive | Out-Host } | Format-List TotalSecondsopenclaw gateway status --deep | Select-String "Gateway service|Runtime:|Probe target:|Listening:|Config (cli):|Config (service):|Last gateway error:|Other gateway-like services"
Format-List : A positional parameter cannot be found that accepts argument 'gateway'.
At line:1 char:68

... ut-Host } | Format-List TotalSecondsopenclaw gateway status --deep | ...
```
            ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
```
- CategoryInfo : InvalidArgument: (:) [Format-List], ParameterBindingException
- FullyQualifiedErrorId : PositionalParameterNotFound,Microsoft.PowerShell.Commands.FormatListCommand

PS C:\Users\ameli> schtasks /Query /TN "OpenClaw Gateway" /V /FO LIST | Select-String "Status:|Last Run Time:|Last Result:|Task To Run:"

Status: Queued
Last Run Time: 4/10/2026 7:46:33 PM
Last Result: 0
Task To Run: C:\Users\ameli.openclaw\gateway.cmd

PS C:\Users\ameli>

half terraceBOT Apr 11, 2026, 12:00 AM

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PowerShell glued your two commands together there, but the schtasks output already gave the big clue.

Task To Run: C:\Users\ameli\.openclaw\gateway.cmd is normal.
The bad part is Status: Queued. That Scheduled Task looks wedged.

I’d try this next, as three separate commands:

openclaw gateway stop
openclaw gateway install --force
openclaw gateway status --deep

If that fixes the stuck task, great. If not, let’s isolate whether it’s the gateway or the Scheduled Task wrapper by running it directly in the foreground:

#

openclaw gateway run

If gateway run starts fast, but the scheduled task path is still slow/stuck, then the problem is very likely the Windows service/task layer, not OpenClaw itself.

Also, please run this as its own command and paste the output:

openclaw gateway status --deep | Select-String "Gateway service|Runtime:|Probe target:|Listening:|Config \(cli\):|Config \(service\):|Last gateway error:|Other gateway-like services"

I’m pretty confident the stuck Queued task is the main lead here. If install --force cleans it up, you’re probably done.

rigid harbor Apr 11, 2026, 12:04 AM

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PS C:\Users\ameli> openclaw gateway stop

🦞 OpenClaw 2026.4.9 (0512059) — If it works, it's automation; if it breaks, it's a "learning opportunity."

Stopped Scheduled Task: OpenClaw Gateway
PS C:\Users\ameli> openclaw gateway install --force

🦞 OpenClaw 2026.4.9 (0512059) — I've read more man pages than any human should—so you don't have to.

Installed Scheduled Task: OpenClaw Gateway
Task script: C:\Users\ameli.openclaw\gateway.cmd
PS C:\Users\ameli> openclaw gateway status --deep

🦞 OpenClaw 2026.4.9 (0512059) — You had me at 'openclaw gateway start.'

│
◇
Service: Scheduled Task (registered)
File logs: \tmp\openclaw\openclaw-2026-04-10.log
Command: C:\Program Files\nodejs\node.exe C:\Users\ameli\AppData\Roaming\npm\node_modules\openclaw\dist\index.js gateway --port 18789
Service file: ~.openclaw\gateway.cmd
Service env: OPENCLAW_GATEWAY_PORT=18789

#

Config (cli): ~.openclaw\openclaw.json
Config (service): ~.openclaw\openclaw.json

Gateway: bind=loopback (127.0.0.1), port=18789 (service args)
Probe target: ws://127.0.0.1:18789
Dashboard: http://127.0.0.1:18789/
Probe note: Loopback-only gateway; only local clients can connect.

Runtime: stopped (state Queued, last run 0, last run time 4/10/2026 8:03:15 PM, Task Last Run Result=0; treating as not running.)
RPC probe: failed
RPC target: ws://127.0.0.1:18789
gateway closed (1006):

Service is loaded but not running (likely exited immediately).
File logs: \tmp\openclaw\openclaw-2026-04-10.log
Logs: schtasks /Query /TN "OpenClaw Gateway" /V /FO LIST

half terraceBOT Apr 11, 2026, 12:04 AM

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Nice, that’s progress.

The Scheduled Task got rewritten successfully, and the service command path looks sane. So now the real question is: did the reinstall actually remove the slowness?

Please run these one at a time and paste the TotalSeconds plus whether they still feel stuck:

Measure-Command { openclaw gateway restart | Out-Host } | Format-List TotalSeconds

Measure-Command { openclaw doctor --non-interactive | Out-Host } | Format-List TotalSeconds

If either one is still taking minutes, then do this next:

#

openclaw gateway run

If gateway run starts quickly in the foreground, but the managed service path is still weird, then the culprit is still the Windows Scheduled Task layer.

If gateway run is also slow, then I’d shift suspicion to the stuck bootstrapping agent / startup work inside OpenClaw itself.

#

Perfect, that narrows it down a lot.

So now we know:

config mismatch is not the issue
the Scheduled Task is registered correctly
but it is exiting immediately, and Windows is leaving it in that bogus Queued state

At this point, the best next step is to bypass the Scheduled Task entirely and catch the real error directly:

openclaw gateway run

Then paste what it prints, especially:

if it exits immediately

#

the first error
or the last 10 to 20 lines before it hangs

If openclaw gateway run starts normally, then the problem is specifically the Windows Scheduled Task wrapper.

If openclaw gateway run also fails or hangs, then we’ve got the real gateway failure in hand, and we can debug that directly.

rigid harbor Apr 11, 2026, 12:06 AM

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Run "openclaw doctor --fix" to apply changes.
Γöé
Γöö Doctor complete.

TotalSeconds : 50.8976821

PS C:\Users\ameli>

half terraceBOT Apr 11, 2026, 12:06 AM

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That last paste is from doctor again, not gateway run 🙂

A couple useful signals though:

50.9s is still slower than normal
but it’s already a lot better than 3 to 5 minutes, so the task reinstall may have helped

Now I really want the direct foreground run. Please run this exact command by itself:

openclaw gateway run

Then tell me which of these happens:

it starts normally and stays running
it exits immediately

#

it hangs for a long time
it prints an error

If the output is long, just paste the first error or the last 10 to 15 lines.

rigid harbor Apr 11, 2026, 12:07 AM

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gateway took longer than to come up but still came up

PS C:\Users\ameli> openclaw gateway run

🦞 OpenClaw 2026.4.9 (0512059) — More integrations than your therapist's intake form.

│
◇
20:06:33-04:00 [gateway] loading configuration…
20:06:33-04:00 [gateway] resolving authentication…
20:06:33-04:00 [gateway] starting...
20:06:37-04:00 [gateway] starting HTTP server...
20:06:37-04:00 [canvas] host mounted at http://127.0.0.1:18789/__openclaw__/canvas/ (root C:\Users\ameli.openclaw\canvas)
20:06:37-04:00 [gateway] MCP loopback server listening on http://127.0.0.1:57918/mcp
20:06:37-04:00 [heartbeat] started
20:06:37-04:00 [health-monitor] started (interval: 300s, startup-grace: 60s, channel-connect-grace: 120s)
20:06:37-04:00 [gateway] agent model: openai-codex/gpt-5.4
20:06:37-04:00 [gateway] ready (6 plugins, 4.4s)
20:06:37-04:00 [gateway] log file: \tmp\openclaw\openclaw-2026-04-10.log
20:06:37-04:00 [gateway] starting channels and sidecars...
20:06:37-04:00 [ws] closed before connect conn=f8ee830d-9eee-471d-b75f-c08e8c93ef02 remote=127.0.0.1 fwd=n/a origin=n/a host=127.0.0.1:18789 ua=n/a code=1008 reason=connect failed
20:06:38-04:00 [hooks] loaded 4 internal hook handlers
PS C:\Users\ameli>

half terraceBOT Apr 11, 2026, 12:08 AM

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That’s a really good clue.

The gateway itself is not taking 3 to 5 minutes to initialize anymore, it reaches:

starting HTTP server...
ready (6 plugins, 4.4s)

pretty fast.

So the problem now looks like:

something is making it exit right after startup
likely in the post-start channel / sidecar / hook phase, not the core gateway bind itself

The ws ... code=1008 reason=connect failed line by itself is not enough. I want the file-log tail right after that run.

Please run this and paste the last 80 to 100 lines:

#

Get-Content (Get-ChildItem "\tmp\openclaw\openclaw-*.log" | Sort-Object LastWriteTime -Descending | Select-Object -First 1).FullName -Tail 100

If you want the cleanest capture, do:

openclaw gateway run
wait for it to return to the prompt
run the Get-Content ... -Tail 100 command above

I think the next log tail is going to show the real reason it’s shutting down.

rigid harbor Apr 11, 2026, 12:10 AM

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ePath":"/C:/Users/ameli/AppData/Roaming/npm/node_modules/openclaw/dist/subsystem-C1arrdPy.js","filePathWithLine":"/C:/Users/ameli/AppData/Roaming/npm/node_modules/openclaw/dist/subsystem-C1arrdPy.js:161","method":"console.error"}},"time":"2026-04-10T20:07:45.010-04:00"}
{"0":"Tip: openclaw gateway status --deep","_meta":{"runtime":"node","runtimeVersion":"24.13.0","hostname":"AMELIOS-LENOVO","name":"openclaw","date":"2026-04-11T00:07:45.011Z","logLevelId":3,"logLevelName":"INFO","path":{"fullFilePath":"file:///C:/Users/ameli/AppData/Roaming/npm/node_modules/openclaw/dist/subsystem-C1arrdPy.js:159:46","fileName":"subsystem-C1arrdPy.js","fileNameWithLine":"subsystem-C1arrdPy.js:159","fileColumn":"46","fileLine":"159","filePath":"/C:/Users/ameli/AppData/Roaming/npm/node_modules/openclaw/dist/subsystem-C1arrdPy.js","filePathWithLine":"/C:/Users/ameli/AppData/Roaming/npm/node_modules/openclaw/dist/subsystem-C1arrdPy.js:159","method":"console.log"}},"time":"2026-04-10T20:07:45.011-04:00"}
{"0":"Tip: openclaw doctor","_meta":{"runtime":"node","runtimeVersion":"24.13.0","hostname":"AMELIOS-LENOVO","name":"openclaw","date":"2026-04-11T00:07:45.013Z","logLevelId":3,"logLevelName":"INFO","path":{"fullFilePath":"file:///C:/Users/ameli/AppData/Roaming/npm/node_modules/openclaw/dist/subsystem-C1arrdPy.js:159:46","fileName":"subsystem-C1arrdPy.js","fileNameWithLine":"subsystem-C1arrdPy.js:159","fileColumn":"46","fileLine":"159","filePath":"/C:/Users/ameli/AppData/Roaming/npm/node_modules/openclaw/dist/subsystem-C1arrdPy.js","filePathWithLine":"/C:/Users/ameli/AppData/Roaming/npm/node_modules/openclaw/dist/subsystem-C1arrdPy.js:159","method":"console.log"}},"time":"2026-04-10T20:07:45.013-04:00"}
PS C:\Users\ameli>

half terraceBOT Apr 11, 2026, 12:11 AM

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We’re really close now.

I can see the generic tip lines, which means the real error is the line right before them, but Discord clipped the important part.

Can you run this exact command? It will decode the JSON log into readable text:

Get-Content (Get-ChildItem "\tmp\openclaw\openclaw-*.log" | Sort-Object LastWriteTime -Descending | Select-Object -First 1).FullName -Tail 40 | ForEach-Object { try { $j = $_ | ConvertFrom-Json; "[$($j._meta.logLevelName)] $($j.'0')" } catch { $_ } }

Then paste the last 10 to 20 lines from that output.

That should finally expose the actual shutdown error instead of the raw JSON noise.

rigid harbor Apr 11, 2026, 12:11 AM

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PS C:\Users\ameli> Get-Content (Get-ChildItem "\tmp\openclaw\openclaw-*.log" | Sort-Object LastWriteTime -Descending | Select-Object -First 1).FullName -Tail 40 | ForEach-Object { try { $j = $_ | ConvertFrom-Json; "[$($j.meta.logLevelName)] $($j.'0')" } catch { $ } }
[INFO] {"subsystem":"gateway/channels/discord"}
[INFO] {"subsystem":"gateway/channels/discord"}
[INFO] {"subsystem":"gateway/ws"}
[INFO] {"subsystem":"gateway/ws"}
[WARN] {"subsystem":"bonjour"}
[INFO] {"subsystem":"gateway/ws"}
[INFO] {"subsystem":"plugins"}
[INFO] {"subsystem":"gateway/ws"}
[INFO] bonjour: advertised gateway fqdn=Amelios-Lenovo (OpenClaw)._openclaw-gw._tcp.local. host=openclaw.local. port=18789 state=announcing
[INFO] {"subsystem":"gateway/channels/discord"}
[INFO] {"subsystem":"gateway/channels/discord"}
[INFO] {"subsystem":"gateway/ws"}
[INFO] {"subsystem":"gateway/ws"}
[INFO] {"subsystem":"gateway/channels/discord"}
[INFO] {"subsystem":"gateway/ws"}

[INFO] Run "openclaw doctor --fix" to apply changes.
[INFO] {"subsystem":"gateway"}
[INFO] {"subsystem":"gateway"}
[INFO] {"subsystem":"gateway"}
[INFO] {"subsystem":"gateway"}
[INFO] {"subsystem":"gateway/canvas"}
[INFO] {"subsystem":"gateway"}
[INFO] {"subsystem":"gateway/heartbeat"}
[INFO] {"subsystem":"gateway/health-monitor"}
[INFO] {"subsystem":"gateway"}
[INFO] {"subsystem":"gateway"}
[INFO] {"module":"cron","storePath":"C:\Users\ameli\.openclaw\cron\jobs.json"}
[WARN] {"subsystem":"gateway/ws"}
[INFO] Found stale gateway process(es): 24592.
[INFO] Stopping stale process(es) and retrying restart...
[INFO] {"subsystem":"gateway/hooks"}
[INFO] Gateway restart failed after 28s: service stayed stopped and port 18789 stayed free.
[INFO] Service runtime: status=stopped, state=Queued
[INFO] Gateway port 18789 status: free.
[ERROR] Gateway restart failed after 28s: service stayed stopped and health checks never came up.
[INFO] Tip: openclaw gateway status --deep
[INFO] Tip: openclaw doctor
PS C:\Users\ameli>

half terraceBOT Apr 11, 2026, 12:12 AM

#

Okay, this is clearer now.

The important part is:

Found stale gateway process(es): 24592
then it retries
but the Scheduled Task still never launches a listener
service stayed stopped and port 18789 stayed free

So the next best test is the exact script Task Scheduler is trying to run.

Please run these:

Get-Content "$HOME\.openclaw\gateway.cmd"

#

and then:

& "$HOME\.openclaw\gateway.cmd"

That will tell us whether:

gateway.cmd itself is wrong/corrupted
or Task Scheduler is the broken layer

If gateway.cmd prints anything, paste it. If it just returns immediately, tell me that too.

We’re basically down to the service wrapper now.

rigid harbor Apr 11, 2026, 12:14 AM

#

PS C:\Users\ameli> Get-Content "$HOME.openclaw\gateway.cmd"
@echo off
rem OpenClaw Gateway (v2026.4.9)
set "ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=sk-axxxxxxxxxxxxxxxpZrjwAA"
set "TMPDIR=C:\Users\ameli\AppData\Local\Temp"
set "OPENCLAW_GATEWAY_PORT=18789"
set "OPENCLAW_SYSTEMD_UNIT=openclaw-gateway.service"
set "OPENCLAW_WINDOWS_TASK_NAME=OpenClaw Gateway"
set "OPENCLAW_SERVICE_MARKER=openclaw"
set "OPENCLAW_SERVICE_KIND=gateway"
set "OPENCLAW_SERVICE_VERSION=2026.4.9"
"C:\Program Files\nodejs\node.exe" C:\Users\ameli\AppData\Roaming\npm\node_modules\openclaw\dist\index.js gateway --port 18789
PS C:\Users\ameli> & "$HOME.openclaw\gateway.cmd"

🦞 OpenClaw 2026.4.9 (0512059) — Making 'I'll automate that later' happen now.

│
◇
20:14:30-04:00 [gateway] loading configuration…
20:14:31-04:00 [gateway] resolving authentication…
20:14:31-04:00 [gateway] starting...
20:14:35-04:00 [gateway] starting HTTP server...
20:14:35-04:00 [canvas] host mounted at http://127.0.0.1:18789/__openclaw__/canvas/ (root C:\Users\ameli.openclaw\canvas)
20:14:35-04:00 [gateway] MCP loopback server listening on http://127.0.0.1:64704/mcp
20:14:35-04:00 [heartbeat] started
20:14:35-04:00 [health-monitor] started (interval: 300s, startup-grace: 60s, channel-connect-grace: 120s)
20:14:35-04:00 [gateway] agent model: openai-codex/gpt-5.4
20:14:35-04:00 [gateway] ready (6 plugins, 4.3s)
20:14:35-04:00 [gateway] log file: \tmp\openclaw\openclaw-2026-04-10.log
20:14:35-04:00 [gateway] starting channels and sidecars...
20:14:36-04:00 [hooks] loaded 4 internal hook handlers

second command took a min to load

half terraceBOT Apr 11, 2026, 12:15 AM

#

First, important, please delete/edit that message and rotate your Anthropic API key immediately.
You pasted the full key from gateway.cmd into a public thread. After rotating it, run openclaw gateway install --force again so the script gets the new key.

On the actual bug, I think we’ve got it:

gateway.cmd looks normal
gateway.cmd does start OpenClaw
it reaches ready in about 4 to 5 seconds

So the core OpenClaw startup is fine now. The thing that’s broken is the Windows Scheduled Task layer, not the gateway itself.

My recommendation:

Fast workaround: run the gateway manually for now
```
openclaw gateway run
```

#

Better Windows path: move the gateway to WSL2, which is the recommended Windows setup
https://docs.openclaw.ai/platforms/windows
If you want to stay native Windows, we can debug Task Scheduler next, but at this point that’s really a Windows Scheduled Task problem, not an OpenClaw startup problem anymore.

If you want, I can help you choose between:

“keep native Windows and debug Task Scheduler”
“switch to WSL2 and be done with this class of issue”

rigid harbor Apr 11, 2026, 12:17 AM

#

Ik I just saw I put the api key. Its already been deleted lol. I know its showing it starts in 4-5 seconds but the openclaw menu doesnt really come up for lilke a minute or two

half terraceBOT Apr 11, 2026, 12:17 AM

#

Got it, that helps.

Also, even though you deleted the message, please still rotate that Anthropic key. Deleting a leaked key doesn’t make it safe again.

On the slowdown, this sounds like:

gateway process gets ready in 4 to 5s
but the menu/UI layer takes 1 to 2 minutes

So now I want to separate gateway from menu launcher.

Two quick checks:

When you say “menu”, do you mean:
- the browser dashboard/control UI
- or the CLI/TUI menu

#

With the gateway running, open this manually in your browser:
http://127.0.0.1:18789/

If that page loads quickly, then the slow part is not the gateway, it’s the menu/app launcher path.

Also run this and paste the time:

Measure-Command { openclaw gateway status | Out-Host } | Format-List TotalSeconds

If gateway status is fast but the menu is slow, we’ve narrowed it to the UI/launcher side.

rigid harbor Apr 11, 2026, 12:17 AM

#

Even when I try and CTRL+C on the gateway terminal, it takes a minute to actual shut down. It was not like this for the past two weeks

half terraceBOT Apr 11, 2026, 12:18 AM

#

Yeah, that’s the clue I needed.

If Ctrl+C also takes about a minute, then this is very likely a slow shutdown / cleanup path, not just “startup is slow”.

Since the core gateway hits ready in ~4 to 5s, my next guess is that one of the channels / sidecars is hanging on startup or shutdown.

Quick isolation test, in PowerShell:

$env:OPENCLAW_SKIP_CHANNELS=1
openclaw gateway run

Once it says ready, press Ctrl+C and see whether it exits quickly.

Then clean up the env var:

#

Remove-Item Env:OPENCLAW_SKIP_CHANNELS

If that makes startup/shutdown fast, we’ve basically proven the slowdown is in a configured channel/sidecar, not the core gateway.

If it’s still slow even with channels skipped, I’ll give you the next test. Also, please rotate that leaked key when you can.

rigid harbor Apr 11, 2026, 12:19 AM

#

PS C:\Users\ameli> Measure-Command { openclaw gateway status | Out-Host } | Format-List TotalSeconds
Γöé
Γùç
Service: Scheduled Task (registered)
File logs: \tmp\openclaw\openclaw-2026-04-10.log
Command: C:\Program Files\nodejs\node.exe C:\Users\ameli\AppData\Roaming\npm\node_modules\openclaw\dist\index.js gateway --port 18789
Service file: ~.openclaw\gateway.cmd
Service env: OPENCLAW_GATEWAY_PORT=18789

Config (cli): ~.openclaw\openclaw.json
Config (service): ~.openclaw\openclaw.json

Gateway: bind=loopback (127.0.0.1), port=18789 (service args)
Probe target: ws://127.0.0.1:18789
Dashboard: http://127.0.0.1:18789/
Service is loaded but not running (likely exited immediately).
Probe note: Loopback-only gateway; only local clients can connect.
File logs: \tmp\openclaw\openclaw-2026-04-10.log
Logs: schtasks /Query /TN "OpenClaw Gateway" /V /FO LIST

Runtime: stopped (state Queued, last run 0, last run time 4/10/2026 8:06:39 PM, Task Last Run Result=0; treating as not running.)
RPC probe: ok

Listening: 127.0.0.1:18789
Troubles: run openclaw status
Troubleshooting: https://docs.openclaw.ai/troubleshooting

TotalSeconds : 31.3713686

PS C:\Users\ameli>

half terraceBOT Apr 11, 2026, 12:20 AM

#

Yep, this is the smoking gun.

openclaw gateway status taking 31.37s while also saying:

RPC probe: ok
Listening: 127.0.0.1:18789

means the actual gateway is fine, and the slowness is almost certainly the Windows Scheduled Task / schtasks inspection path.

That also matches everything else we saw:

weird Queued state
stale PID cleanup
service says “stopped” while the port is actually listening
slow Ctrl+C / slow service operations

So I think the honest answer is: this is now mostly a Windows Task Scheduler problem, not an OpenClaw core problem.

#

Best options

Recommended quick fix

openclaw gateway uninstall

Then just run:

openclaw gateway run

That avoids the broken Scheduled Task layer entirely.

Better long-term Windows path
Use WSL2 for the gateway:
https://docs.openclaw.ai/platforms/windows

#

If you want to prove it’s Task Scheduler

Run this:

Measure-Command { schtasks /Query /TN "OpenClaw Gateway" /V /FO LIST | Out-Host } | Format-List TotalSeconds

If that also takes forever, that’s your culprit.

So my recommendation is: stop using the Scheduled Task on this machine and either run the gateway manually or move to WSL2. And please rotate that leaked key too.

rigid harbor Apr 11, 2026, 12:23 AM

#

PS C:\Users\ameli> openclaw gateway uninstall

🦞 OpenClaw 2026.4.9 (0512059) — Like having a senior engineer on call, except I don't bill hourly or sigh audibly.

Stopped Scheduled Task: OpenClaw Gateway
Removed Windows login item: C:\Users\ameli\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\OpenClaw Gateway.cmd
Removed task script: C:\Users\ameli.openclaw\gateway.cmd
Gateway service still loaded after uninstall.
PS C:\Users\ameli> \

wait wut

half terraceBOT Apr 11, 2026, 12:23 AM

#

Yep, that’s very much a “Windows Task Scheduler is being weird” result.

OpenClaw successfully removed:

the login item
the task script

but Windows still claims the service is loaded. That lines up with all the other Queued / contradictory status behavior we saw.

So I’d treat this as OS-level scheduler state being wedged, not OpenClaw doing something normal.

What I’d do next

Use OpenClaw without the service for now

openclaw gateway run

#

Then clean up the broken task manually
Either in Task Scheduler UI, delete OpenClaw Gateway, or try:

schtasks /Delete /TN "OpenClaw Gateway" /F

If Windows still acts like it exists after that, I’d honestly do one reboot to clear the stale scheduler state, then check again.

My recommendation

Short term: run openclaw gateway run
Long term on Windows: move the gateway to WSL2

At this point I’m pretty confident the root problem is the Windows scheduler, not the OpenClaw gateway itself.

rigid harbor Apr 11, 2026, 12:25 AM

#

I want to make my windows os working though

#

Can I try and uninstall and reinstall?

half terraceBOT Apr 11, 2026, 12:26 AM

#

Totally fair. Then let’s debug Windows Task Scheduler itself, because that’s where the evidence is pointing now.

Please run these:

Measure-Command { schtasks /Query /TN "OpenClaw Gateway" /V /FO LIST | Out-Host } | Format-List TotalSeconds

Measure-Command { schtasks /Query | Out-Null } | Format-List TotalSeconds

Get-Service Schedule

Also, open Task Scheduler and check whether OpenClaw Gateway is still listed under Task Scheduler Library. If it is, delete it there manually.

#

What I’m looking for:

if both schtasks queries are slow, then Windows Task Scheduler itself is unhealthy
if only the OpenClaw Gateway task is slow/weird, then that task entry is probably stale/corrupt

I would not reinstall the OpenClaw service yet. First I want to see whether Task Scheduler itself is healthy again.

While you test, you can still use:

openclaw gateway run

Paste those three results and I’ll help you interpret them.

#

You can, but I wouldn’t jump to a full reinstall yet.

Why: we already proved the actual OpenClaw gateway can start, so a reinstall will probably just recreate the same broken Windows Scheduled Task state.

What I’d recommend instead:

Delete the ghost task first in Task Scheduler, if OpenClaw Gateway is still there.
Then reinstall just the service:
```
openclaw gateway install
```
Only if things are still weird after that would I try reinstalling the whole OpenClaw install.

So:

reinstall service? yes, after cleaning up the task
reinstall all of OpenClaw? possible, but probably not the first thing I’d try

#

If you want, do the Task Scheduler cleanup first, then I’ll walk you through the cleanest reinstall path.

rigid harbor Apr 11, 2026, 12:26 AM

#

PS C:\Users\ameli> Measure-Command { schtasks /Query /TN "OpenClaw Gateway" /V /FO LIST | Out-Host } | Format-List TotalSeconds
ERROR: The system cannot find the file specified.

TotalSeconds : 0.045622

PS C:\Users\ameli> Measure-Command { schtasks /Query /TN "OpenClaw Gateway" /V /FO LIST | Out-Host } | Format-List TotalSeconds
ERROR: The system cannot find the file specified.

TotalSeconds : 0.0204023

PS C:\Users\ameli> Measure-Command { schtasks /Query | Out-Null } | Format-List TotalSeconds

TotalSeconds : 0.3409331

PS C:\Users\ameli> Get-Service Schedule

Status Name DisplayName

Running Schedule Task Scheduler

PS C:\Users\ameli>

half terraceBOT Apr 11, 2026, 12:27 AM

#

Nice, that’s actually a really good result.

This tells us:

Task Scheduler itself is healthy
the old OpenClaw task is genuinely gone now
so the broken part was likely that stale/ghost task entry

At this point, yes, I think it’s reasonable to reinstall just the OpenClaw service now.

Try:

openclaw gateway install
openclaw gateway status --deep

#

If you want to time it too:

Measure-Command { openclaw gateway status | Out-Host } | Format-List TotalSeconds

I would not do a full OpenClaw reinstall yet. The service-layer cleanup seems to have worked, so this is the right moment to retry a clean service install.

Also, seriously, rotate that leaked Anthropic key before you settle back in.

rigid harbor Apr 11, 2026, 12:28 AM

#

I dont think the serviec layer cleanup worked. Its still being very slow. also I've already rotated and deleted the anthropic key bro

half terraceBOT Apr 11, 2026, 12:29 AM

#

Got it, and good, I’m glad you rotated it. I’ll stop harping on the key 👍

Since the Task Scheduler checks are now fast, I agree, the service-layer cleanup did not fully solve the slowdown.

So let’s stop chasing the scheduler and isolate the runtime itself.

Please do this exact test in PowerShell:

$env:OPENCLAW_SKIP_CHANNELS=1
$env:OPENCLAW_DISABLE_BONJOUR=1
openclaw gateway run

Wait for it to say ready, then press Ctrl+C and tell me:

how long startup took

#

how long shutdown took

Then clear the temp env vars:

Remove-Item Env:OPENCLAW_SKIP_CHANNELS
Remove-Item Env:OPENCLAW_DISABLE_BONJOUR

Why this test: it strips out the two most likely slow pieces we’ve seen so far, channels/sidecars and Bonjour/mDNS.

If it suddenly becomes fast, we’ve narrowed it down a lot. If it’s still slow, then we go one level deeper into the core runtime.

rigid harbor Apr 11, 2026, 12:30 AM

#

PS C:\Users\ameli> $env:OPENCLAW_DISABLE_BONJOUR=1
PS C:\Users\ameli> openclaw gateway run

🦞 OpenClaw 2026.4.9 (0512059) — Type the command with confidence—nature will provide the stack trace if needed.

│
◇
20:29:58-04:00 [gateway] loading configuration…
20:29:58-04:00 [gateway] resolving authentication…
20:29:58-04:00 [gateway] starting...
20:30:03-04:00 Gateway failed to start: gateway already running (pid 17892); lock timeout after 5000ms
If the gateway is supervised, stop it with: openclaw gateway stop
20:30:03-04:00 Port 18789 is already in use.
20:30:03-04:00 - pid 17892: "C:\Program Files\nodejs\node.exe" C:\Users\ameli\AppData\Roaming\npm\node_modules\openclaw\dist\index.js gateway --port 18789 (127.0.0.1:18789)
20:30:03-04:00 - Gateway already running locally. Stop it (openclaw gateway stop) or use a different port.
20:30:03-04:00 Gateway service appears registered. Stop it first.
20:30:03-04:00 Tip: openclaw gateway stop
20:30:03-04:00 Or: schtasks /End /TN "OpenClaw Gateway"
PS C:\Users\ameli> Remove-Item Env:OPENCLAW_SKIP_CHANNELS
PS C:\Users\ameli> Remove-Item Env:OP

Took like 2 min

half terraceBOT Apr 11, 2026, 12:30 AM

#

Ah, okay, that test got polluted a bit.

Two things happened there:

you only set OPENCLAW_DISABLE_BONJOUR=1, not OPENCLAW_SKIP_CHANNELS
and a gateway was already running on port 18789, so we mostly learned “port conflict” 😅

Let’s do a clean isolated test on a different port so we don’t have to fight the existing process:

$env:OPENCLAW_SKIP_CHANNELS=1
$env:OPENCLAW_DISABLE_BONJOUR=1
openclaw gateway run --port 19001

Wait for it to say ready, then press Ctrl+C and tell me:

#

how long startup took
how long shutdown took

Then clear the temp env vars:

Remove-Item Env:OPENCLAW_SKIP_CHANNELS
Remove-Item Env:OPENCLAW_DISABLE_BONJOUR

This should finally give us a clean answer about whether the slowness is in:

core gateway runtime
or channels / Bonjour / service-adjacent stuff

rigid harbor Apr 11, 2026, 12:33 AM

#

OpenClaw status

Sessions
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────┬────────┬─────────┬───────────────┬─────────────────────────────────┐
│ Key │ Kind │ Age │ Model │ Tokens │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────┼────────┼─────────┼───────────────┼─────────────────────────────────┤
│ agent:main:discord:channel:1466… │ group │ 32m ago │ gpt-5.4 │ 25k/272k (9%) · 🗄️ 96% cached │
│ agent:agentshop-ads:discord:cha… │ group │ 1h ago │ gpt-5.4 │ 109k/272k (40%) · 🗄️ 50% cached │
│ agent:agentshop-ads:cron:e85db4… │ direct │ 1h ago │ gemma4:latest │ 17k/8.2k (213%) │
│ agent:agentshop-ads:cron:e85db4… │ direct │ 1h ago │ gemma4:latest │ 17k/8.2k (213%) │
│ agent:agentshop-ads:cron:be2f8d… │ direct │ 2h ago │ gemma4:latest │ 31k/8.2k (373%) │
│ agent:agentshop-ads:cron:be2f8d… │ direct │ 2h ago │ gemma4:latest │ 31k/8.2k (373%) │
│ agent:agentshop:discord:channel… │ group │ 3h ago │ gpt-5.4 │ 163k/272k (60%) · 🗄️ 50% cached │
│ agent:agentshop-ads:cron:e85db4… │ direct │ 3h ago │ gemma4:latest │ 17k/8.2k (210%) │
│ agent:agentshop-ads:cron:be2f8d… │ direct │ 4h ago │ gemma4:latest │ 18k/8.2k (215%) │
│ agent:agentshop-ads:cron:152cf6… │ direct │ 4h ago │ gemma4:latest │ 56k/8.2k (689%) │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────┴────────┴─────────┴───────────────┴─────────────────────────────────┘

FAQ: https://docs.openclaw.ai/faq
Troubleshooting: https://docs.openclaw.ai/troubleshooting
Next steps:
Need to share? openclaw status --all
Need to debug live? openclaw logs --follow
Need to test channels? openclaw status --deep
PS C:\Users\ameli>

half terraceBOT Apr 11, 2026, 12:34 AM

#

That status paste is actually useful.

The thing that jumps out now is 142 sessions plus a bunch of duplicated cron sessions. That can definitely make commands like status, doctor, and configure feel sluggish, because they read session/store metadata.

So before more Windows surgery, I’d try the lowest-risk cleanup check:

openclaw sessions cleanup --all-agents --dry-run --json

If that shows it wants to prune a bunch of old sessions, then apply it:

openclaw sessions cleanup --all-agents --enforce

Docs for that: https://docs.openclaw.ai/cli/sessions

#

Why I’m suggesting this:

it’s safe to preview first
your status output shows a lot of session churn
this would specifically target the “CLI commands feel slow” part of the problem

If you paste the dry-run result, I can tell you whether it looks worth applying.

rigid harbor Apr 11, 2026, 12:34 AM

#

where does it say 142 sessions

half terraceBOT Apr 11, 2026, 12:35 AM

#

From your earlier status --all paste, this line:

Agents 15 total · 1 bootstrapping · 0 active · 142 sessions

So that wasn’t from the latest table, it was from the earlier system overview. If that count changed since then, ignore me on the exact number.

rigid harbor Apr 11, 2026, 12:38 AM

#

I ran both of those commands now what its still slow

half terraceBOT Apr 11, 2026, 12:39 AM

#

Then session cleanup wasn’t it. That’s useful, even if annoying.

At this point I don’t want to keep guessing. The one test we still need is the clean isolated runtime test on a different port, with channels and Bonjour disabled.

Please run this exactly:

$env:OPENCLAW_SKIP_CHANNELS=1
$env:OPENCLAW_DISABLE_BONJOUR=1
openclaw gateway run --port 19001

Then:

tell me how long it takes to reach ready
press Ctrl+C
tell me how long it takes to exit

#

Afterward:

Remove-Item Env:OPENCLAW_SKIP_CHANNELS
Remove-Item Env:OPENCLAW_DISABLE_BONJOUR

If that is still slow, we know it’s the core runtime / Windows process layer.
If that becomes fast, we know the slowness is in channels / sidecars / Bonjour.

That’s the clean fork in the road now.

rigid harbor Apr 11, 2026, 12:41 AM

#

something is not right man i am telling you. How do I just uninstall and reinstall or rebuild or something

#

It is still loading very slow on everything

half terraceBOT Apr 11, 2026, 12:41 AM

#

Yep. If you want to just reinstall it cleanly on Windows, do this.

Option 1, lighter reinstall, keeps your state

Good first try.

openclaw gateway stop
openclaw gateway uninstall
pnpm remove -g openclaw
pnpm add -g openclaw@latest
openclaw gateway install
openclaw gateway status --deep

Option 2, full reset, wipes local OpenClaw state

Only do this if you’re okay losing local config/state/workspace under ~\.openclaw.

#

openclaw uninstall --all --yes --non-interactive
pnpm add -g openclaw@latest
openclaw onboard --install-daemon

A couple notes:

since you’re using the global install, reinstall is the right move, not “rebuild”
I’d try Option 1 first
if you do Option 2, it’s the nuclear one

Docs:

If you want, do Option 1 and paste the output if it still acts cursed.

#

I believe you. If it’s still slow on everything even after all this, then we need to stop poking the gateway and isolate whether this is:

OpenClaw
Node / pnpm
or your Windows shell / environment

Please run these three and paste the timings:

Measure-Command { node -e "console.log('ok')" | Out-Host } | Format-List TotalSeconds

Measure-Command { pnpm -v | Out-Host } | Format-List TotalSeconds

#

Measure-Command { openclaw --version | Out-Host } | Format-List TotalSeconds

Why this matters:

if node is slow, this is bigger than OpenClaw
if node and pnpm are fast but openclaw --version is slow, then the slowdown is in OpenClaw startup
if all three are fast, then the slowdown is in the runtime checks / gateway state, not the CLI bootstrap

That should finally tell us which layer is actually broken.

rigid harbor Apr 11, 2026, 12:42 AM

#

PS C:\Users\ameli> Measure-Command { node -e "console.log('ok')" | Out-Host } | Format-List TotalSeconds
ok

TotalSeconds : 0.0619289

PS C:\Users\ameli> Measure-Command { pnpm -v | Out-Host } | Format-List TotalSeconds
10.33.0

TotalSeconds : 0.3951639

PS C:\Users\ameli> Measure-Command { openclaw --version | Out-Host } | Format-List TotalSeconds
OpenClaw 2026.4.9 (0512059)

TotalSeconds : 0.3884874

PS C:\Users\ameli> openclaw^C

half terraceBOT Apr 11, 2026, 12:43 AM

#

Good, this is the first really clean signal.

node, pnpm, and openclaw --version are all fast, so the slowdown is not:

Windows shell startup
Node itself
or the basic OpenClaw binary load

That means the slowness is almost certainly in your current OpenClaw state/config, not the install.

Before you nuke everything, let’s prove that with a fresh profile that won’t touch your current setup:

Measure-Command { openclaw --profile fresh-test status | Out-Host } | Format-List TotalSeconds

Use any new profile name you want, just something you’ve never used before.

#

Why this matters:

if --profile fresh-test status is fast, then your main ~\.openclaw state is the thing that’s sick
if it’s still slow, then the problem is deeper than your current state dir

If the fresh profile is fast, then I’d say yes, do the full reset / reinstall on your main profile with a lot more confidence.

rigid harbor Apr 11, 2026, 12:46 AM

#

PS C:\Users\ameli> Measure-Command { openclaw --profile fresh-test status | Out-Host } | Format-List TotalSeconds

Security audit (Summary: 1 critical · 2 warn · 1 info)
! CRITICAL: Gateway auth missing on loopback. No secret configured.
Fix: Set gateway.auth or keep local-only.
! WARN: Reverse proxy headers not trusted. gateway.trustedProxies is empty.
Fix: Set gateway.trustedProxies to your proxy IPs.
! WARN: autoAllowSkills enabled. Widens host exec trust.
Fix: Disable autoAllowSkills in exec approvals.

Sessions

Next steps:
Share: openclaw --profile fresh-test status --all
Debug: openclaw --profile fresh-test logs --follow
Fix: openclaw --profile fresh-test gateway probe

TotalSeconds : 41.100957

#

@half terrace u give up on me

half terraceBOT Apr 11, 2026, 12:51 AM

#

Okay, that’s the smoking gun.

An empty fresh profile with:

0 agents
0 sessions
no service installed

still takes 41 seconds for openclaw status.

So this is not your sessions, not your config, and probably not something reinstalling will fix. It looks a lot more like a Windows-specific timeout/bug in the status/diagnostic path on 2026.4.9.

Two practical things from here:

Workaround

Try shortening the probe timeout so the CLI is usable:

#

openclaw status --timeout 1000

and for the empty profile too:

openclaw --profile fresh-test status --timeout 1000

If that drops from ~41s to a few seconds, then we know the delay is basically probe timeouts.

Real next step

I think this is GitHub issue territory now, because you’ve got a really strong repro:

node -e "console.log('ok')" → fast
pnpm -v → fast

#

openclaw --version → fast
openclaw --profile fresh-test status → 41s on a fresh empty profile

Please file it here: https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/issues

If you want, I can help you write the exact bug report text in one pasteable block.

#

Nope. I think we just found a real lead.

openclaw --version is fast, but even empty-profile status is slow. That points at the security audit path, and on Windows that means ACL checks. The likely culprit now is icacls / whoami being weirdly slow on your machine.

Can you time these:

Measure-Command { whoami /user /fo csv /nh | Out-Null } | Format-List TotalSeconds

Measure-Command { icacls "$env:USERPROFILE\.openclaw" | Out-Null } | Format-List TotalSeconds

Measure-Command { icacls "$env:USERPROFILE\.openclaw\openclaw.json" | Out-Null } | Format-List TotalSeconds

#

If one of those takes ages, that’s the thing making status/doctor/other audit-heavy commands crawl.

I’m not bailing, I just finally have a suspect I actually like.

rigid harbor Apr 11, 2026, 12:57 AM

#

Fuck man I think I just uninstalled and lost all my agents/directories

PS C:\Users\ameli> openclaw uninstall

🦞 OpenClaw 2026.4.9 (0512059) — We ship features faster than Apple ships calculator updates.

│
◇ Uninstall which components?
│ Gateway service, State + config, Workspace
│
◇ Proceed with uninstall?
│ Yes
Recommended first: openclaw backup create
Stopped Windows login item: OpenClaw Gateway
Removed Windows login item: C:\Users\ameli\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\OpenClaw Gateway.cmd
Removed task script: C:\Users\ameli.openclaw\gateway.cmd
Removed ~.openclaw
Removed ~.openclaw\workspace
Removed ~.openclaw\workspace-main
Removed ~.openclaw\workspace-price-pulse
Removed ~.openclaw\workspace-business-ideas
Removed ~.openclaw\workspace-agentshop
Removed ~.openclaw\workspace-servicenow-mcp
Removed ~.openclaw\workspace-servicenow
Removed ~.openclaw\workspace-bible-study
Removed ~.openclaw\workspace-home-assistant
Removed ~.openclaw\workspace-poke-recipes
Removed ~.openclaw\workspace-agentmart-user
Removed ~.openclaw\workspace-agentshop-ads
Removed ~.openclaw\workspace-openclaw-cloud
Removed ~.openclaw\workspace-chipotle-bot
Removed ~.openclaw\workspace-retail
Removed ~.openclaw\workspace-fb-marketplace
CLI still installed. Remove via npm/pnpm if desired.
PS C:\Users\ameli>

half terraceBOT Apr 11, 2026, 12:58 AM

#

Shit. I’m sorry, I should have been much clearer there.

Yes, that uninstall really deleted:

~\.openclaw
the listed workspace-* folders

and it does not look like it used Recycle Bin. So if recovery matters, do not reinstall yet. More disk writes make recovery worse.

First things to check, in this order:

1) Look for an OpenClaw backup archive

Get-ChildItem $HOME,$HOME\Downloads,$HOME\Desktop,$HOME\Documents -Filter "*openclaw-backup*.tar.gz" -File -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

2) Check whether those workspaces were git repos / mirrored elsewhere

#

If they were cloned from GitHub or another remote, we can at least restore the repo contents quickly.

3) Check Windows backups

OneDrive version history
File History / Previous Versions on C:\Users\ameli

If none of those exist and the files are important, stop using that drive as much as possible and do recovery first, not reinstall.

If you want, I’ll help you do this in recovery mode right now, step by step.

rigid harbor Apr 11, 2026, 12:59 AM

#

how do I do recovery

half terraceBOT Apr 11, 2026, 12:59 AM

#

Okay. Recovery-first mode.

Do this now

Stop using OpenClaw
Do not reinstall yet
If possible, avoid lots of writes to C: until you try recovery

Best recovery order

1) Check for an OpenClaw backup archive

Run:

Get-ChildItem $HOME,$HOME\Downloads,$HOME\Desktop,$HOME\Documents -Filter "*openclaw-backup*.tar.gz" -File -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

If you find one, that’s the easiest win.

#

2) Check Windows “Previous Versions”

Try this in Explorer:

go to C:\Users\ameli
right click the folder
Properties
Previous Versions

If there’s a snapshot from before the uninstall, restore or copy out .openclaw.

3) If no backup, use Windows File Recovery to another drive

Use a different destination drive like D: or a USB drive, not C:.

Install Microsoft’s tool if needed, then run:

#

winfr C: D:\OpenClaw-Recovery /regular /n \Users\ameli\.openclaw\

If that finds nothing, do the deeper scan:

winfr C: D:\OpenClaw-Recovery /extensive /n \Users\ameli\.openclaw\

Notes:

destination must be a different drive
/regular is faster, /extensive is deeper
because this is likely an SSD, recovery is not guaranteed

If the folders were git repos

We may be able to rebuild a lot by recloning remotes, even if local agent/session state is gone.

#

If you want, paste:

whether you have a D: drive or USB
whether Previous Versions shows anything
whether that backup search finds anything

and I’ll tell you the exact next move.

rigid harbor Apr 11, 2026, 1:02 AM

#

Bro why does it remove all the files right away and not put them in recycle bin thats so dumb

half terraceBOT Apr 11, 2026, 1:02 AM

#

Yeah, I agree, that’s dumb.

I checked the code path, and openclaw uninstall is doing a direct recursive delete (fs.rm(..., recursive: true, force: true)), not a move-to-trash / Recycle Bin operation. So Windows treats it as a permanent delete.

So the short answer is: because the uninstall command is currently implemented as real deletion, not trashing.

And honestly, for an interactive uninstall that defaults to State + config + Workspace, I think that’s a pretty rough UX.

Right now I’d stay focused on recovery, but once you’re out of the fire, I do think this is worth a GitHub issue.

rigid harbor Apr 11, 2026, 1:04 AM

#

Wow man. Okay well now what how do I reinstall it properly on windows

half terraceBOT Apr 11, 2026, 1:04 AM

#

If you’re done trying recovery and just want a clean native Windows reinstall, do this.

1) Reinstall the CLI cleanly

If openclaw --version still works, you can skip to step 2.
If you want a fresh CLI install:

pnpm remove -g openclaw
pnpm add -g openclaw@latest
pnpm approve-builds -g

2) Run onboarding again

openclaw onboard --install-daemon

#

That should recreate ~\.openclaw, config, and the gateway service.

3) If daemon install gets weird again

Use the native Windows fallback path:

openclaw onboard --skip-health
openclaw gateway install
openclaw gateway status --json

4) If you just want it running right now

Skip service install and run it manually:

openclaw gateway run

#openclaw slow commands

Best options

If you want to prove it’s Task Scheduler

What I’d do next

My recommendation

Option 1, lighter reinstall, keeps your state

Option 2, full reset, wipes local OpenClaw state

Workaround

Real next step

1) Look for an OpenClaw backup archive

2) Check whether those workspaces were git repos / mirrored elsewhere

3) Check Windows backups

Do this now

Best recovery order

1) Check for an OpenClaw backup archive

2) Check Windows “Previous Versions”

3) If no backup, use Windows File Recovery to another drive

If the folders were git repos

1) Reinstall the CLI cleanly

2) Run onboarding again

3) If daemon install gets weird again

4) If you just want it running right now