OpenClaw Agent Runtime

Source: OpenClaw docs Topic: OpenClaw’s runtime, workspace, injected files, and session storage.

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1. Single embedded runtime

OpenClaw documents itself as running a single embedded agent runtime with OpenClaw-owned session, discovery, tool, and delivery layers around the core.

2. Workspace as operating substrate

The runtime expects one main workspace directory as the agent’s working directory. Within it, OpenClaw injects bootstrap and profile files such as AGENTS.md, SOUL.md, TOOLS.md, BOOTSTRAP.md, IDENTITY.md, and USER.md.

3. Skills and layered precedence

The docs define several skill-loading locations, including workspace skills, project .agents/skills, personal ~/.agents/skills, managed skills, bundled skills, and extra directories.

4. JSONL session storage

Session transcripts are stored as JSONL files under the agent’s state directory. This confirms that OpenClaw’s persistence model is a concrete runtime and workspace discipline, not only a marketplace story.