/gov_openclaw_json

Purpose

Handle OpenClaw platform control-plane changes safely. Default target is ~/.openclaw/openclaw.json. Common governance profile:

1. Ensure plugins.allow keeps existing trusted ids and includes openclaw-workspace-governance.
2. Manage governance runtime policy for unknown future commands:
   • plugins.entries[].config.runtimeGatePolicy.allowShellPrefixes
   • plugins.entries[].config.runtimeGatePolicy.allowShellRegex
   • plugins.entries[].config.runtimeGatePolicy.denyShellPrefixes
   • plugins.entries[].config.runtimeGatePolicy.denyShellRegex

Allowed scope (hard)

1. ~/.openclaw/openclaw.json
2. ~/.openclaw/extensions/ only when plugin install/enable/disable/uninstall requires it

Not in scope (hard)

1. Brain Docs (USER.md, IDENTITY.md, TOOLS.md, SOUL.md, MEMORY.md, HEARTBEAT.md, memory/*.md)
2. Normal workspace coding/docs files under <workspace-root>
3. If request is non-platform file change, re-route to normal Mode C lifecycle (PLAN -> READ -> CHANGE -> QC -> PERSIST)
4. For conservative Brain Docs behavior hardening, route to gov_brain_audit (single entry; preview by default, then approved apply if needed).

Required workflow (hard)

1. Classify request as Mode C governance change.
2. Output PLAN GATE first (no writes before PLAN + READ).
3. Pre-modification config reference check (before any change): a. Search local workspace for OpenClaw documentation:
   • check skills/ directory for relevant OpenClaw skill docs or config references
   • check for any local openclaw-doc plugin docs, release notes, or official reference materials b. If local docs do not contain the needed config reference for the requested change:
   • read official docs: https://docs.openclaw.ai/
   • check official releases for version-sensitive info: https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/releases
   • check official repo for config structure reference: https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/ c. If web fetch tool is not available (not configured or restricted in this OpenClaw instance), log the limitation and proceed with local-only verification + operator confirmation of intended config values. d. If verification cannot be completed (no local docs and no web fetch), report uncertainty and required next check; do not infer config structure or valid values. e. Include CONFIG_REF_SOURCE in output: which source was used (local docs / official web / operator-confirmed / unverified).
4. Read governance files + target platform file before changing.
5. Create workspace-local backup first:
   • archive/_platform_backup_<ts>/...
6. Confirm expected old value exists before patching.
7. Apply minimal patch only to approved keys/sections.
   • For plugins.allow alignment:
     • if plugins.allow is missing/non-array, create it as array
     • append openclaw-workspace-governance only if missing
     • preserve existing ids and order; do not drop unrelated trusted ids
   • For runtimeGatePolicy alignment:
     • keep existing rules unless operator explicitly removes them
     • add only requested allow/deny prefixes/regex entries
     • do not widen scope beyond operator intent
8. Validate result:
   • preferred: openclaw config check
   • fallback: read-back evidence of changed keys/sections
9. If validation fails: rollback from backup and stop.
10. Persist evidence:
    • run report in _runs/
    • update _control/WORKSPACE_INDEX.md
    • include before/after excerpts + backup path

Input contract

If request does not provide enough detail, ask for missing fields before any patch:

1. target path/key path
2. expected old value
3. new value
4. whether restart is allowed if required Exception:
5. If operator intent is clearly "align plugin allowlist for governance setup/upgrade", use built-in profile above without forcing extra prompts.
6. If operator intent is clearly "unblock a governance false block for official/new custom command", use built-in runtimeGatePolicy profile above without forcing extra prompts.

Output contract

Always report:

1. workspace root
2. FILES_READ (exact paths)
3. TARGET_FILES_TO_CHANGE (exact paths)
4. CONFIG_REF_SOURCE (one of: local docs / official web / operator-confirmed / unverified)
5. target platform path
6. backup path
7. changed key paths
8. validation result
9. rollback result (if triggered)
10. NEXT STEP (Operator):
    • if PASS and change touched plugins.allow: /gov_setup check (fallback: /skill gov_setup check)
    • if PASS and change touched runtimeGatePolicy: openclaw gateway restart, then retry original command
    • if PASS and no allowlist change: /gov_audit (fallback: /skill gov_audit)
    • if FAIL/BLOCKED: one unblock action + retry command
11. Use branded output format (match formatCommandOutput style):
    • First line: 🐾 OpenClaw Governance · /gov_openclaw_json
    • ───────────────────────────────── dividers between sections
    • Status line: ✅ STATUS / ⚠️ STATUS / ❌ STATUS (emoji prefix, then status value on next line)
    • Bullet items: • prefix (not -)
    • Next step: 👉 prefix on action text
    • Commands: indented with 2 spaces (no COMMAND TO COPY label)

Fallback

• If slash command is unavailable or name-collided, use:
  • /skill gov_openclaw_json