Debug OpenClaw Models
Diagnose model, tool and streaming failures with logs and probes before code changes.
Install
npx skills add openclaw/openclaw --skill openclaw-debugging -g -a claude-code -y- Repository
- openclaw/openclaw394k
- Category
- Engineering
- Updated
- 3d ago
- License
- MIT
- Context cost
- Mediumabout 1,692 tokens
- Runs scripts
- No, instructions only
What it does
Debug OpenClaw model/provider/tool-surface/code-mode/streaming and live/Crabbox behavior; choose logs, probes, proof path before code changes; fetch stored sessions, transcripts, attachments as evidence.
OpenClaw Debugging
Behavior differs between local tests, live models, providers, code mode, Tool Search, Crabbox, CI: get debug signal before guessing.
Read First
docs/logging.md: log files,openclaw logs, targeted debug flags.docs/reference/test.md: local test commands.docs/tools/code-mode.md: code-mode exec/wait + tool catalog rules.$openclaw-testing: test-lane choice.$crabbox: broad, Docker, package, Linux, live-key, CI-parity proof.
Default Loop
- State suspected boundary: config, tool construction, provider payload, fetch, stream/SSE, transcript replay, worker/runtime, package/dist, CI.
- Add/enable narrowest signal proving boundary.
- Reproduce with same provider/model/config. Never randomly switch models unless model itself = tested variable.
- Compare configured state with actual run activation.
- Patch root cause.
- Rerun exact failing probe; broaden only if contract requires.
Model Transport Logs
Model request shape/stream timing: targeted env flags over global debug:
OPENCLAW_DEBUG_MODEL_TRANSPORT=1 openclaw gateway
OPENCLAW_DEBUG_MODEL_PAYLOAD=tools OPENCLAW_DEBUG_SSE=events openclaw gateway
OPENCLAW_DEBUG_MODEL_PAYLOAD=full-redacted OPENCLAW_DEBUG_SSE=peek openclaw gateway
Useful flags:
OPENCLAW_DEBUG_MODEL_TRANSPORT=1: request start, fetch response, SDK headers, first SSE event, stream done, transport errors atinfo.OPENCLAW_DEBUG_MODEL_PAYLOAD=summary: bounded payload summary.OPENCLAW_DEBUG_MODEL_PAYLOAD=tools: all model-facing tool names.OPENCLAW_DEBUG_MODEL_PAYLOAD=full-redacted: capped, redacted JSON payload. Only while debugging; prompts/message text may still appear.OPENCLAW_DEBUG_SSE=events: first-event + stream-completion timing.OPENCLAW_DEBUG_SSE=peek: first five redacted SSE events.OPENCLAW_DEBUG_CODE_MODE=1: code-mode tool-surface diagnostics.
Watch logs:
openclaw logs --follow
