OpenClaw Hook Setup

This is the runtime hook setup for ClawVault. Use this when you want automatic lifecycle behavior in OpenClaw.

Install + Enable

npm install -g clawvault
openclaw hooks install clawvault
openclaw hooks enable clawvault

Restart the OpenClaw gateway process after enabling.

Verify (Required)

openclaw hooks list --verbose
openclaw hooks info clawvault
openclaw hooks check
clawvault compat

Events Used

The ClawVault hook pack is built for:

• gateway:startup
• gateway:heartbeat
• command:new
• session:start
• compaction:memoryFlush
• cron.weekly

What It Automates

• context death detection on startup
• checkpoint before /new
• task-aware context injection at session start (--profile auto)
• active observation flush during relevant lifecycle events

Hook Discovery Clarification

OpenClaw discovers hooks in this order:

1. workspace hooks (<workspace>/hooks/)
2. managed hooks (~/.openclaw/hooks/)
3. bundled hooks

If a hook with the same name exists in workspace hooks, it can shadow the managed hook install.

Troubleshooting

Hook not found when enabling

openclaw hooks install clawvault
openclaw hooks list --verbose

Then enable again:

openclaw hooks enable clawvault

Hook installed but not firing

openclaw hooks check
openclaw hooks info clawvault

Then restart gateway.

Compatibility check

clawvault compat --strict

Skill vs Hook

• clawhub install clawvault is skill/workspace guidance.
• openclaw hooks install clawvault is runtime hook installation.

Both can be useful; they are not the same mechanism.