# Skills (macOS)

## Overview

The macOS application surfaces OpenClaw skills through a gateway rather than parsing them locally.

## Key Components

### Data Source

The system retrieves skill information via `skills.status` from the gateway, which provides all skills plus eligibility and missing requirements. Requirements come from the `metadata.openclaw.requires` field in skill markdown files.

### Installation Process

The `metadata.openclaw.install` property specifies available installation methods:

- brew
- node
- go
- uv

When users initiate installation, the app invokes `skills.install` on the gateway host. The gateway prioritizes a single installer:

1. Prefers brew when available
2. Otherwise uses the node package manager specified in `skills.install`
3. Falls back to npm as the default

### Credential Management

API keys and environment variables are stored locally at `~/.openclaw/openclaw.json` under the `skills.entries.<skillKey>` path.

Configuration updates use the `skills.update` endpoint to modify:

- Enabled status
- API keys
- Environment settings

### Remote Configuration

Installation and configuration changes occur on the gateway host rather than the local machine, maintaining centralized management of skill deployment.
