# Gateway Runbook

# Gateway service runbook

Last updated: 2025-12-09

## What it is

* The always-on process that owns the single Baileys/Telegram connection and the control/event plane.
* Replaces the legacy `gateway` command. CLI entry point: `openclaw gateway`.
* Runs until stopped; exits non-zero on fatal errors so the supervisor restarts it.

## How to run (local)

```bash
openclaw gateway --port 18789
# for full debug/trace logs in stdio:
openclaw gateway --port 18789 --verbose
# if the port is busy, terminate listeners then start:
openclaw gateway --force
# dev loop (auto-reload on TS changes):
pnpm gateway:watch
```

* Config hot reload watches `~/.openclaw/openclaw.json` (or `OPENCLAW_CONFIG_PATH`).
  * Default mode: `gateway.reload.mode="hybrid"` (hot-apply safe changes, restart on critical).
  * Hot reload uses in-process restart via **SIGUSR1** when needed.
  * Disable with `gateway.reload.mode="off"`.
* Binds WebSocket control plane to `127.0.0.1:<port>` (default 18789).
* The same port also serves HTTP (control UI, hooks, A2UI). Single-port multiplex.
  * OpenAI Chat Completions (HTTP): [`/v1/chat/completions`](/gateway/openai-http-api).
  * OpenResponses (HTTP): [`/v1/responses`](/gateway/openresponses-http-api).
  * Tools Invoke (HTTP): [`/tools/invoke`](/gateway/tools-invoke-http-api).
* Starts a Canvas file server by default on `canvasHost.port` (default `18793`), serving `http://<gateway-host>:18793/__openclaw__/canvas/` from `~/.openclaw/workspace/canvas`. Disable with `canvasHost.enabled=false` or `OPENCLAW_SKIP_CANVAS_HOST=1`.
* Logs to stdout; use launchd/systemd to keep it alive and rotate logs.
* Pass `--verbose` to mirror debug logging (handshakes, req/res, events) from the log file into stdio when troubleshooting.
* `--force` uses `lsof` to find listeners on the chosen port, sends SIGTERM, logs what it killed, then starts the gateway (fails fast if `lsof` is missing).
* If you run under a supervisor (launchd/systemd/mac app child-process mode), a stop/restart typically sends **SIGTERM**; older builds may surface this as `pnpm` `ELIFECYCLE` exit code **143** (SIGTERM), which is a normal shutdown, not a crash.
* **SIGUSR1** triggers an in-process restart when authorized (gateway tool/config apply/update, or enable `commands.restart` for manual restarts).
* Gateway auth is required by default: set `gateway.auth.token` (or `OPENCLAW_GATEWAY_TOKEN`) or `gateway.auth.password`. Clients must send `connect.params.auth.token/password` unless using Tailscale Serve identity.
* The wizard now generates a token by default, even on loopback.
* Port precedence: `--port` > `OPENCLAW_GATEWAY_PORT` > `gateway.port` > default `18789`.

## Remote access

* Tailscale/VPN preferred; otherwise SSH tunnel:
  ```bash
  ssh -N -L 18789:127.0.0.1:18789 user@host
  ```
* Clients then connect to `ws://127.0.0.1:18789` through the tunnel.
* If a token is configured, clients must include it in `connect.params.auth.token` even over the tunnel.

## Multiple gateways (same host)

Usually unnecessary: one Gateway can serve multiple messaging channels and agents. Use multiple Gateways only for redundancy or strict isolation (ex: rescue bot).

Supported if you isolate state + config and use unique ports. Full guide: [Multiple gateways](/gateway/multiple-gateways).

Service names are profile-aware:

* macOS: `bot.molt.<profile>` (legacy `com.openclaw.*` may still exist)
* Linux: `openclaw-gateway-<profile>.service`
* Windows: `OpenClaw Gateway (<profile>)`

Install metadata is embedded in the service config:

* `OPENCLAW_SERVICE_MARKER=openclaw`
* `OPENCLAW_SERVICE_KIND=gateway`
* `OPENCLAW_SERVICE_VERSION=<version>`

Rescue-Bot Pattern: keep a second Gateway isolated with its own profile, state dir, workspace, and base port spacing. Full guide: [Rescue-bot guide](/gateway/multiple-gateways#rescue-bot-guide).

### Dev profile (`--dev`)

Fast path: run a fully-isolated dev instance (config/state/workspace) without touching your primary setup.

```bash
openclaw --dev setup
openclaw --dev gateway --allow-unconfigured
# then target the dev instance:
openclaw --dev status
openclaw --dev health
```

Defaults (can be overridden via env/flags/config):

* `OPENCLAW_STATE_DIR=~/.openclaw-dev`
* `OPENCLAW_CONFIG_PATH=~/.openclaw-dev/openclaw.json`
* `OPENCLAW_GATEWAY_PORT=19001` (Gateway WS + HTTP)
* browser control service port = `19003` (derived: `gateway.port+2`, loopback only)
* `canvasHost.port=19005` (derived: `gateway.port+4`)
* `agents.defaults.workspace` default becomes `~/.openclaw/workspace-dev` when you run `setup`/`onboard` under `--dev`.

Derived ports (rules of thumb):

* Base port = `gateway.port` (or `OPENCLAW_GATEWAY_PORT` / `--port`)
* browser control service port = base + 2 (loopback only)
* `canvasHost.port = base + 4` (or `OPENCLAW_CANVAS_HOST_PORT` / config override)
* Browser profile CDP ports auto-allocate from `browser.controlPort + 9 .. + 108` (persisted per profile).

Checklist per instance:

* unique `gateway.port`
* unique `OPENCLAW_CONFIG_PATH`
* unique `OPENCLAW_STATE_DIR`
* unique `agents.defaults.workspace`
* separate WhatsApp numbers (if using WA)

Service install per profile:

```bash
openclaw --profile main gateway install
openclaw --profile rescue gateway install
```

Example:

```bash
OPENCLAW_CONFIG_PATH=~/.openclaw/a.json OPENCLAW_STATE_DIR=~/.openclaw-a openclaw gateway --port 19001
OPENCLAW_CONFIG_PATH=~/.openclaw/b.json OPENCLAW_STATE_DIR=~/.openclaw-b openclaw gateway --port 19002
```

## Protocol (operator view)

* Full docs: [Gateway protocol](/gateway/protocol) and [Bridge protocol (legacy)](/gateway/bridge-protocol).
* Mandatory first frame from client: `req {type:"req", id, method:"connect", params:{minProtocol,maxProtocol,client:{id,displayName?,version,platform,deviceFamily?,modelIdentifier?,mode,instanceId?}, caps, auth?, locale?, userAgent? } }`.
* Gateway replies `res {type:"res", id, ok:true, payload:hello-ok }` (or `ok:false` with an error, then closes).
* After handshake:
  * Requests: `{type:"req", id, method, params}` -> `{type:"res", id, ok, payload|error}`
  * Events: `{type:"event", event, payload, seq?, stateVersion?}`
* Structured presence entries: `{host, ip, version, platform?, deviceFamily?, modelIdentifier?, mode, lastInputSeconds?, ts, reason?, tags?[], instanceId? }` (for WS clients, `instanceId` comes from `connect.client.instanceId`).
* `agent` responses are two-stage: first `res` ack `{runId,status:"accepted"}`, then a final `res` `{runId,status:"ok"|"error",summary}` after the run finishes; streamed output arrives as `event:"agent"`.

## Methods (initial set)

* `health` - full health snapshot (same shape as `openclaw health --json`).
* `status` - short summary.
* `system-presence` - current presence list.
* `system-event` - post a presence/system note (structured).
* `send` - send a message via the active channel(s).
* `agent` - run an agent turn (streams events back on same connection).
* `node.list` - list paired + currently-connected nodes (includes `caps`, `deviceFamily`, `modelIdentifier`, `paired`, `connected`, and advertised `commands`).
* `node.describe` - describe a node (capabilities + supported `node.invoke` commands; works for paired nodes and for currently-connected unpaired nodes).
* `node.invoke` - invoke a command on a node (e.g. `canvas.*`, `camera.*`).
* `node.pair.*` - pairing lifecycle (`request`, `list`, `approve`, `reject`, `verify`).

See also: [Presence](/concepts/presence) for how presence is produced/deduped and why a stable `client.instanceId` matters.

## Events

* `agent` - streamed tool/output events from the agent run (seq-tagged).
* `presence` - presence updates (deltas with stateVersion) pushed to all connected clients.
* `tick` - periodic keepalive/no-op to confirm liveness.
* `shutdown` - Gateway is exiting; payload includes `reason` and optional `restartExpectedMs`. Clients should reconnect.

## WebChat integration

* WebChat is a native SwiftUI UI that talks directly to the Gateway WebSocket for history, sends, abort, and events.
* Remote use goes through the same SSH/Tailscale tunnel; if a gateway token is configured, the client includes it during `connect`.
* macOS app connects via a single WS (shared connection); it hydrates presence from the initial snapshot and listens for `presence` events to update the UI.

## Typing and validation

* Server validates every inbound frame with AJV against JSON Schema emitted from the protocol definitions.
* Clients (TS/Swift) consume generated types (TS directly; Swift via the repo's generator).
* Protocol definitions are the source of truth; regenerate schema/models with:
  * `pnpm protocol:gen`
  * `pnpm protocol:gen:swift`

## Connection snapshot

* `hello-ok` includes a `snapshot` with `presence`, `health`, `stateVersion`, and `uptimeMs` plus `policy {maxPayload,maxBufferedBytes,tickIntervalMs}` so clients can render immediately without extra requests.
* `health`/`system-presence` remain available for manual refresh, but are not required at connect time.

## Error codes (res.error shape)

* Errors use `{ code, message, details?, retryable?, retryAfterMs? }`.
* Standard codes:
  * `NOT_LINKED` - WhatsApp not authenticated.
  * `AGENT_TIMEOUT` - agent did not respond within the configured deadline.
  * `INVALID_REQUEST` - schema/param validation failed.
  * `UNAVAILABLE` - Gateway is shutting down or a dependency is unavailable.

## Keepalive behavior

* `tick` events (or WS ping/pong) are emitted periodically so clients know the Gateway is alive even when no traffic occurs.
* Send/agent acknowledgements remain separate responses; do not overload ticks for sends.

## Replay / gaps

* Events are not replayed. Clients detect seq gaps and should refresh (`health` + `system-presence`) before continuing. WebChat and macOS clients now auto-refresh on gap.

## Supervision (macOS example)

* Use launchd to keep the service alive:
  * Program: path to `openclaw`
  * Arguments: `gateway`
  * KeepAlive: true
  * StandardOut/Err: file paths or `syslog`
* On failure, launchd restarts; fatal misconfig should keep exiting so the operator notices.
* LaunchAgents are per-user and require a logged-in session; for headless setups use a custom LaunchDaemon (not shipped).
  * `openclaw gateway install` writes `~/Library/LaunchAgents/bot.molt.gateway.plist`
    (or `bot.molt.<profile>.plist`; legacy `com.openclaw.*` is cleaned up).
  * `openclaw doctor` audits the LaunchAgent config and can update it to current defaults.

## Gateway service management (CLI)

Use the Gateway CLI for install/start/stop/restart/status:

```bash
openclaw gateway status
openclaw gateway install
openclaw gateway stop
openclaw gateway restart
openclaw logs --follow
```

Notes:

* `gateway status` probes the Gateway RPC by default using the service's resolved port/config (override with `--url`).
* `gateway status --deep` adds system-level scans (LaunchDaemons/system units).
* `gateway status --no-probe` skips the RPC probe (useful when networking is down).
* `gateway status --json` is stable for scripts.
* `gateway status` reports **supervisor runtime** (launchd/systemd running) separately from **RPC reachability** (WS connect + status RPC).
* `gateway status` prints config path + probe target to avoid "localhost vs LAN bind" confusion and profile mismatches.
* `gateway status` includes the last gateway error line when the service looks running but the port is closed.
* `logs` tails the Gateway file log via RPC (no manual `tail`/`grep` needed).
* If other gateway-like services are detected, the CLI warns unless they are OpenClaw profile services.
  We still recommend **one gateway per machine** for most setups; use isolated profiles/ports for redundancy or a rescue bot. See [Multiple gateways](/gateway/multiple-gateways).
  * Cleanup: `openclaw gateway uninstall` (current service) and `openclaw doctor` (legacy migrations).
* `gateway install` is a no-op when already installed; use `openclaw gateway install --force` to reinstall (profile/env/path changes).

Bundled mac app:

* OpenClaw.app can bundle a Node-based gateway relay and install a per-user LaunchAgent labeled
  `bot.molt.gateway` (or `bot.molt.<profile>`; legacy `com.openclaw.*` labels still unload cleanly).
* To stop it cleanly, use `openclaw gateway stop` (or `launchctl bootout gui/$UID/bot.molt.gateway`).
* To restart, use `openclaw gateway restart` (or `launchctl kickstart -k gui/$UID/bot.molt.gateway`).
  * `launchctl` only works if the LaunchAgent is installed; otherwise use `openclaw gateway install` first.
  * Replace the label with `bot.molt.<profile>` when running a named profile.

## Supervision (systemd user unit)

OpenClaw installs a **systemd user service** by default on Linux/WSL2. We
recommend user services for single-user machines (simpler env, per-user config).
Use a **system service** for multi-user or always-on servers (no lingering
required, shared supervision).

`openclaw gateway install` writes the user unit. `openclaw doctor` audits the
unit and can update it to match the current recommended defaults.

Create `~/.config/systemd/user/openclaw-gateway[-<profile>].service`:

```
[Unit]
Description=OpenClaw Gateway (profile: <profile>, v<version>)
After=network-online.target
Wants=network-online.target

[Service]
ExecStart=/usr/local/bin/openclaw gateway --port 18789
Restart=always
RestartSec=5
Environment=OPENCLAW_GATEWAY_TOKEN=
WorkingDirectory=/home/youruser

[Install]
WantedBy=default.target
```

Enable lingering (required so the user service survives logout/idle):

```
sudo loginctl enable-linger youruser
```

Onboarding runs this on Linux/WSL2 (may prompt for sudo; writes `/var/lib/systemd/linger`).
Then enable the service:

```
systemctl --user enable --now openclaw-gateway[-<profile>].service
```

**Alternative (system service)** - for always-on or multi-user servers, you can
install a systemd **system** unit instead of a user unit (no lingering needed).
Create `/etc/systemd/system/openclaw-gateway[-<profile>].service` (copy the unit above,
switch `WantedBy=multi-user.target`, set `User=` + `WorkingDirectory=`), then:

```
sudo systemctl daemon-reload
sudo systemctl enable --now openclaw-gateway[-<profile>].service
```

## Windows (WSL2)

Windows installs should use **WSL2** and follow the Linux systemd section above.

## Operational checks

* Liveness: open WS and send `req:connect` -> expect `res` with `payload.type="hello-ok"` (with snapshot).
* Readiness: call `health` -> expect `ok: true` and a linked channel in `linkChannel` (when applicable).
* Debug: subscribe to `tick` and `presence` events; ensure `status` shows linked/auth age; presence entries show Gateway host and connected clients.

## Safety guarantees

* Assume one Gateway per host by default; if you run multiple profiles, isolate ports/state and target the right instance.
* No fallback to direct Baileys connections; if the Gateway is down, sends fail fast.
* Non-connect first frames or malformed JSON are rejected and the socket is closed.
* Graceful shutdown: emit `shutdown` event before closing; clients must handle close + reconnect.

## CLI helpers

* `openclaw gateway health|status` - request health/status over the Gateway WS.
* `openclaw message send --target <num> --message "hi" [--media ...]` - send via Gateway (idempotent for WhatsApp).
* `openclaw agent --message "hi" --to <num>` - run an agent turn (waits for final by default).
* `openclaw gateway call <method> --params '{"k":"v"}'` - raw method invoker for debugging.
* `openclaw gateway stop|restart` - stop/restart the supervised gateway service (launchd/systemd).
* Gateway helper subcommands assume a running gateway on `--url`; they no longer auto-spawn one.

## Migration guidance

* Retire uses of `openclaw gateway` and the legacy TCP control port.
* Update clients to speak the WS protocol with mandatory connect and structured presence.