OpenClaw Auto‑Updater (Safe + Scheduled + Summary)

Schedule automatic OpenClaw and skill updates with reliable cron templates, timezone-safe scheduling, and clear summary outputs. Use for hands-off maintenance, scheduled upgrades, and concise update reports.

OpenClaw Auto-Updater

Run scheduled updates for OpenClaw and installed skills using cron messages (no scripts required). Focus: safe scheduling, predictable output, and minimal manual work.

What it does

• Runs OpenClaw updates on a fixed schedule
• Updates all installed skills via ClawHub
• Sends a concise, readable summary (updated / unchanged / failed)

Setup (daily updates)

Daily at 03:30 Europe/Berlin:

openclaw cron add \
  --name "OpenClaw Auto-Update" \
  --cron "30 3 * * *" \
  --tz "Europe/Berlin" \
  --session isolated \
  --wake now \
  --deliver \
  --message "Run daily auto-updates: 1) openclaw update --yes --json 2) clawdhub update --all 3) report versions updated + errors."

Weekly (Sunday 04:00)

openclaw cron add \
  --name "OpenClaw Auto-Update (Weekly)" \
  --cron "0 4 * * 0" \
  --tz "Europe/Berlin" \
  --session isolated \
  --wake now \
  --deliver \
  --message "Run weekly auto-updates: openclaw update --yes --json; clawdhub update --all; summarize changes."

Safer modes

Dry run (no changes):

openclaw cron add \
  --name "OpenClaw Auto-Update (Dry)" \
  --cron "30 3 * * *" \
  --tz "Europe/Berlin" \
  --session isolated \
  --wake now \
  --deliver \
  --message "Check updates only: openclaw update status; clawdhub update --all --dry-run; summarize what would change."

Core only (skip skills):

openclaw cron add \
  --name "OpenClaw Auto-Update (Core Only)" \
  --cron "30 3 * * *" \
  --tz "Europe/Berlin" \
  --session isolated \
  --wake now \
  --deliver \
  --message "Update OpenClaw only: openclaw update --yes --json; summarize version change."

Summary format (recommended)

🔄 OpenClaw Auto-Update

OpenClaw: 2026.2.1 → 2026.2.2 (OK)
Skills updated: 3
Skills unchanged: 12
Errors: none

Troubleshooting

• If updates fail, include the error in the summary.
• Schedule off-hours; updates may restart the gateway.
• Use explicit timezones to avoid surprises.

References

• references/agent-guide.md → deeper implementation notes
• references/summary-examples.md → formatting examples