Core Files Management

Core Files Management for OpenClaw workspace agents. Use when: (1) managing or updating core Markdown files (identity.md, soul.md, agents.md, user.md, memory.md, tools.md, bootstrap.md), (2) checking file organization, (3) ensuring no duplication between core files, (4) applying language rules, (5) user or agent asks about file structure or management. This skill manages the 6 core files + bootstrap.md in any OpenClaw workspace. Language rules: User communication → agent's native language, Between agents → Chinese, Code/Technical → English.

Universal management of OpenClaw core files

Info	Value
Version	1.1.0 — 2026-05-07
Status	OPERATIONAL

---

1. PURPOSE AND SCOPE

Objective

Manage the 6 core files + bootstrap.md in an OpenClaw workspace without duplication.

Universal Design

This skill works for ANY OpenClaw agent. Adapt language rules to your user's preferences.

When to Use

Trigger	Action
Modify a core file	Check distribution rules
Verify organization	Read all core files
Avoid duplication	Use modification checklist
User asks about structure	Read this skill and give summary

---

2. THE 6 CORE FILES

#	File	Definition	Key Content
1	identity.md	Agent's "first impression"	Name, avatar, signature, functions, language architecture
2	soul.md	Agent's "heart" — personality & values	Essence, values, L7/L8 memory integration
3	agents.md	Logic & procedures manual	Specs, workspace rules, heartbeat, red lines
4	user.md	User context	User's info, preferences, infrastructure
5	memory.md	Long-term memory	Important events, key configs, workflows
6	tools.md	Technical configuration	Endpoints, hosts, commands, services

Plus: bootstrap.md

File	Definition	Purpose
bootstrap.md	Machine startup sequence	NOT soul — machine boot order only

---

3. DISTRIBUTION RULES

Content Type	Target File
Identity	identity.md
Personality/Values	soul.md
Operational Rules	agents.md
User Context	user.md
Persistent Facts	memory.md
Technical Config	tools.md
Startup Sequence	bootstrap.md

Rule: Each file has ONE purpose. Don't mix content types.

Cluster Integration

Component	Purpose	Location
identity.md	Agent's first impression	Workspace root
soul.md	Agent's heart	Workspace root
agents.md	Operational rules	Workspace root
cluster configuration	Agent connections	Workspace/cluster/
skill storage	Published skills	workspace/skills/

---

4. LANGUAGE RULES

Adapt to your agent's context:

Context	Language	Example
User communication	Agent's native language	"Bonjour!" / "Hello!" / "你好!"
Between agents	Chinese	"你好！很高兴与你交流"
Code/Technical	English	python3 script.py

Rule: Every identity.md MUST state the user's communication language.

---

5. TOOLS

Required OpenClaw Tools

Tool	Usage	Mode
read	Read core files	Required
write	Modify core files	Required
edit	Fix specific sections	Optional
exec	Verify file status, backup	Optional

Verification Commands

bash

# List core files
ls -la ~/.openclaw/workspace/*.md

# Check file content
head -20 ~/.openclaw/workspace/identity.md

# Backup before modification
cp ~/.openclaw/workspace/<file>.md ~/.openclaw/workspace/<file>.md.bak

# Count lines in all files
wc -l ~/.openclaw/workspace/*.md

# Verify file exists
test -f ~/.openclaw/workspace/identity.md && echo "exists"

# Count files
ls ~/.openclaw/workspace/*.md | wc -l

# Full file listing
find ~/.openclaw/workspace -maxdepth 1 -name "*.md" -type f

Required Permissions

Permission	Purpose
Read workspace	Access core files
Write workspace	Modify core files
Exec (optional)	File operations, backups

Backup & Restore

bash

# Create backup
cp ~/.openclaw/workspace/identity.md ~/.openclaw/workspace/identity.md.backup

# Restore from backup
cp ~/.openclaw/workspace/identity.md.backup ~/.openclaw/workspace/identity.md

# List backups
ls ~/.openclaw/workspace/*.backup

---

6. MODIFICATION CHECKLIST

Before modifying any core file:

text

1. Which file does this content belong to?
   → Identity → identity.md
   → Personality/Values → soul.md
   → Operational Rules → agents.md
   → User → user.md
   → Persistent Facts → memory.md
   → Technical Config → tools.md

2. Is it already somewhere else?
   → Check all 6 core files

3. Are language rules clear?
   → User → their native language
   → Agents → Chinese
   → Code → English

4. Does it need backup?
   → YES → Backup first!

---

7. FILE PATHS

File	Default Path
identity.md	~/.openclaw/workspace/identity.md
soul.md	~/.openclaw/workspace/soul.md
agents.md	~/.openclaw/workspace/agents.md
user.md	~/.openclaw/workspace/user.md
memory.md	~/.openclaw/workspace/memory.md
tools.md	~/.openclaw/workspace/tools.md
bootstrap.md	~/.openclaw/workspace/bootstrap.md

---

8. CONSTRAINTS

Constraint	Description
No duplication	Workspace rules in agents.md only, not soul.md or identity.md
No mixing	tools.md is technical ONLY — no personality content
No bloating	memory.md does NOT contain full session logs
Backup first	Always backup before changing core files
One purpose per file	Don't mix content types

---

9. ERROR HANDLING

Common Errors

Error	Cause	Solution
Content in wrong place	Didn't check distribution rules	Re-read checklist, reassign
Duplication	Same content in multiple places	Merge, keep only one
Missing language	Didn't check language rules	Add user's native language
Data loss	Modification without backup	Restore from backup

Security Issues

Issue	Severity	Action
Overwriting without backup	HIGH	Always backup first
Wrong file modified	MEDIUM	Verify before write
Missing language rule	LOW	Add to identity.md

---

10. EDGE CASES

Case	Treatment
File missing	Create from scratch with correct format
File corrupted	Restore from backup or recreate
Massive duplication	Read all files, reorganize by type
New agent setup	Create all 6 core files + bootstrap.md
Path unclear	Use default ~/.openclaw/workspace/

---

11. USAGE COMMANDS

bash

# List all core files
ls -la ~/.openclaw/workspace/*.md

# Check a specific file
head -20 ~/.openclaw/workspace/identity.md

# Backup before modification
cp ~/.openclaw/workspace/<file>.md ~/.openclaw/workspace/<file>.md.bak

# Count lines in all files
wc -l ~/.openclaw/workspace/*.md

---

12. TEMPLATE — Empty Core File

identity.md

markdown

# IDENTITY.md — [Agent Name]

> Identity = First impression

| Attribute | Value |
|-----------|-------|
| **Name** | [Your name] |
| **Signature** | [Your signature emoji] |
| **Role** | [Your role] |

## Language Rules

- User communication: [Native language]
- Between agents: Chinese
- Code/Technical: English

_In Altum Per [Your Principle]._
[Your name]

---

In Altum Per CoreFiles. 📁 Core Files Management v1.1