Configure Tools

Configure OpenClaw tool policies, exec security, and per-agent tool restrictions. Use when asked to set up tool access for an agent, restrict tools, configure exec security or approvals, set up a tool profile, enable plugin tools, or lock down an agent's capabilities.

Set up tool policies and security following conventions/tools.md. Read the convention first for profiles, groups, exec security options, and policy layering rules.

Decision Flow

1. What scope?

   • Global (all agents) → tools.* in openclaw.json
   • Single agent → agents.list[].tools.*
   • Single provider/model → tools.byProvider.* or agents.list[].tools.byProvider.*

2. Start with a profile or build custom?

   • Agent fits a standard role → use a profile (full, coding, messaging, minimal)
   • Agent needs a specific tool mix → use explicit allow/deny with group:* shorthands

3. Does exec need configuration?

   • Agent runs shell commands → configure host, security, ask (see convention for options)
   • Agent should not run shell commands → deny group:runtime

Config Syntax

Set a profile

// Global
{ tools: { profile: "coding" } }

// Per-agent
{ agents: { list: [{ id: "<agent-id>", tools: { profile: "messaging" } }] } }

Fine-tune with allow/deny

Use group:* shorthands (listed in conventions/tools.md) over individual tool names. Deny wins over allow.

// Profile + deny specific groups
{ id: "<agent-id>", tools: { profile: "coding", deny: ["group:ui", "group:web"] } }

// Profile + allow extras
{ id: "<agent-id>", tools: { profile: "messaging", allow: ["web_search"] } }

// Explicit allow (no profile)
{ id: "<agent-id>", tools: { allow: ["read", "session_status", "memory_search"] } }

Enable plugin tools

Use alsoAllow (additive, safe) rather than replacing the allowlist:

{ tools: { alsoAllow: ["lobster", "llm-task"] } }

Configure exec security

// Sandboxed (safest)
{ tools: { exec: { host: "sandbox", security: "deny" } } }

// Gateway with approvals (most agents)
{ tools: { exec: { host: "gateway", security: "allowlist", ask: "on-miss" } } }

// Trusted main agent (wide open)
{ tools: { exec: { host: "gateway", security: "full", ask: "off" } } }

Restrict by provider

{ tools: { byProvider: { "google/gemini-2.5-flash": { profile: "coding" } } } }

Apply Changes

Use the gateway tool:

{ "tool": "gateway", "action": "config.patch", "patch": { "tools": { ... } } }

Or edit ~/.openclaw/openclaw.json directly and restart the Gateway.

Post-Configuration Checklist

• Non-main agents use least-privilege tool access (profile or explicit allow)
• Exec security configured appropriately (host, security, ask)
• No interpreter binaries (python3, node, bash) in tools.exec.safeBins
• Plugin tools explicitly opted in via alsoAllow where needed
• Provider-specific restrictions set for less capable models if applicable
• Configuration applied and verified