Bootstrap Optimizer — Lean OpenClaw Bootstrap Architecture

Optimizes OpenClaw MD files by splitting TOOLS.md, enforcing atomic rules, and loading scenes on demand to keep bootstraps lean under 3KB.

SKILL.md — Bootstrap Optimizer

Version: 2.0 | Updated: 2026-05-22 Skill Name: md-bootstrap-optimizer Tags: bootstrap, memory-management, openclaw, file-architecture, lean-context Install: npx clawhub@latest install md-bootstrap-optimizer

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What This Is

A design guide and audit tool for keeping OpenClaw's bootstrap file system lean and maintainable as it grows. Prevents rules from scattering, keeps context usage low, and makes every file's purpose clear.

Core problem it solves: As OpenClaw agents accumulate rules, MEMORY.md and TOOLS.md bloat, critical rules get truncated, and context is wasted on rules that aren't relevant to the current session.

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The Three-Layer Architecture

Every file in the bootstrap layer belongs to exactly one of three layers:

Layer	When Loaded	Rules
Core (Permanent)	Every session, full load	Atomic principles only — things that are always true
Execution (On-demand)	Triggered by scene or task type	Detailed procedures for specific situations
Archive	Never auto-loaded	Historical, reference-only — no rule participation

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Layer 1: Core — Always in Context

Files here load on every session start. Keep them small and permanent.

text

MEMORY.md        — Atomic rules (Why), not facts (What)
AGENTS.md        — Core operating procedures
CLAUDE.md / SOUL.md / IDENTITY.md — Identity anchors

Atomic rules only: Store principles that never expire, not event logs or temporary facts.

Good: "When the user says 'confirm', check if decisions.md needs updating before acting" Bad: "The user owns 1 million in assets" (fact, not rule)

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Layer 2: Execution — Loaded on Demand

Files here load only when their trigger fires. Keep them comprehensive.

text

SCHEDULING.md     — Loaded when scheduling tasks
INSTRUCTIONS.md   — Loaded when handling instructions
TOOLS.md          — Mother file (index only), children loaded on demand
PROJECT.md        — Loaded for specific projects

Mother-Child split for TOOLS.md: The mother file is an index (< 3KB). Child files contain the details. The child loads only when called.

text

TOOLS.md (mother, index only)
├── TOOLS_skills.md      — Detailed skill inventory
├── TOOLS_feishu.md      — Channel/protocol details
└── TOOLS_custom.md      — Your custom tool docs

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Layer 3: Archive — Reference Only

These files exist on disk but never participate in bootstrap. Use them for historical context, but don't count on them for current behavior.

text

AGENTS_full.md    — Full ruleset (verbose version)
DREAMS.md         — Past session insights
HEARTBEAT.md      — Maintenance logs

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The Lean Rules

Rule 1: Atomic MEMORY.md

MEMORY.md stores only permanently true principles. When something in MEMORY.md becomes a fact rather than a principle, move it to a project file or daily log.

Rule 2: Mother-Child Separation

When any bootstrap file exceeds ~3KB, split it:

• Mother: Index and summaries only
• Child: Full detail, loaded on demand

Rule 3: One Owner Per Rule

Every rule lives in exactly one file. Cross-references between files are OK for navigation, but rule ownership is singular.

Rule 4: Scene Loading Over Global Loading

Detailed procedures belong in scene-specific files, not in always-loaded core files. The session loads what's needed, not everything.

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Audit Checklist

Run this monthly or whenever bootstrap feels slow:

bash

# Check bootstrap file sizes
ls -lh ~/.openclaw/workspace/*.md | awk '{print $5, $9}'

# Check total bootstrap size
cat ~/.openclaw/workspace/*.md | wc -c

# Flag files over 3KB
for f in ~/.openclaw/workspace/*.md; do
  size=$(wc -c < "$f")
  if [ "$size" -gt 3000 ]; then
    echo "OVER 3KB: $f ($size bytes)"
  fi
done

Audit Thresholds

Metric	Warning	Action
Bootstrap total	> 15KB	Review for bloat
Any single file	> 3KB	Plan split
MEMORY.md growth	Any	Check if facts vs rules

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Bootstrap File Size Budget

File	Target Max	Reason
MEMORY.md	< 3KB	Loaded every session
AGENTS.md	< 5KB	Core rules, always loaded
TOOLS.md (mother)	< 3KB	Index only
Execution layer files	No limit	Loaded on demand

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Anti-Patterns to Avoid

Don't pile everything into MEMORY.md

Symptoms: Version drift, critical rules truncated, facts mixed with principles

Don't load detailed procedures in bootstrap

Symptoms: Context wasted, slow session start, rules irrelevant to current task

Don't cross-reference without ownership

Symptoms: "Where does this rule actually live?" — nobody knows

Don't keep facts in bootstrap files

Facts belong in project files or daily logs. Bootstrap is for rules, not state.

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Installation

bash

# Install via ClawHub
npx clawhub@latest install md-bootstrap-optimizer

# Or manual: copy to your skills directory
cp -r md-bootstrap-optimizer ~/.openclaw/skills/

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Prerequisites

• OpenClaw workspace with bootstrap files
• Basic understanding of your agent's bootstrap structure
• No external dependencies beyond OpenClaw

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Customization

This skill describes a general architecture. Adapt the layer definitions and thresholds to your workflow:

• Change 3KB thresholds based on your context budget
• Adjust layer assignments based on what actually triggers in your sessions
• Add or remove layer categories to match your file inventory