CORE FILES MANAGEMENT 📁#

Universal management of OpenClaw core files

InfoValueVersion1.1.0 — 2026-05-07StatusOPERATIONAL

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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#

TriggerActionModify a core fileCheck distribution rulesVerify organizationRead all core filesAvoid duplicationUse modification checklistUser asks about structureRead this skill and give summary

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2. THE 6 CORE FILES#

#FileDefinitionKey Content1identity.mdAgent's "first impression"Name, avatar, signature, functions, language architecture2soul.mdAgent's "heart" — personality & valuesEssence, values, L7/L8 memory integration3agents.mdLogic & procedures manualSpecs, workspace rules, heartbeat, red lines4user.mdUser contextUser's info, preferences, infrastructure5memory.mdLong-term memoryImportant events, key configs, workflows6tools.mdTechnical configurationEndpoints, hosts, commands, services

Plus: bootstrap.md#

FileDefinitionPurposebootstrap.mdMachine startup sequenceNOT soul — machine boot order only

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3. DISTRIBUTION RULES#

Content TypeTarget FileIdentityidentity.mdPersonality/Valuessoul.mdOperational Rulesagents.mdUser Contextuser.mdPersistent Factsmemory.mdTechnical Configtools.mdStartup Sequencebootstrap.md

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

Cluster Integration#

ComponentPurposeLocationidentity.mdAgent's first impressionWorkspace rootsoul.mdAgent's heartWorkspace rootagents.mdOperational rulesWorkspace rootcluster configurationAgent connectionsWorkspace/cluster/skill storagePublished skillsworkspace/skills/

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4. LANGUAGE RULES#

Adapt to your agent's context:

ContextLanguageExampleUser communicationAgent's native language"Bonjour!" / "Hello!" / "你好!"Between agentsChinese"你好！很高兴与你交流"Code/TechnicalEnglishpython3 script.py

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

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5. TOOLS#

Required OpenClaw Tools#

ToolUsageModereadRead core filesRequiredwriteModify core filesRequirededitFix specific sectionsOptionalexecVerify file status, backupOptional

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#

PermissionPurposeRead workspaceAccess core filesWrite workspaceModify core filesExec (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

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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!

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7. FILE PATHS#

FileDefault Pathidentity.md~/.openclaw/workspace/identity.mdsoul.md~/.openclaw/workspace/soul.mdagents.md~/.openclaw/workspace/agents.mduser.md~/.openclaw/workspace/user.mdmemory.md~/.openclaw/workspace/memory.mdtools.md~/.openclaw/workspace/tools.mdbootstrap.md~/.openclaw/workspace/bootstrap.md

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8. CONSTRAINTS#

ConstraintDescriptionNo duplicationWorkspace rules in agents.md only, not soul.md or identity.mdNo mixingtools.md is technical ONLY — no personality contentNo bloatingmemory.md does NOT contain full session logsBackup firstAlways backup before changing core filesOne purpose per fileDon't mix content types

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9. ERROR HANDLING#

Common Errors#

ErrorCauseSolutionContent in wrong placeDidn't check distribution rulesRe-read checklist, reassignDuplicationSame content in multiple placesMerge, keep only oneMissing languageDidn't check language rulesAdd user's native languageData lossModification without backupRestore from backup

Security Issues#

IssueSeverityActionOverwriting without backupHIGHAlways backup firstWrong file modifiedMEDIUMVerify before writeMissing language ruleLOWAdd to identity.md

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10. EDGE CASES#

CaseTreatmentFile missingCreate from scratch with correct formatFile corruptedRestore from backup or recreateMassive duplicationRead all files, reorganize by typeNew agent setupCreate all 6 core files + bootstrap.mdPath unclearUse default ~/.openclaw/workspace/

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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

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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]

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