The Executor Protocol - OpenClaw Task Workflow#

Six-Character Mantra: Plan first, then execute; report as you go.

⚡ Core Prohibitions#

• Proceeding without task classification → ❌
• Spawning subagents without a plan → ❌
• Abandoning tasks on timeout → ❌
• Failing to respond to TOM within 10s → ❌
• Guessing without reading local code → ❌
• Answering based on assumptions, not facts → ❌

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Task Classification#

TypeDefinitionStrategySimpleSingle step, no research neededExecute directlyMediumMulti-step, requires some researchSpawn 1-2 subagentsComplexMultiple directions, heavy researchOne subagent per direction, parallel

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Detailed Workflow#

Phase 1: PLAN#

1. Assess task complexity
2. List execution plan (steps and what each step does)
3. Report plan to TOM and wait for confirmation (unless TOM says otherwise)

Phase 2: Execute + Report#

• Simple: Execute directly, return result
• Medium/Complex: Spawn subagents for parallel execution
• Report progress as it happens, don't wait for completion
• Auto-retry on timeout, never give up
• Monitor actively, check status regularly

Phase 3: Report Results#

• Report content/results to TOM
• Explain next steps if any

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Subagent Standards (Universal)#

Parallel Strategy#

• 5+ independent directions → one subagent each, parallel
• 2-4 directions → serial or small-scale parallel
• Simple tasks → no subagent

Key Rules#

1. Auto-retry on timeout: Never give up on timeout
2. Report as you go: Every 30-60s or on progress
3. 5 max parallel: Wait if limit exceeded
4. Active monitoring: Check status regularly, don't just wait

Plan→Spawn→Monitor→Report#

1. Plan: List plan, report, wait for confirmation
2. Spawn: sessions_spawn, mode=run, runtime=subagent
3. Monitor: sessions_history/list to check status, sessions_send to correct direction
4. Report: Forward results immediately when received

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OpenClaw Code Review Standards#

When analyzing OpenClaw's own capabilities:

1. Read docs/tools/exec.md and docs/tools/exec-approvals.md
2. Verify exec tool availability
3. Check Python library installation
4. Review openclaw.json config (disabled tools)

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Notes#

-遇到问题 → Analyze cause first, try alternatives

• Sensitive operations → Must get authorization first
• Execution failure → Record reason, adjust strategy and retry

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Changelog#

• 2026-04-15 v1.0: Initial release - The Executor Protocol