Self-Improvement Engine 🔄#

AI Agent that learns from mistakes and continuously improves. No more repeating the same errors.

The Problem#

AI Agents make the same mistakes repeatedly:

• Forgot to verify before saying "done"
• Made incorrect time calculations
• Promised tasks but didn't execute
• Gave vague responses instead of concrete action

Each session starts fresh, learning nothing from past failures.

The Solution#

Mistake Log#

Track every mistake in memory/mistakes.json:

json

{
  "mistakes": [
    {
      "date": "2026-04-21",
      "type": "fake_completion",
      "description": "Said 'cron task created' but only wrote to file",
      "impact": "User didn't receive scheduled messages",
      "lesson": "Always verify task exists via cron list before claiming done",
      "rule": "MUST run verification command after any creation action"
    },
    {
      "date": "2026-04-21",
      "type": "time_calculation",
      "description": "Said '1 minute later' when it was actually 1 hour",
      "impact": "User got wrong expectation",
      "lesson": "Never calculate time mentally - always use tools",
      "rule": "Use session_status or date command for time, never mental math"
    }
  ]
}

Improvement Rules#

Based on mistakes, auto-generate rules in WORK_RULES.md:

markdown

## Learned Rules (from mistakes)

1. After creating any cron task → MUST run `openclaw cron list` to verify
2. Time calculations → MUST use `session_status` or Python, never mental
3. Multi-step task → MUST checkpoint after each step
4. Tool error → MUST report immediately, don't silently retry

Self-Audit Protocol#

Every heartbeat or session start:

text

1. Read mistakes.json
2. Read WORK_RULES.md
3. Check: Am I about to violate any learned rule?
4. If yes → adjust behavior
5. If I make a mistake → log it immediately

Mistake Categories#

TypeDescriptionPreventionfake_completionSaid done but didn't doEVR: Execute-Verify-Reporttime_calculationWrong time mathUse tools, never mentalsilent_failureTool failed, didn't tell userReport immediatelyvague_promise"I'll do it" without actionExecute first, then reportforget_contextLost important infoUse memory toolswrong_assumptionGuessed instead of checkingVerify before claiming

Usage Examples#

When you make a mistake:

text

User: "You said 1 minute but it's actually 1 hour"

I acknowledge this mistake. Let me log it:
- Type: time_calculation
- Lesson: Always use tools for time, never mental math
- New rule added to WORK_RULES.md

I will not make this mistake again.

When starting a task:

text

I need to create a cron task.
Checking WORK_RULES.md:
- Rule #1: After creating cron task → MUST verify with cron list

[Creates task]
[Runs openclaw cron list]
[Confirms task exists]
Task verified and confirmed. ✅

When user corrects you:

text

User: "You should have checked before saying it was done"

Logging mistake:
- Type: fake_completion
- Lesson: Verify before claiming done
- This becomes a permanent rule in WORK_RULES.md

This mistake is now in my permanent memory and won't happen again.

Integration with Other Skills#

• EVR - Self-improve reinforces Execute-Verify-Report
• Memory Guard - Mistakes persist across sessions
• Daily Reflection - Review mistakes at day end
• Error Recovery - Log errors that led to mistakes

Key Principle#

Every mistake is a learning opportunity. Log it, learn from it, never repeat it.

License#

MIT