OpenClaw Backup & Restore

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name: openclaw-backup-restore

description: Backup and restore OpenClaw configuration, agents, sessions, and workspace to/from a private Git repository. Use when the user wants to manually trigger a backup, migrate to a new machine, or restore from a previous state.

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# OpenClaw Backup & Restore

A specialized skill for managing the lifecycle of your OpenClaw data. This skill utilizes an external Git-managed backup directory to keep your production environment clean while ensuring full recoverability.

Strategy

1. **Isolation**: Git operations happen in a dedicated directory outside the live `.openclaw` runtime to avoid pollution.

2. **Minimalism**: Large `node_modules`, logs, and temporary files are excluded.

3. **Redundancy**: Regular backups can be scheduled via Cron.

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Setup

Before using this skill, you must set your private backup repository URL in `openclaw.json`. This URL is used by the scripts to push and pull data.

openclaw config set skills.entries.openclaw-backup-restore.env.OPENCLAW_BACKUP_REPO "git@github.com:your-username/your-repo.git"

How to Backup

To trigger a manual backup and sync to your remote repository:

1. The agent should execute the `backup.sh` script located within this skill's `scripts/` directory.

2. The script will:

- Read the repo URL from the OpenClaw config.

- Sync `${HOME}/.openclaw/` to `${HOME}/openclaw-backup/` using `rsync` (respecting `.gitignore`).

- Generate a readable commit summary from changed paths (for example workspace/config/runtime/memory).

- Commit and push to the remote `main` branch.

**Trigger Phrases**: "Backup OpenClaw now", "Sync my data to GitHub".

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How to Restore

To restore your environment on a new or existing machine:

1. Ensure your SSH key is added to your Git provider (e.g., GitHub).

2. The agent should execute the `restore.sh` script located within this skill's `scripts/` directory.

3. The process involves:

- Reading the repo URL from the OpenClaw config.

- Cloning or pulling the latest backup from the configured repository.

- Syncing files back to `${HOME}/.openclaw/`.

- Reinstalling node dependencies and running `openclaw doctor --yes` to fix environment paths.

4. **Restart the Gateway**: `openclaw gateway restart`.

**Trigger Phrases**: "Restore OpenClaw from backup", "Migrate my data".

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Technical Details

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Recovery Checklist

If restoring to a **completely new machine**:

1. Install OpenClaw CLI first.

2. Set the `OPENCLAW_BACKUP_REPO` config value.

3. Configure SSH access for your Git provider.

4. Run the restore script provided by this skill.

5. Run `openclaw onboard` if you need to re-install the daemon service.