Use Kova to test OpenClaw as users actually run it. Kova is not a unit-test runner and not an OCM test suite. OCM is the lab control plane; OpenClaw is the product under test.

Kova should produce evidence a maintainer can act on:

startup time, listening time, health readiness
gateway, CLI, package-manager, runtime-staging, plugin, browser, and provider CPU/RSS attribution
plugin load and missing dependency errors
dashboard/TUI/API responsiveness
agent turn breakdown: pre-provider OpenClaw time, provider time, post-provider time, cold/warm delta
provider failure containment: timeout, malformed response, streaming stall, recovery, leaked children, gateway health
repeat-run stats, baseline comparisons, and release gate verdicts

Do not overstate causality. If OpenClaw did not emit enough diagnostic spans, say Kova proved the outside-in timing but internal attribution is missing.

First Steps

Find Kova:

command -v kova || true
test -f bin/kova.mjs && node bin/kova.mjs version

Use kova when installed. Inside a Kova checkout, use:

node bin/kova.mjs <command>

Ensure OCM is available before real execution:

command -v ocm
ocm env list
ocm runtime list

If the ocm-operator skill is available, use it before running Kova scenarios that build runtimes, clone existing user envs, inspect services/logs, or clean up envs.

Set up Kova:

kova setup
kova self-check

For scripts/CI:

kova setup --ci --json
kova self-check --json

If using the repo checkout, replace kova with node bin/kova.mjs.

Install OCM Precisely

Kova real execution requires OCM. If OCM is missing, install it before running benchmarks:

command -v ocm || curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/shakkernerd/ocm/main/install.sh | bash
export PATH="$HOME/.local/bin:$PATH"
ocm --version
ocm env list
ocm runtime list

If installing Kova from its installer, OCM can be installed or required there:

curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/shakkernerd/Kova/main/install.sh | bash -s -- --install-ocm --require-ocm

For Codex agents working from this repo, use the repo-local OCM operating skill at .agents/skills/ocm-operator when direct OCM operations are needed.

Safety Rules

Prefer mock auth first. It isolates OpenClaw latency from provider latency.
Run live auth only as a separate lane and mark it environment-dependent.
Prefer local-build:<repo> for release-like validation of local OpenClaw source.
Do not use source/dev commands as proof a published package will work.
Do not mutate durable user envs directly. Use Kova clone/source flows.
Use --execute only when a real run is intended.
Keep failing envs only when inspection is needed; otherwise let Kova clean up.
Report OpenClaw failures as OpenClaw failures, not OCM failures, unless lab provisioning itself blocked the run.

OpenClaw Repo Handling

When the user asks to benchmark OpenClaw, first decide which OpenClaw source is under test:

Use the explicit repo path if the user gives one.
If the current directory is an OpenClaw checkout, use it.
If a nearby checkout exists, such as ../openclaw, use it only after confirming the path and commit.
If no checkout exists, clone a disposable copy into /tmp, not inside Kova:

repo="/tmp/kova-openclaw-$(date +%Y%m%d%H%M%S)"
git clone https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw.git "$repo"
git -C "$repo" checkout main
git -C "$repo" pull --ff-only

Before benchmarking a checkout, record:

git -C "$repo" status --short
git -C "$repo" rev-parse --abbrev-ref HEAD
git -C "$repo" rev-parse --short HEAD
git -C "$repo" log -1 --format='%h %ci %s'

Do not mutate a user working tree unless the user asked for that. For benchmarking moving targets, prefer disposable clones or worktrees under /tmp/kova-openclaw-*.

Use release-shaped Kova targets for local source:

kova matrix run --profile diagnostic --target local-build:"$repo" --execute --json

Do not use OpenClaw source/dev commands as proof that a package or release will work. Source commands can hide missing package files, prepack failures, bundled extension issues, or runtime dependency layout problems.

Build Blocker Triage

A failed local-build:<repo> run is not automatically a finished benchmark. The agent must determine whether the failure is:

an OpenClaw packaging/prepack bug
a missing dependency/install problem
stale local artifacts
a dirty checkout problem
a platform/toolchain problem
a Kova/OCM harness problem

If Kova reports a build/prepack blocker, inspect and reproduce the failing step inside the OpenClaw repo before returning:

git -C "$repo" status --short
node --version
pnpm --version || corepack enable
pnpm -C "$repo" install --frozen-lockfile
pnpm -C "$repo" build
pnpm -C "$repo" pack --pack-destination /tmp/kova-openclaw-pack-check

If the Kova/OCM error names a specific script, run that script directly too:

pnpm -C "$repo" <script-name>

Examples:

pnpm -C "$repo" canvas:a2ui:bundle
pnpm -C "$repo" runtime:postbuild
pnpm -C "$repo" test-built-bundled-channel-entry-smoke

Use the direct script result to classify the issue:

Direct script fails too: OpenClaw script/build bug. Report exact command and error.
Direct script passes but pnpm pack or OCM runtime build-local fails: OpenClaw packaging/prepack path bug. Report that difference.
pnpm install fails: dependency/toolchain problem. Report lockfile, Node, pnpm, and first failing package.
Kova cannot create/remove envs or runtimes after OpenClaw packs correctly: likely harness/OCM problem. Report as BLOCKED with OCM evidence.

Do not stop at "build failed" when a simple build step fails. Try to isolate the smallest failing OpenClaw command and include the exact failure line. A blocked benchmark is acceptable only after the blocker is classified.

If stale generated artifacts are plausible, clean only disposable clones:

git -C "$repo" clean -fdX
pnpm -C "$repo" install --frozen-lockfile

Never run git clean, git reset, or destructive cleanup in a user's dirty working checkout unless explicitly approved.

How To Choose Scenarios From User Intent

When the user describes "what kind of thing to test", map the intent to Kova scenarios or tags. Prefer the narrowest command that answers the request. Use local-build:<repo> when testing a local OpenClaw checkout and runtime:stable, npm:<version>, or channel:<name> when testing installed/published behavior.

Before running unfamiliar requests, inspect the registry:

kova plan --json
kova matrix plan --profile smoke --target runtime:stable --json

Intent map:

release readiness / can we ship
  profile: release
  command: kova matrix run --profile release --target local-build:<repo> --execute --gate --json

local source as real release package
  profile: diagnostic
  command: kova matrix run --profile diagnostic --target local-build:<repo> --execute --json

quick confidence / smoke
  profile: smoke
  command: kova matrix run --profile smoke --target <target> --execute --json

startup / gateway readiness / memory / CPU
  scenarios: release-runtime-startup, gateway-performance
  command: kova run --target <target> --scenario gateway-performance --execute --json

deep CPU/heap/function profiling
  scenarios: gateway-performance, agent-cold-warm-message, dashboard-session-send-turn
  command: kova run --target <target> --scenario gateway-performance --execute --deep-profile --json

slow first reply / agent latency
  scenarios: dashboard-session-send-turn, agent-cold-warm-message, agent-gateway-rpc-turn
  command: run dashboard-session-send-turn first, then agent-cold-warm-message

dashboard messaging
  scenarios: dashboard-readiness, dashboard-session-send-turn
  command: kova run --target <target> --scenario dashboard-session-send-turn --execute --json

TUI input / terminal message path
  scenarios: tui-responsiveness, tui-message-turn
  command: kova run --target <target> --scenario tui-message-turn --execute --json

OpenAI-compatible API path
  scenario: openai-compatible-turn
  command: kova run --target <target> --scenario openai-compatible-turn --execute --json

plugins overall
  tag: plugins
  command: kova matrix run --profile release --target <target> --include tag:plugins --execute --json

bundled plugin startup / missing runtime deps
  scenarios: bundled-plugin-startup, bundled-runtime-deps, plugin-missing-runtime-deps
  command: kova run --target <target> --scenario bundled-runtime-deps --execute --json

external plugin lifecycle
  scenarios: plugin-external-install, plugin-lifecycle, plugin-update, plugin-remove
  command: kova matrix run --profile release --target <target> --include scenario:plugin-lifecycle --execute --json

bad plugin manifest
  scenario: plugin-bad-manifest
  command: kova run --target <target> --scenario plugin-bad-manifest --execute --json

provider timeout / malformed / streaming stall / recovery
  tag: provider-failure
  command: kova matrix run --profile release --target <target> --include tag:provider-failure --execute --json

model/provider listing or auth states
  scenarios: provider-models, agent-auth-missing
  command: kova run --target <target> --scenario provider-models --execute --json

existing user upgrade
  scenarios: upgrade-existing-user, upgrade-from-2026-4-20, upgrade-from-2026-4-24
  command: kova run --scenario upgrade-existing-user --source-env <env> --from npm:<old> --target npm:<new> --execute --json

upgrade stable channel to beta/local build
  scenarios: upgrade-stable-channel-to-beta, upgrade-stable-channel-to-local-build
  command: kova matrix run --profile channel-upgrade --from channel:stable --target channel:beta --execute --json

workspace/filesystem pressure
  scenarios: workspace-scan-pressure, gateway-performance with slow-filesystem state
  command: kova run --target <target> --scenario workspace-scan-pressure --execute --json

long-running memory/session pressure
  profile: soak
  scenarios: soak, agent-long-session
  command: kova matrix run --profile soak --target <target> --execute --json

browser automation
  scenario: browser-automation-smoke
  command: kova run --target <target> --scenario browser-automation-smoke --execute --json

MCP runtime
  scenario: mcp-runtime-start-stop
  command: kova run --target <target> --scenario mcp-runtime-start-stop --execute --json

media understanding timeout
  scenario: media-understanding-timeout
  command: kova run --target <target> --scenario media-understanding-timeout --execute --json

network offline containment
  scenario: agent-network-offline
  command: kova run --target <target> --scenario agent-network-offline --execute --json

If the user gives several intents, prefer a matrix with --include filters when possible. If no existing scenario matches, say the current Kova registry does not cover that intent and propose the closest scenario or a new scenario name.

Core Workflows

Benchmark a local OpenClaw checkout like a release

Use this first when validating a branch or commit:

kova matrix run \
  --profile diagnostic \
  --target local-build:/path/to/openclaw \
  --execute \
  --json

This covers release-shaped packaging, startup, runtime deps, bundled plugins, gateway readiness, dashboard/API/agent surfaces, timelines when available, and resource attribution.

Fast smoke against an existing runtime

kova matrix run \
  --profile smoke \
  --target runtime:stable \
  --execute \
  --json

Use this for quick confidence when an OCM runtime already exists.

Release gate

kova matrix run \
  --profile release \
  --target local-build:/path/to/openclaw \
  --execute \
  --gate \
  --json

Gate verdicts are SHIP, DO_NOT_SHIP, PARTIAL, or BLOCKED. A partial filtered run can reject a release but cannot approve the whole release.

Investigate slow OpenClaw replies

Run both dashboard and CLI agent paths:

kova run \
  --target local-build:/path/to/openclaw \
  --scenario dashboard-session-send-turn \
  --execute \
  --json

kova run \
  --target local-build:/path/to/openclaw \
  --scenario agent-cold-warm-message \
  --execute \
  --json

Look for:

total agent turn time
pre-provider OpenClaw time
provider duration / first byte / final response
post-provider cleanup
cold vs warm delta
gateway health during and after the turn
leaked child processes
OpenClaw timeline spans if available

If provider time is tiny and pre-provider time dominates, report that OpenClaw delayed before provider work.

Provider failure containment

kova matrix run \
  --profile release \
  --target runtime:stable \
  --include tag:provider-failure \
  --execute \
  --json

This exercises slow provider, timeout, malformed response, streaming stall, concurrent pressure, and recovery scenarios. Verify the gateway remains healthy and child processes do not leak.

Existing-user upgrade

kova run \
  --scenario upgrade-existing-user \
  --source-env <existing-env-name> \
  --from npm:<old-version> \
  --target npm:<new-version> \
  --execute \
  --json

Use durable envs only as clone sources. Never mutate the source env directly.

Repeat benchmarks and baselines

kova matrix run \
  --profile smoke \
  --target local-build:/path/to/openclaw \
  --repeat 3 \
  --execute \
  --json

Only save a baseline after a human reviews a passing, stable run:

kova matrix run \
  --profile smoke \
  --target local-build:/path/to/openclaw \
  --repeat 3 \
  --execute \
  --save-baseline \
  --reviewed-good \
  --json

Use baseline comparisons to catch startup, RSS, CPU, event-loop, runtime-deps, and agent-latency regressions.

Benchmark a time window or commit range

When the user asks to benchmark "between", "since", "before/after", "last N commits", "from date A to date B", or "over a period", produce a comparison. Do not only report separate runs.

Required flow:

Identify the baseline commit and latest/end commit.
Run the same Kova scenario/profile on both commits.
Use the same machine, auth mode, profile, scenario/state, target style, and --repeat count.
Compare the generated JSON reports.
Report deltas and verdict.

Use disposable OpenClaw worktrees or clones:

base_repo="/tmp/kova-openclaw-base-<shortsha>"
head_repo="/tmp/kova-openclaw-head-<shortsha>"
git clone <openclaw-remote-or-source> "$base_repo"
git clone <openclaw-remote-or-source> "$head_repo"
git -C "$base_repo" checkout <baseline-sha>
git -C "$head_repo" checkout <head-sha>

Run comparable Kova commands:

kova run \
  --target local-build:"$base_repo" \
  --scenario gateway-performance \
  --state many-bundled-plugins \
  --repeat 3 \
  --execute \
  --json

kova run \
  --target local-build:"$head_repo" \
  --scenario gateway-performance \
  --state many-bundled-plugins \
  --repeat 3 \
  --execute \
  --json

kova report compare reports/<baseline>.json reports/<latest>.json --json

The final answer must include comparison lines such as:

Metric                    Baseline     Latest       Delta
health ready median       2625ms       3010ms       +14.7%
listening median          2534ms       2810ms       +10.9%
gateway RSS median        594.9MB      650.2MB      +9.3%
total peak RSS median     1088.1MB     1420.5MB     +30.5%
CPU max median            131.8%       180.0%       +36.6%
event-loop max median     111.1ms      205.0ms      +84.5%

If one side cannot build or run, say the comparison is blocked and why:

Comparison: BLOCKED
Baseline ran, latest did not reach gateway startup.
Latest blocker: OpenClaw release-shaped prepack failed in canvas:a2ui:bundle.
Meaning: latest is not benchmarkable through the release-shaped path, which is
a release blocker before performance can be compared.

Do not present baseline numbers as a comparison when the latest side did not run. Classify that as "benchmarkability regression" or "comparison blocked", then include the blocker evidence and report paths.

Deep diagnostics

Use only when investigating a real performance or resource issue:

kova run \
  --target local-build:/path/to/openclaw \
  --scenario gateway-performance \
  --execute \
  --deep-profile \
  --json

Deep profiling can collect Node CPU/heap/trace artifacts, heap snapshots, OpenClaw timeline envs, diagnostic reports, and denser resource samples.

Targets

npm:<version>              published OpenClaw release
channel:<name>             channel such as stable or beta
runtime:<name>             existing OCM runtime
local-build:<repo-path>    local OpenClaw checkout built as release-shaped runtime

Prefer local-build:<repo> for branch/release validation. Prefer npm:<version> or channel:<name> for published-release behavior.

Profiles

smoke        fast confidence over core product paths
diagnostic   local-build diagnostics and OpenClaw timeline expectations
release      ship/no-ship gate coverage
soak         long-running pressure and stability
exhaustive   broad validation; use --allow-exhaustive for execution

Use filters for focused slices:

kova matrix run \
  --profile release \
  --target local-build:/path/to/openclaw \
  --include tag:plugins \
  --exclude state:broken-plugin-deps \
  --execute \
  --json

Filters accept scenario:<id>, state:<id>, tag:<tag>, or a bare scenario/state/tag value.

Report Handling

After every run, capture:

Markdown report path
JSON report path
bundle path
Kova version
OpenClaw target and SHA/version
OS, arch, CPU/RAM if available, Node version
auth mode: mock or live
whether envs/runtimes were cleaned up or retained

Use report helpers:

kova report summarize reports/<run>.json
kova report paste reports/<run>.json
kova report bundle reports/<run>.json
kova report compare reports/<baseline>.json reports/<current>.json

For user-facing replies, lead with concise findings:

Verdict: FAIL
OpenClaw target: local-build:<repo> @ <sha>
Key evidence:
- startup ready in 3.0s, gateway RSS 631 MB
- agent turn 9.2s; pre-provider 8.9s; provider 1ms
- missing dependency: @homebridge/ciao from bundled bonjour
- leaked browser-sidecar after dashboard turn
Artifacts:
- Markdown: ...
- JSON: ...
- Bundle: ...

Do not paste noisy stdout unless the user asks. Use exact error lines and metrics, not vague summaries.

Cleanup Etiquette

Benchmark work should leave the machine clean unless the user asks to retain artifacts.

After every executed run:

ocm env list | rg 'kova-|bench-' || true
ocm runtime list | rg 'kova-local|bench-' || true

Remove Kova-owned leftovers:

kova cleanup envs --execute
ocm env destroy <kova-env> --yes
ocm runtime remove <kova-runtime>

Remove disposable OpenClaw clones/worktrees created for the benchmark:

rm -rf /tmp/kova-openclaw-*

Keep report artifacts by default. They are evidence. In the final response, state whether cleanup removed temporary envs/runtimes/clones or whether anything was intentionally retained.

Repo-Local Skills

This repo carries the skills under .agents/skills/:

.agents/skills/kova-operator
.agents/skills/ocm-operator

Use kova-operator for Kova benchmark selection, execution, and reporting. Use ocm-operator when direct OCM env/runtime/service/log operations are needed.

name	kova-operator
description	Kova/OpenClaw validation: benchmarks, release gates, scenarios, perf reports.

Kova Operator

Mission