agent-council

name	agent-council
description	Complete toolkit for creating autonomous AI agents and managing Discord channels for OpenClaw. Use when setting up multi-agent systems, creating new agents, or managing Discord channel organization.

Agent Council

Complete toolkit for creating and managing autonomous AI agents with Discord integration for OpenClaw.

What This Skill Does

Agent Creation:

• Creates autonomous AI agents with self-contained workspaces
• Generates SOUL.md (personality & responsibilities)
• Generates HEARTBEAT.md (cron execution logic)
• Sets up memory system (hybrid architecture)
• Configures gateway automatically
• Binds agents to Discord channels (optional)
• Sets up daily memory cron jobs (optional)

Discord Channel Management:

• Creates Discord channels via API
• Configures OpenClaw gateway allowlists
• Sets channel-specific system prompts
• Renames channels and updates references
• Optional workspace file search

Installation

# Install from ClawHub
clawhub install agent-council

# Or manual install
cp -r . ~/.openclaw/skills/agent-council/
openclaw gateway config.patch --raw '{
  "skills": {
    "entries": {
      "agent-council": {"enabled": true}
    }
  }
}'

Part 1: Agent Creation

Quick Start

scripts/create-agent.sh \
  --name "Watson" \
  --id "watson" \
  --emoji "🔬" \
  --specialty "Research and analysis specialist" \
  --model "anthropic/claude-opus-4-5" \
  --workspace "$HOME/agents/watson" \
  --discord-channel "1234567890"

Workflow

1. Gather Requirements

Ask the user:

• Agent name (e.g., "Watson")
• Agent ID (lowercase, hyphenated, e.g., "watson")
• Emoji (e.g., "🔬")
• Specialty (what the agent does)
• Model (which LLM to use)
• Workspace (where to create agent files)
• Discord channel ID (optional)

2. Run Creation Script

scripts/create-agent.sh \
  --name "Agent Name" \
  --id "agent-id" \
  --emoji "🤖" \
  --specialty "What this agent does" \
  --model "provider/model-name" \
  --workspace "/path/to/workspace" \
  --discord-channel "1234567890"  # Optional

The script automatically:

• ✅ Creates workspace with memory subdirectory
• ✅ Generates SOUL.md and HEARTBEAT.md
• ✅ Updates gateway config (preserves existing agents)
• ✅ Adds Discord channel binding (if specified)
• ✅ Restarts gateway to apply changes
• ✅ Prompts for daily memory cron setup

3. Customize Agent

After creation:

• SOUL.md - Refine personality, responsibilities, boundaries
• HEARTBEAT.md - Add periodic checks and cron logic
• Workspace files - Add agent-specific configuration

Agent Architecture

Self-contained structure:

agents/
├── watson/
│   ├── SOUL.md              # Personality and responsibilities
│   ├── HEARTBEAT.md         # Cron execution logic
│   ├── memory/              # Agent-specific memory
│   │   ├── 2026-02-01.md   # Daily memory logs
│   │   └── 2026-02-02.md
│   └── .openclaw/
│       └── skills/          # Agent-specific skills (optional)

Memory system:

• Agent-specific memory: <workspace>/memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md
• Shared memory access: Agents can read shared workspace
• Daily updates: Optional cron job for summaries

Cron jobs: If your agent needs scheduled tasks:

1. Create HEARTBEAT.md with execution logic
2. Add cron jobs with --session <agent-id>
3. Document in SOUL.md

Examples

Research agent:

scripts/create-agent.sh \
  --name "Watson" \
  --id "watson" \
  --emoji "🔬" \
  --specialty "Deep research and competitive analysis" \
  --model "anthropic/claude-opus-4-5" \
  --workspace "$HOME/agents/watson" \
  --discord-channel "1234567890"

Image generation agent:

scripts/create-agent.sh \
  --name "Picasso" \
  --id "picasso" \
  --emoji "🎨" \
  --specialty "Image generation and editing specialist" \
  --model "google/gemini-3-flash-preview" \
  --workspace "$HOME/agents/picasso" \
  --discord-channel "9876543210"

Health tracking agent:

scripts/create-agent.sh \
  --name "Nurse Joy" \
  --id "nurse-joy" \
  --emoji "💊" \
  --specialty "Health tracking and wellness monitoring" \
  --model "anthropic/claude-opus-4-5" \
  --workspace "$HOME/agents/nurse-joy" \
  --discord-channel "5555555555"

Part 2: Discord Channel Management

Channel Creation

Quick Start

python3 scripts/setup-channel.py \
  --name research \
  --context "Deep research and competitive analysis"

Workflow

1. Run setup script:

python3 scripts/setup-channel.py \
  --name <channel-name> \
  --context "<channel-purpose>" \
  [--category-id <discord-category-id>]

2. Apply gateway config (command shown by script):

openclaw gateway config.patch --raw '{"channels": {...}}'

Options

With category:

python3 scripts/setup-channel.py \
  --name research \
  --context "Deep research and competitive analysis" \
  --category-id "1234567890"

Use existing channel:

python3 scripts/setup-channel.py \
  --name personal-finance \
  --id 1466184336901537897 \
  --context "Personal finance management"

Channel Renaming

Quick Start

python3 scripts/rename-channel.py \
  --id 1234567890 \
  --old-name old-name \
  --new-name new-name

Workflow

1. Run rename script:

python3 scripts/rename-channel.py \
  --id <channel-id> \
  --old-name <old-name> \
  --new-name <new-name> \
  [--workspace <workspace-dir>]

2. Apply gateway config if systemPrompt needs updating (shown by script)

3. Commit workspace file changes (if --workspace used)

With Workspace Search

python3 scripts/rename-channel.py \
  --id 1234567890 \
  --old-name old-name \
  --new-name new-name \
  --workspace "$HOME/my-workspace"

This will:

• Rename Discord channel via API
• Update gateway config systemPrompt
• Search and update workspace files
• Report files changed for git commit

Complete Multi-Agent Setup

Full workflow from scratch:

# 1. Create Discord channel
python3 scripts/setup-channel.py \
  --name research \
  --context "Deep research and competitive analysis" \
  --category-id "1234567890"

# (Note the channel ID from output)

# 2. Apply gateway config for channel
openclaw gateway config.patch --raw '{"channels": {...}}'

# 3. Create agent bound to that channel
scripts/create-agent.sh \
  --name "Watson" \
  --id "watson" \
  --emoji "🔬" \
  --specialty "Deep research and competitive analysis" \
  --model "anthropic/claude-opus-4-5" \
  --workspace "$HOME/agents/watson" \
  --discord-channel "1234567890"

# Done! Agent is created and bound to the channel

Configuration

Discord Category ID

Option 1: Command line

python3 scripts/setup-channel.py \
  --name channel-name \
  --context "Purpose" \
  --category-id "1234567890"

Option 2: Environment variable

export DISCORD_CATEGORY_ID="1234567890"
python3 scripts/setup-channel.py --name channel-name --context "Purpose"

Finding Discord IDs

Enable Developer Mode:

• Settings → Advanced → Developer Mode

Copy IDs:

• Right-click channel → Copy ID
• Right-click category → Copy ID

Scripts Reference

create-agent.sh

Arguments:

• --name (required) - Agent name
• --id (required) - Agent ID (lowercase, hyphenated)
• --emoji (required) - Agent emoji
• --specialty (required) - What the agent does
• --model (required) - LLM to use (provider/model-name)
• --workspace (required) - Where to create agent files
• --discord-channel (optional) - Discord channel ID to bind

Output:

• Creates agent workspace
• Generates SOUL.md and HEARTBEAT.md
• Updates gateway config
• Optionally creates daily memory cron

setup-channel.py

Arguments:

• --name (required) - Channel name
• --context (required) - Channel purpose/context
• --id (optional) - Existing channel ID
• --category-id (optional) - Discord category ID

Output:

• Creates Discord channel (if doesn't exist)
• Generates gateway config.patch command

rename-channel.py

Arguments:

• --id (required) - Channel ID
• --old-name (required) - Current channel name
• --new-name (required) - New channel name
• --workspace (optional) - Workspace directory to search

Output:

• Renames Discord channel
• Updates gateway systemPrompt (if needed)
• Lists updated files (if workspace search enabled)

Gateway Integration

This skill integrates with OpenClaw's gateway configuration:

Agents:

{
  "agents": {
    "list": [
      {
        "id": "watson",
        "name": "Watson",
        "workspace": "/path/to/agents/watson",
        "model": {
          "primary": "anthropic/claude-opus-4-5"
        },
        "identity": {
          "name": "Watson",
          "emoji": "🔬"
        }
      }
    ]
  }
}

Bindings:

{
  "bindings": [
    {
      "agentId": "watson",
      "match": {
        "channel": "discord",
        "peer": {
          "kind": "channel",
          "id": "1234567890"
        }
      }
    }
  ]
}

Channels:

{
  "channels": {
    "discord": {
      "guilds": {
        "YOUR_GUILD_ID": {
          "channels": {
            "1234567890": {
              "allow": true,
              "requireMention": false,
              "systemPrompt": "Deep research and competitive analysis"
            }
          }
        }
      }
    }
  }
}

Agent Coordination

Your main agent coordinates with specialized agents using OpenClaw's built-in session management tools.

List Active Agents

See all active agents and their recent activity:

sessions_list({
  kinds: ["agent"],
  limit: 10,
  messageLimit: 3  // Show last 3 messages per agent
})

Send Messages to Agents

Direct communication:

sessions_send({
  label: "watson",  // Agent ID
  message: "Research the competitive landscape for X"
})

Wait for response:

sessions_send({
  label: "watson",
  message: "What did you find about X?",
  timeoutSeconds: 300  // Wait up to 5 minutes
})

Spawn Sub-Agent Tasks

For complex work, spawn a sub-agent in an isolated session:

sessions_spawn({
  agentId: "watson",  // Optional: use specific agent
  task: "Research competitive landscape for X and write a report",
  model: "anthropic/claude-opus-4-5",  // Optional: override model
  runTimeoutSeconds: 3600,  // 1 hour max
  cleanup: "delete"  // Delete session after completion
})

The sub-agent will:

1. Execute the task in isolation
2. Announce completion back to your session
3. Self-delete (if cleanup: "delete")

Check Agent History

Review what an agent has been working on:

sessions_history({
  sessionKey: "watson-session-key",
  limit: 50
})

Coordination Patterns

1. Direct delegation (Discord-bound agents):

• User messages agent's Discord channel
• Agent responds directly in that channel
• Main agent doesn't need to coordinate

2. Programmatic delegation (main agent → sub-agent):

// Main agent delegates task
sessions_send({
  label: "watson",
  message: "Research X and update memory/research-X.md"
})

// Watson works independently, updates files
// Main agent checks later or Watson reports back

3. Spawn for complex tasks:

// For longer-running, isolated work
sessions_spawn({
  agentId: "watson",
  task: "Deep dive: analyze competitors A, B, C. Write report to reports/competitors.md",
  runTimeoutSeconds: 7200,
  cleanup: "keep"  // Keep session for review
})

4. Agent-to-agent communication: Agents can send messages to each other:

// In Watson's context
sessions_send({
  label: "picasso",
  message: "Create an infographic from data in reports/research.md"
})

Best Practices

When to use Discord bindings:

• ✅ Domain-specific agents (research, health, images)
• ✅ User wants direct access to agent
• ✅ Agent should respond to channel activity

When to use sessions_send:

• ✅ Programmatic coordination
• ✅ Main agent delegates to specialists
• ✅ Need response in same session

When to use sessions_spawn:

• ✅ Long-running tasks (>5 minutes)
• ✅ Complex multi-step work
• ✅ Want isolation from main session
• ✅ Background processing

Example: Research Workflow

// Main agent receives request: "Research competitor X"

// 1. Check if Watson is active
const agents = sessions_list({ kinds: ["agent"] })

// 2. Delegate to Watson
sessions_send({
  label: "watson",
  message: "Research competitor X: products, pricing, market position. Write findings to memory/research-X.md"
})

// 3. Watson works independently:
//    - Searches web
//    - Analyzes data
//    - Updates memory file
//    - Reports back when done

// 4. Main agent retrieves results
const results = Read("agents/watson/memory/research-X.md")

// 5. Share with user
"Research complete! Watson found: [summary]"

Communication Flow

Main Agent (You) ↔ Specialized Agents:

User Request
    ↓
Main Agent (Claire)
    ↓
sessions_send("watson", "Research X")
    ↓
Watson Agent
    ↓
- Uses web_search
- Uses web_fetch
- Updates memory files
    ↓
Responds to main session
    ↓
Main Agent synthesizes and replies

Discord-Bound Agents:

User posts in #research channel
    ↓
Watson Agent (bound to channel)
    ↓
- Sees message directly
- Responds in channel
- No main agent involvement

Hybrid Approach:

User: "Research X" (main channel)
    ↓
Main Agent delegates to Watson
    ↓
Watson researches and reports back
    ↓
Main Agent: "Done! Watson found..."
    ↓
User: "Show me more details"
    ↓
Main Agent: "@watson post your full findings in #research"
    ↓
Watson posts detailed report in #research channel

Troubleshooting

Agent Creation Issues:

"Agent not appearing in Discord"

• Verify channel ID is correct
• Check gateway config bindings section
• Restart gateway: openclaw gateway restart

"Model errors"

• Verify model name format: provider/model-name
• Check model is available in gateway config

Channel Management Issues:

"Failed to create channel"

• Check bot has "Manage Channels" permission
• Verify bot token in OpenClaw config
• Ensure category ID is correct (if specified)

"Category not found"

• Verify category ID is correct
• Check bot has access to category
• Try without category ID (creates uncategorized)

"Channel already exists"

• Use --id <channel-id> to configure existing channel
• Or script will auto-detect and configure it

Use Cases

• Domain specialists - Research, health, finance, coding agents
• Creative agents - Image generation, writing, design
• Task automation - Scheduled monitoring, reports, alerts
• Multi-agent systems - Coordinated team of specialized agents
• Discord organization - Structured channels for different agent domains

Advanced: Multi-Agent Coordination

For larger multi-agent systems:

Coordination Patterns:

• Main agent delegates tasks to specialists
• Agents report progress and request help
• Shared knowledge base for common information
• Cross-agent communication via sessions_send

Task Management:

• Integrate with task tracking systems
• Route work based on agent specialty
• Track assignments and completions

Documentation:

• Maintain agent roster in main workspace
• Document delegation patterns
• Keep runbooks for common workflows

Best Practices

1. Organize channels in categories - Group related agent channels
2. Use descriptive channel names - Clear purpose from the name
3. Set specific system prompts - Give each channel clear context
4. Document agent responsibilities - Keep SOUL.md updated
5. Set up memory cron jobs - For agents with ongoing work
6. Test agents individually - Before integrating into team
7. Update gateway config safely - Always use config.patch, never manual edits

Requirements

Bot Permissions:

• Manage Channels - To create/rename channels
• View Channels - To read channel list
• Send Messages - To post in channels

System:

• OpenClaw installed and configured
• Node.js/npm via nvm
• Python 3.6+ (standard library only)
• Discord bot token (for channel management)

See Also

• OpenClaw documentation: https://docs.openclaw.ai
• Multi-agent patterns: https://docs.openclaw.ai/agents
• Discord bot setup: https://docs.openclaw.ai/channels/discord