openclaw-contributor

name	openclaw-contributor
description	Contribute to the OpenClaw core repository: pick issues, inspect bundled skills, make focused changes, run the right level of validation, and open a clean PR. Use when working specifically on openclaw/openclaw or a fork. Not for generic git usage or unrelated GitHub repos.
metadata	{"openclaw":{"emoji":"🦞","requires":{"bins":["gh","git","pnpm"]},"install":[{"id":"brew-gh","kind":"brew","formula":"gh","bins":["gh"],"label":"Install GitHub CLI (brew)"}]}}

OpenClaw Contributor

Use this skill when contributing directly to openclaw/openclaw or a fork of it.

When to Use

✅ USE this skill when:

• fixing an OpenClaw bug or implementing an OpenClaw feature
• adding or improving a bundled skill under skills/
• preparing a clean fork → branch → commit → PR workflow
• checking nearby code, docs, tests, and issue context before changing anything
• coordinating multiple agents for research, implementation, and PR polish

When NOT to Use

❌ DON'T use this skill when:

• doing generic local git work unrelated to OpenClaw
• working on a different repository with different contribution norms
• using GitHub only for issues/PR status → use the github skill
• doing broad autonomous issue farming across many repos → use gh-issues

Quick Orientation

Important paths in the OpenClaw repo:

skills/            # bundled skills
packages/          # package sources (if present in current layout)
docs/              # documentation
scripts/           # build, release, and utility scripts
package.json       # scripts: build, lint, test, dev

Useful first checks:

# Verify auth
gh auth status

# See open issues
gh issue list --repo openclaw/openclaw --state open --limit 30

# Inspect a bundled skill
ls skills/
sed -n '1,160p' skills/github/SKILL.md

# See repo scripts
node -e "const p=require('./package.json'); console.log(p.packageManager); console.log(p.scripts)"

Standard Contribution Flow

1. Start from a fork

gh repo fork openclaw/openclaw --clone
cd openclaw

git remote add upstream https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw.git 2>/dev/null || true
git fetch upstream

2. Create a focused branch

git checkout -b feat/my-change
# or
# git checkout -b fix/my-change
# git checkout -b docs/my-change

3. Inspect before editing

Before changing anything:

• read the nearest comparable file first
• preserve the existing repo tone and structure
• keep skill directories minimal: normally just SKILL.md, plus scripts/ or references/ only when truly needed
• do not add extra files like README.md, CHANGELOG.md, or installation guides inside a skill directory

For skill work specifically:

sed -n '1,200p' skills/skill-creator/SKILL.md
sed -n '1,200p' skills/github/SKILL.md

4. Make the smallest useful change

Guidelines:

• prefer one clear improvement over a grab-bag PR
• match existing command style and frontmatter format
• avoid hype, speculation, or unverifiable claims in bundled content
• if adding a skill, make the description triggerable and specific
• if instructions vary by scenario, keep the overview in SKILL.md and move heavy detail to references/

5. Run the right level of validation

For docs / markdown / skill-only changes:

git diff --check

For runtime / CLI / core changes:

pnpm lint
pnpm test

For targeted investigation before full test runs:

node -e "const p=require('./package.json'); console.log(p.scripts.test)"

Do not claim tests were run if they were not.

6. Commit clearly

git add <files>
git commit -m "feat(skills): add openclaw contributor skill"

Good commit / PR title patterns:

• feat(skills): add openclaw contributor skill
• fix(gateway): reduce repeated file read context bloat
• docs(skills): clarify bundled skill structure

7. Push and open PR

git push -u origin HEAD

gh pr create \
  --repo openclaw/openclaw \
  --title "feat(skills): add openclaw contributor skill" \
  --body-file .github/pr-body.md

If no PR body file exists, write one first.

PR Body Template

Create a short, factual body:

## Summary
- add a bundled `openclaw-contributor` skill
- document repo-specific contribution workflow for OpenClaw contributors

## Why
OpenClaw ships many bundled skills but does not yet include one focused on contributing back to the OpenClaw repo itself.

## Validation
- reviewed nearby bundled skills for structure and tone
- ran `git diff --check`

Only mention pnpm lint / pnpm test if you actually ran them.

Multi-Agent Pattern

For larger changes, split work into three roles:

1. Researcher — issue triage, codebase reconnaissance, similar-file scan
2. Implementer — smallest correct patch, local validation
3. Reviewer — PR body, risk scan, regression checklist

Keep one agent responsible for final judgment and commit quality.

Handy Commands

# Find candidate issues
gh issue list --repo openclaw/openclaw --state open --limit 50

# View one issue
gh issue view 12345 --repo openclaw/openclaw

# See changed files before commit
git diff --stat

# Check branch state
git status --short

# See recent upstream changes
git log --oneline --decorate --graph -20

Notes

• Bundled skills should feel production-ready, not personal.
• Prefer repo-specific accuracy over generic open-source advice.
• If a contribution depends on undocumented assumptions, open an issue instead of guessing.
• When in doubt, ship the smaller PR first.