capability-evolver

name	capability-evolver
description	A self-evolution engine for AI agents. Analyzes runtime history to identify improvements and applies protocol-constrained evolution.
tags	["meta","ai","self-improvement","core"]

🧬 Capability Evolver

"Evolution is not optional. Adapt or die."

The Capability Evolver is a meta-skill that allows OpenClaw agents to inspect their own runtime history, identify failures or inefficiencies, and autonomously write new code or update their own memory to improve performance.

Features

• Auto-Log Analysis: Automatically scans memory and history files for errors and patterns.
• Self-Repair: Detects crashes and suggests patches.
• GEP Protocol: Standardized evolution with reusable assets.
• One-Command Evolution: Just run /evolve (or node index.js).

Usage

Agents-CLI (This Repository) Recommended

Run from apps/agents-cli:

cd apps/agents-cli
node skills/evolver/index.js run

Optional environment overrides for this runtime:

export AGENT_SESSIONS_DIR="$PWD/.agents/memory/sessions"
export MEMORY_DIR="$PWD/.agents/memory"
export EVOLVE_BRIDGE=false

Standard Run (Automated)

Runs the evolution cycle. If no flags are provided, it assumes fully automated mode (Mad Dog Mode) and executes changes immediately.

node index.js run

Review Mode (Human-in-the-Loop)

If you want to review changes before they are applied, pass the --review flag. The agent will pause and ask for confirmation.

node index.js --review

Mad Dog Mode (Continuous Loop)

To run in an infinite loop (e.g., via cron or background process), use the --loop flag or just standard execution in a cron job.

node index.js --loop

Configuration

Environment Variable	Default	Description
EVOLVE_ALLOW_SELF_MODIFY	false	Allow evolution to modify evolver's own source code. NOT recommended for production. Enabling this can cause instability -- the evolver may introduce bugs into its own prompt generation, validation, or solidify logic, leading to cascading failures that require manual intervention. Only enable for controlled experiments.
EVOLVE_LOAD_MAX	2.0	Maximum 1-minute load average before evolver backs off.
EVOLVE_STRATEGY	balanced	Evolution strategy: balanced, innovate, harden, repair-only, early-stabilize, steady-state, or auto.

GEP Protocol (Auditable Evolution)

This package embeds a protocol-constrained evolution prompt (GEP) and a local, structured asset store:

• assets/gep/genes.json: reusable Gene definitions
• assets/gep/capsules.json: success capsules to avoid repeating reasoning
• assets/gep/events.jsonl: append-only evolution events (tree-like via parent id)

Emoji Policy

Only the DNA emoji is allowed in documentation. All other emoji are disallowed.

Configuration & Decoupling

This skill is designed to be environment-agnostic. It uses standard OpenClaw tools by default.

Local Overrides (Injection)

You can inject local preferences (e.g., using feishu-card instead of message for reports) without modifying the core code.

Method 1: Environment Variables Set EVOLVE_REPORT_TOOL in your .env file:

EVOLVE_REPORT_TOOL=feishu-card

Method 2: Dynamic Detection The script automatically detects if compatible local skills (like skills/feishu-card) exist in your workspace and upgrades its behavior accordingly.

Safety & Risk Protocol

1. Identity & Directives

• Identity Injection: "You are a Recursive Self-Improving System."
• Mutation Directive:
  • If Errors Found -> Repair Mode (Fix bugs).
  • If Stable -> Forced Optimization (Refactor/Innovate).

2. Risk Mitigation

• Infinite Recursion: Strict single-process logic.
• Review Mode: Use --review for sensitive environments.
• Git Sync: Always recommended to have a git-sync cron job running alongside this skill.

Before Troubleshooting -- Check Your Version First

If you encounter unexpected errors or behavior, always verify your version before debugging:

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

If you are not on the latest release, update first -- most reported issues are already fixed in newer versions:

# If installed via git
git pull && npm install

# If installed via npm (global install)
npm install -g evolver@latest

Latest releases and changelog: https://github.com/autogame-17/evolver/releases

License

MIT