Tools System
Extend OpenClaw's capabilities with powerful tools.
What are Tools?
Tools are functions that allow OpenClaw to interact with the world:
- Execute shell commands
- Browse the web
- Read and write files
- Control smart home devices
- And much more!
Built-in Tools
File Operations
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
read | Read file contents |
write | Create or overwrite files |
edit | Make precise file edits |
Web Tools
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
web_search | Search the web (Brave API) |
web_fetch | Fetch and extract web content |
browser | Control web browser |
System Tools
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
exec | Run shell commands |
process | Manage background processes |
cron | Schedule automated tasks |
Communication Tools
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
message | Send messages to channels |
tts | Text-to-speech conversion |
Tool Permissions
Control which tools are available:
json
{
"tools": {
"enabled": ["read", "write", "exec", "web_search"],
"disabled": ["gateway", "sessions_spawn"],
"requireConfirmation": ["exec", "write"]
}
}Tool Usage Examples
Reading a File
You: Read the contents of config.json
OpenClaw: [Uses read tool]
Here's the content of config.json:
{ ... }Searching the Web
You: What's the latest news about AI?
OpenClaw: [Uses web_search tool]
Here are the latest AI news headlines...Executing Commands
You: Show me disk usage
OpenClaw: [Uses exec tool with df -h]
Here's your disk usage:
Filesystem Size Used Avail Use%
/dev/disk1s1 466G 234G 180G 57%Custom Tools
Create custom tools using the Skills system:
- Define tool schema
- Implement tool logic
- Register with OpenClaw
See Skills System for details.
Security Considerations
- Tools run with your user permissions
- Dangerous operations require confirmation
- Tool calls are logged for audit
Security
The exec tool can run any command. Always review tool calls in group chats!