OpenClaw auto-update bug leaves orphaned preflight directories filling /tmp
Auto-update bug causes disk space issues
The OpenClaw auto-update mechanism creates a preflight copy of the repository in /tmp before applying changes. When an update fails—for example, due to local changes in extension files blocking checkout—the preflight directory remains in /tmp indefinitely.
One user discovered 9 orphaned preflight directories totaling 6.5GB on a 38GB Hetzner VPS, causing disk usage to reach 100%. This blocked updates and created a failure loop: the update process itself requires disk space to run, so each failed attempt left more orphaned directories behind.
Diagnosis and immediate fix
The issue was resolved by running:
rm -rf /tmp/openclaw-update-preflight-*However, the user noted that finding the root cause took longer than it should have, highlighting that self-hosting AI agents requires sysadmin attention. The bug would have "bricked" non-technical users' agents without any ability for them to diagnose it themselves.
Recommendations for small VPS deployments
- Monitor
/tmpsize regularly—OpenClaw isn't the only application that uses this directory, but it was the "biggest offender" on a dedicated instance - Use at least 4GB RAM and 40GB disk as a "comfortable minimum" specification
- Add a disk space check to your agent's heartbeat configuration to catch issues before they escalate
The user runs a managed OpenClaw hosting service (clawrapid) and maintains instances for non-technical users, noting this experience reinforced the value of managed services for those without technical expertise.
📖 Read the full source: r/openclaw
👀 See Also
Opus 4.7's attention degradation: MRCR scores drop from 92% to 59% at 256k context
Opus 4.7 shows significant recall drop per MRCR v2 8-needle test: 91.9% to 59.2% at 256k context, and 78.3% to 32.2% at 1M. Anthropic is retiring MRCR in favor of Graphwalks, but the degradation matches user reports.
Claude Code Generates Python Script That Finds 10,069-Digit Emirp Record
Anthropic's Claude Opus 4.6 generated a Python script that discovered a 10,069-digit emirp (reversible prime) in about one day of CPU time, breaking the previous world record. The script uses four tiers of prime sieves including a CUDA kernel for fast random number generation.
Coasty AI Agent Solves CAPTCHA Challenges Up to Level 6 Without Training
Coasty's Computer Using Agent (CUA) achieved 82% on the OSWorld benchmark, solving CAPTCHAs up to Level 6, browser popups, and cookie banners without specific training for 'I'm not a robot' challenges.
Claude Code v2.1.208: Screen Reader Mode, Vim Remaps, Memory Leak Fixes, and More
Claude Code v2.1.208 adds opt-in plain-text screen reader mode, vim insert-mode sequence remaps, a process wrapper for corporate launchers, and fixes dozens of bugs including memory leaks in long sessions.