OpenClaw Release Delayed Again: Upgrade Test Issues from v2026.7.1

OpenClaw's upcoming release, originally slated for August 18, has been delayed again. Project maintainer hannesrudolph announced that testing uncovered issues with both fresh installations and, more critically, upgrades from v2026.7.1 and earlier. The team is prioritizing upgrade stability over hitting a date.

What's holding up the release?

The core problem is that existing users upgrading from v2026.7.1 or earlier could break their setups. The team is not waiting for perfection — but they need confidence that upgrades won't leave users with broken configurations. Fresh installs also have issues, though the specific failure modes weren't detailed.

New timeline

No new release date has been set. The maintainer explicitly said they will not commit to another exact day until the final checks are clear. This is to avoid additional false promises after a previous date slip.

What should OpenClaw users do?

• If you're on v2026.7.1 or earlier, hold off on upgrading until the new release is stable.
• If you're doing fresh installs, be aware that current builds may have issues — test in a sandbox first.
• Keep an eye on the official announcement for the revised release date.

The delay is frustrating, but the focus on upgrade safety is a sign that the project cares about its existing user base. For now, stay on your current version unless you're prepared to troubleshoot.