OpenClaw v2026.10.1 Ships Installed-Skill Discovery, MCP Apps, External Backups

OpenClaw v2026.10.1 is out, and it's a big release: 3,055 commits, 2,425 pull requests, and 402 contributors. Here's what actually changed and what you'll notice day to day.

Installed-skill discovery

Agents can now search for relevant installed skills and read their instructions on demand instead of loading the whole skill library into the conversation. Per the release notes, this works across supported embedded agents, Code Mode, and Codex sessions. Practically, that means less context burned on skills you aren't using in a given task.

MCP Apps beside chat

Compatible, opt-in apps can now attach selected content to your next message, offer richer forms, and view or edit supported workspace files. Approval controls live in the app pane. Opt-in is explicit, so nothing attaches without your say-so.

Full backups outside the installation

You can now back up to an external drive, mounted storage, or Cloudflare R2, with optional schedules and retention policies. Restores go into a fresh staging directory before activation, which avoids clobbering a live install with a partial or bad restore.

Mac setup without Node or CLI

Fresh packaged Mac app setup now includes the runtime, so you don't need a separate Node or CLI install. There's also a Keep OpenClaw running when the app is closed toggle if you want channels and automations to keep running in the background.

Snooze without stopping work

You can clear eligible conversations from the web UI's Active sidebar and have them return at the chosen time — or earlier if the work finishes first. Snoozing is a UI action, not a cancellation.

Code Mode working data reuse

Agents can save small JSON results across cells, follow-up replies, and restarts in Code Mode. That's useful for carrying intermediate state between executions without rebuilding it each time.

Also improved

• Saved drafts
• Message recovery
• Conversation search
• Reading and composing during connection loss

Upgrade changes and full setup details are in the release notes. If you're on an older build, check the upgrade notes before restoring any backup into a staging directory.