CORE FILES MANAGEMENT 📁
Universal management of OpenClaw core files
| Info | Value |
|---|
| Version | 1.1.0 — 2026-05-07 |
| Status | OPERATIONAL |
1. PURPOSE AND SCOPE
Objective
Manage the 6 core files + bootstrap.md in an OpenClaw workspace without duplication.
Universal Design
This skill works for ANY OpenClaw agent. Adapt language rules to your user's preferences.
When to Use
| Trigger | Action |
|---|
| Modify a core file | Check distribution rules |
| Verify organization | Read all core files |
| Avoid duplication | Use modification checklist |
| User asks about structure | Read this skill and give summary |
2. THE 6 CORE FILES
| # | File | Definition | Key Content |
|---|
| 1 | identity.md | Agent's "first impression" | Name, avatar, signature, functions, language architecture |
| 2 | soul.md | Agent's "heart" — personality & values | Essence, values, L7/L8 memory integration |
| 3 | agents.md | Logic & procedures manual | Specs, workspace rules, heartbeat, red lines |
| 4 | user.md | User context | User's info, preferences, infrastructure |
| 5 | memory.md | Long-term memory | Important events, key configs, workflows |
| 6 | tools.md | Technical configuration | Endpoints, hosts, commands, services |
Plus: bootstrap.md
| File | Definition | Purpose |
|---|
| bootstrap.md | Machine startup sequence | NOT soul — machine boot order only |
3. DISTRIBUTION RULES
| Content Type | Target File |
|---|
| Identity | identity.md |
| Personality/Values | soul.md |
| Operational Rules | agents.md |
| User Context | user.md |
| Persistent Facts | memory.md |
| Technical Config | tools.md |
| Startup Sequence | bootstrap.md |
Rule: Each file has ONE purpose. Don't mix content types.
Cluster Integration
| Component | Purpose | Location |
|---|
| identity.md | Agent's first impression | Workspace root |
| soul.md | Agent's heart | Workspace root |
| agents.md | Operational rules | Workspace root |
| cluster configuration | Agent connections | Workspace/cluster/ |
| skill storage | Published skills | workspace/skills/ |
4. LANGUAGE RULES
Adapt to your agent's context:
| Context | Language | Example |
|---|
| User communication | Agent's native language | "Bonjour!" / "Hello!" / "你好!" |
| Between agents | Chinese | "你好！很高兴与你交流" |
| Code/Technical | English | python3 script.py |
Rule: Every identity.md MUST state the user's communication language.
5. TOOLS
Required OpenClaw Tools
| Tool | Usage | Mode |
|---|
read | Read core files | Required |
write | Modify core files | Required |
edit | Fix specific sections | Optional |
exec | Verify file status, backup | Optional |
Verification Commands
# List core files
ls -la ~/.openclaw/workspace/*.md
# Check file content
head -20 ~/.openclaw/workspace/identity.md
# Backup before modification
cp ~/.openclaw/workspace/<file>.md ~/.openclaw/workspace/<file>.md.bak
# Count lines in all files
wc -l ~/.openclaw/workspace/*.md
# Verify file exists
test -f ~/.openclaw/workspace/identity.md && echo "exists"
# Count files
ls ~/.openclaw/workspace/*.md | wc -l
# Full file listing
find ~/.openclaw/workspace -maxdepth 1 -name "*.md" -type f
Required Permissions
| Permission | Purpose |
|---|
| Read workspace | Access core files |
| Write workspace | Modify core files |
| Exec (optional) | File operations, backups |
Backup & Restore
# Create backup
cp ~/.openclaw/workspace/identity.md ~/.openclaw/workspace/identity.md.backup
# Restore from backup
cp ~/.openclaw/workspace/identity.md.backup ~/.openclaw/workspace/identity.md
# List backups
ls ~/.openclaw/workspace/*.backup
6. MODIFICATION CHECKLIST
Before modifying any core file:
1. Which file does this content belong to?
→ Identity → identity.md
→ Personality/Values → soul.md
→ Operational Rules → agents.md
→ User → user.md
→ Persistent Facts → memory.md
→ Technical Config → tools.md
2. Is it already somewhere else?
→ Check all 6 core files
3. Are language rules clear?
→ User → their native language
→ Agents → Chinese
→ Code → English
4. Does it need backup?
→ YES → Backup first!
7. FILE PATHS
| File | Default Path |
|---|
| identity.md | ~/.openclaw/workspace/identity.md |
| soul.md | ~/.openclaw/workspace/soul.md |
| agents.md | ~/.openclaw/workspace/agents.md |
| user.md | ~/.openclaw/workspace/user.md |
| memory.md | ~/.openclaw/workspace/memory.md |
| tools.md | ~/.openclaw/workspace/tools.md |
| bootstrap.md | ~/.openclaw/workspace/bootstrap.md |
8. CONSTRAINTS
| Constraint | Description |
|---|
| No duplication | Workspace rules in agents.md only, not soul.md or identity.md |
| No mixing | tools.md is technical ONLY — no personality content |
| No bloating | memory.md does NOT contain full session logs |
| Backup first | Always backup before changing core files |
| One purpose per file | Don't mix content types |
9. ERROR HANDLING
Common Errors
| Error | Cause | Solution |
|---|
| Content in wrong place | Didn't check distribution rules | Re-read checklist, reassign |
| Duplication | Same content in multiple places | Merge, keep only one |
| Missing language | Didn't check language rules | Add user's native language |
| Data loss | Modification without backup | Restore from backup |
Security Issues
| Issue | Severity | Action |
|---|
| Overwriting without backup | HIGH | Always backup first |
| Wrong file modified | MEDIUM | Verify before write |
| Missing language rule | LOW | Add to identity.md |
10. EDGE CASES
| Case | Treatment |
|---|
| File missing | Create from scratch with correct format |
| File corrupted | Restore from backup or recreate |
| Massive duplication | Read all files, reorganize by type |
| New agent setup | Create all 6 core files + bootstrap.md |
| Path unclear | Use default ~/.openclaw/workspace/ |
11. USAGE COMMANDS
# List all core files
ls -la ~/.openclaw/workspace/*.md
# Check a specific file
head -20 ~/.openclaw/workspace/identity.md
# Backup before modification
cp ~/.openclaw/workspace/<file>.md ~/.openclaw/workspace/<file>.md.bak
# Count lines in all files
wc -l ~/.openclaw/workspace/*.md
12. TEMPLATE — Empty Core File
identity.md
# IDENTITY.md — [Agent Name]
> Identity = First impression
| Attribute | Value |
|-----------|-------|
| **Name** | [Your name] |
| **Signature** | [Your signature emoji] |
| **Role** | [Your role] |
## Language Rules
- User communication: [Native language]
- Between agents: Chinese
- Code/Technical: English
_In Altum Per [Your Principle]._
[Your name]
In Altum Per CoreFiles.
📁 Core Files Management v1.1