OpenClaw Default Agent Backstory
Use this skill to define or refine a default OpenClaw agent identity and its supporting context files.
Reference model: OpenClaw context and bootstrap behavior from https://docs.openclaw.ai/concepts/context.
Core Rules
- Ask five questions every time unless the user explicitly asks to skip, shorten, or focus.
- Use ranked questions from
references/question-bank.md. - Prefer unanswered or weakly defined areas first.
- Keep content practical and stable for daily use.
- Preserve user-authored content unless the user asks for replacement.
- If user asks for a default memory policy, apply the
Primary Daily Driver policy in references/bootstrap-core-files.md.
Mode Selection
Select one mode before writing files:
bootstrap mode:- Use when user asks to bootstrap/onboard/start fresh.
- Use when core files are missing or mostly placeholders.
- Create or refresh baseline content for all core context files.
identity-refresh mode:- Use when user asks for personality/backstory updates only.
- Update
IDENTITY.md sections without rewriting unrelated core files.
Core Context Files
In bootstrap mode, ensure these files exist at workspace root with usable starter content:
AGENTS.mdSOUL.mdTOOLS.mdIDENTITY.mdUSER.mdHEARTBEAT.mdBOOTSTRAP.md
Use guidance and starter structure in references/bootstrap-core-files.md.
Also ensure memory scaffolding exists:
MEMORY.mdmemory/ directory for daily notesMEMORY.md must be a standalone workspace-root file, not a section inside AGENTS.md.
Bootstrap Interview Flow
- Read existing core files if they exist.
- Ask exactly five bootstrap-priority questions from
references/question-bank.md. - Synthesize answers into practical defaults.
- Write or refresh all core files listed above.
- Set rational session-management and memory defaults:
- session startup read order
- when to create/update daily memory notes
- what belongs in
MEMORY.md vs daily files - heartbeat cadence and quiet-hour behavior
- Keep
BOOTSTRAP.md short, with current setup status and next steps. - Summarize what was created, what was updated, and any remaining gaps.
Identity Refresh Flow
- Read
IDENTITY.md. - Ask exactly five identity-priority questions from
references/question-bank.md. - Update
IDENTITY.md with: ## Backstory## Behavioral Guardrails## Growth Arc
- Map each update directly to user answers.
- Summarize changes and open questions.
Writing Constraints
- For
IDENTITY.md, preserve existing header fields unless asked to change them. - Keep sections concise and concrete.
- Explicitly document boundaries/refusals.
- Do not invent personal history if user input is missing; mark assumptions clearly.
Completion Criteria
Finish only when:
- five questions were asked (unless user requested otherwise), and
- required target files for the selected mode were updated with concrete, non-placeholder content.