skillinstall_skill

Overview

This skill installs OpenClaw skills from clawhub.ai ZIP archives with automatic detection, validation, and Gateway updates. It locates the OpenClaw installation, validates package structure and metadata, and extracts new skills into the correct skills directory. It also handles duplicate checks, interactive file selection, and restarts the Gateway to make installed skills available immediately.

How this skill works

The installer scans for OpenClaw in common install locations and can use a user-specified path if detection fails. When given a file or when searching the current directory, it validates ZIP contents for required metadata and structure, then checks whether the skill already exists. On successful validation it extracts the archive into the OpenClaw skills folder and triggers a Gateway restart (or prompts manual restart when required), reporting progress and errors throughout.

When to use it

• Install a skill ZIP downloaded from clawhub.ai to your local OpenClaw instance.
• Add or update skills when you have a packaged skill archive but no package manager entry.
• Quickly preview installed skills with the listing option before making changes.
• When multiple ZIP candidates exist in a folder and you want interactive selection.
• When you need automatic Gateway restart after deployment on supported systems.

Best practices

• Run the installer with an account that has write permissions to the OpenClaw installation folder or use sudo where appropriate.
• Verify the archive comes from a trusted source before installing to avoid untrusted code execution.
• If automatic detection fails, set the custom OpenClaw root path in the script to ensure correct installation target.
• Use the list option (--list) to confirm existing skills and avoid accidental overwrites.
• If Gateway restart fails on your platform, restart the Gateway manually and check OpenClaw logs for issues.

Example use cases

• Install a specific skill archive: run the script with the ZIP filename to install directly into OpenClaw.
• Search and choose: run the script with no arguments to search the current directory, pick from multiple ZIPs interactively and install.
• Batch validation: validate an archive to confirm required metadata and file layout before deploying to production.
• List installed skills: inspect installed skill names, descriptions, and paths to audit or prepare upgrades.
• Troubleshoot installation failures: follow detailed error messages to repair permissions, archive structure, or restart the Gateway manually.