OpenClaw Update: Why You're Probably Running the Wrong Version

The version mismatch problem is more common than it sounds. Someone installs OpenClaw in January, gets busy, and by March they're on a version two minor releases behind. Then they open a bug report for something that was fixed in January's patch. Then they try to use a new channel integration that requires a feature from February. Both problems, one fix: stay current.

Check Your Current Version First

Before updating anything, know where you are. Run:

openclaw --version
# or
openclaw version

The short form returns just the version number: 1.2.3. The long form returns additional context including build hash and platform. Use the long form when filing bug reports — the build hash helps maintainers identify exactly which build you're running.

If you have OpenClaw installed in multiple places (system-wide, inside a project, via a version manager), each installation reports its own version. To check which one you're actually invoking:

which openclaw
# /usr/local/bin/openclaw  ← npm global
# /home/user/.nvm/versions/node/v20.11.0/bin/openclaw  ← nvm

Update Commands by Install Method

npm (most common)

# Update to latest stable
npm install -g openclaw@latest

# Update to a specific version
npm install -g openclaw@1.3.0

# Check available versions
npm view openclaw versions --json

Homebrew (macOS)

brew update
brew upgrade openclaw

# Check current formula version
brew info openclaw

install.sh script

# Re-run the installer — it overwrites the existing binary
curl -fsSL https://install.openclaw.dev | sh

Docker

# Pull the latest image
docker pull openclaw/gateway:latest

# Or pull a specific version
docker pull openclaw/gateway:1.3.0

# Restart the container with the new image
docker compose pull && docker compose up -d

Safe Upgrade Protocol

For production setups, never update blind. Here's the protocol that prevents surprises:

1. Read the changelog. Check the OpenClaw GitHub releases page for every version between your current and target. Look specifically for "breaking changes" and "config migration" sections.
2. Test on staging first. Update a non-production instance first. Run your standard checks: openclaw status, openclaw doctor, verify key channels are connected.
3. Note your current version. Write it down before updating. You'll need it for rollback if something goes wrong.
4. Update and restart. Update the binary, then restart the gateway process. Don't forget the gateway restart — the new binary doesn't take effect until the old process is stopped.
5. Verify after restart. Run openclaw status and openclaw --version on the running gateway to confirm both the version and connectivity.

Pinning to a Specific Version

For teams that need stability over currency, pinning to a tested version is the right call. Here's how to do it across different install methods:

# npm: install specific version and document it
npm install -g openclaw@1.2.3
echo "openclaw version: 1.2.3" >> deployment-notes.md

# Docker: always use version tags, never :latest in production
image: openclaw/gateway:1.2.3

# package.json for project-scoped installs
{
  "dependencies": {
    "openclaw": "1.2.3"
  }
}

The rule in production: :latest is for development. Pinned versions are for production. Every team that's been burned by an unexpected breaking change after a routine deploy arrives at this conclusion eventually.

Rolling Back After a Bad Update

A bad update is a recoverable situation. Config files are not modified during updates, so rollback is clean:

# npm rollback
npm install -g openclaw@1.2.3

# Homebrew rollback
brew switch openclaw 1.2.3

# Docker rollback
docker pull openclaw/gateway:1.2.3
# Update your compose file to the pinned version and redeploy

After rollback, verify the version and restart the gateway. The whole operation should take under two minutes if you know your previous version number — which is why you write it down before updating.

Common Mistakes

Updating CLI without restarting the gateway

The new binary is installed, but the old gateway process is still running. Status checks still show the old version. Always restart the gateway after updating the CLI.

Assuming :latest Docker tag is stable

The :latest tag in Docker always points to the most recent published image, including release candidates and occasionally broken builds. In production, use explicit version tags.

Not reading the changelog on minor version bumps

Minor version bumps (1.2 → 1.3) occasionally introduce config file changes, deprecated flags, or behavior differences. The changelog takes two minutes to read and saves hours of debugging.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I update OpenClaw to the latest version?

Run npm install -g openclaw@latest if you installed via npm. For Homebrew installs use brew upgrade openclaw. Always verify the update succeeded by running openclaw --version immediately after. Gateway and CLI must match versions to avoid API incompatibilities.

How do I check what version of OpenClaw I'm running?

Run openclaw --version or openclaw version. The short form returns just the version number. The long form returns version, build hash, and platform. If you have multiple installations, each needs to be checked independently using the full path to each binary.

Will updating OpenClaw break my existing configuration?

Minor updates (e.g., 1.2.3 to 1.2.4) are safe and rarely break configuration. Minor version bumps (1.2 to 1.3) occasionally change config file syntax — always read the changelog before upgrading. Major version bumps require reading the migration guide before updating production.

Can I pin OpenClaw to a specific version?

Yes. Install a specific version with npm install -g openclaw@1.2.3. To prevent accidental upgrades, use npm pin or manage the version in a package.json if you're in a project context. For Docker deployments, pin the image tag to a specific version hash.

How do I update OpenClaw on a remote server?

SSH into the server, run the same npm install -g openclaw@latest command, then restart the gateway process with systemctl restart openclaw or your equivalent service manager command. Check logs after restart to confirm the new version initialized without errors.

What if the update breaks something?

Roll back with npm install -g openclaw@[previous-version]. Your configuration files are not modified by the update process, so rollback is clean. Keep a note of your working version in your deployment docs so rollback is a 30-second operation rather than a debugging session.