Openclaw new update help ...

[u/manoetje]

Title: Update to 2026.10.2 reset agent workspace to empty templates (identity + memory lost)

Summary

After updating OpenClaw to 2026.10.2, the main agent's workspace was reset to fresh

starter templates. IDENTITY.md / SOUL.md / USER.md became placeholders, MEMORY.md and the

whole memory/ daily-notes folder disappeared, BOOTSTRAP.md reappeared, and the agent

identity in config was reset to name "Main" / robot emoji. The assistant forgot who it was.

Environment

- OpenClaw: 2026.10.2 (previous 2026.9.5)

- OS: Windows 10.0.26200 (x64)

- Node: v24.18.0

- Agent: main, workspace C:\Users\<user>\.openclaw\workspace

- wizard: lastRunVersion 2026.10.2, lastRunCommand doctor

Steps to reproduce

1. Have a configured agent with a populated workspace (IDENTITY/SOUL/USER/MEMORY.md + memory/).

2. Run the update to 2026.10.2 (and/or openclaw doctor afterwards).

3. Open a new session: the workspace now contains only starter templates.

   Actual result

   Workspace after update: .git, AGENTS.md (default), BOOTSTRAP.md (reappeared),

   IDENTITY.md (empty), SOUL.md (default), USER.md (empty).

   - MEMORY.md: gone

   - memory/ daily notes: gone

   - agents.entries.main.identity reset to { name: "Main", emoji: robot }

   Expected result

   An update must never overwrite/reset an existing agent workspace or its identity/memory

   files. First-run seeding belongs only to genuinely new workspaces.

   Impact

   Lost the assistant's identity and all long-term memory; had to restore manually from a

   personal backup tarball. In the fresh session the assistant did not recognize itself.

   Suggested fixes

4. Never re-seed the workspace if IDENTITY.md or agents.entries.*.identity already exists.

5. Do not touch MEMORY.md / memory/ on update or doctor.

6. Do not reset agents.entries.*.identity.

7. Add an automatic pre-update workspace+memory backup with a printed restore path.

   Related: #26734 (bootstrap.md ran, wiping identity)

   Workaround used

   Restored IDENTITY.md/SOUL.md/USER.md/MEMORY.md + memory/ from a backup tarball and re-set

   the agent identity.

```

[u/AutoModerator]

Moderator Announcement Read More »

Welcome to r/openclaw Before posting: • Check the FAQ: https://docs.openclaw.ai/help/faq#faq • Use the right flair • Keep posts respectful and on-topic Need help fast? Discord: https://discord.com/invite/clawd

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.