Do skills update automatically by default?

By default, skills stay on the installed version. You receive notifications when updates are available, but updates only happen when you explicitly trigger them. This prevents unexpected behavior changes.

Can I use different versions of the same skill for different tasks?

Currently, only one version of a skill can be active at a time. If you need different behavior for different tasks, create a custom skill that wraps the base skill with task-specific configuration.

What happens to my configuration when I update a skill?

Your configuration is preserved during updates. If a new version introduces new required settings, the agent prompts you to configure them after the update. Existing settings carry over unless the update specifically deprecates them.

Skills

Skill Versioning: Sync to Latest or Specific Version

Control which skill versions your agent uses. Pin to specific versions for stability, sync to latest for new features, and manage version dependencies across skills.

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What You Will Get

After this walkthrough, you will understand how to manage skill versions in your OpenClaw instance. You will be able to pin skills to specific versions for production stability, update to the latest version when you want new features, and resolve version conflicts when multiple skills have overlapping dependencies.

Version management matters because skills evolve. A skill update might add new features you want, but it could also change behavior in ways that affect your workflow. By controlling versions, you decide when changes take effect rather than being surprised by automatic updates.

The versioning system works similarly to package managers you already know. Each skill has a version number, a changelog, and compatibility metadata. You can lock versions, receive update notifications, and roll back to previous versions if an update causes problems.

How to Manage Skill Versions

Control and synchronize skill versions

Check Your Current Skill Versions

Go to your Skills section and view the installed skills list. Each skill shows its current version, the latest available version, and whether an update is available. You can also ask your agent: list all installed skills with their versions. This gives you a snapshot of your current state.

Pin a Skill to a Specific Version

For skills that are critical to your workflow, pin them to a specific version. In the skill settings, set the version to a fixed number like 2.3.1 instead of latest. This prevents automatic updates from changing behavior unexpectedly. Pin versions for production-critical skills and use latest for skills where you want the newest features.

Update a Skill to the Latest Version

When you want to update, click the Update button next to the skill or tell your agent: update the github-pr-review skill to latest. The agent downloads the new version, preserves your configuration, and activates it. Review the changelog before updating to understand what changed.

Review Changelogs Before Updating

Every skill update includes a changelog describing what changed. Read it before updating, especially for major version bumps. Major versions may include breaking changes that require configuration adjustments. The agent can summarize the changelog for you: what changed in the latest version of the cicd-monitor skill.

Handle Version Conflicts

Occasionally, two skills may require different versions of a shared dependency. The agent detects these conflicts during installation and suggests resolutions. Common resolutions include updating one skill to a compatible version, using the latest version that satisfies both requirements, or installing the skills in separate contexts.

Roll Back to a Previous Version

If an update causes problems, roll back to the previous version. Go to the skill's version history and select the version you want to restore. The agent reinstalls that version and your configuration remains intact. This is why keeping version history accessible is important for production environments.

Set Up Update Notifications

Configure the agent to notify you when skill updates are available. You can set notification preferences: immediate for security patches, weekly digest for feature updates, and monthly for minor changes. This keeps you informed without overwhelming you with notifications.

Tips and Best Practices

Pin Production Skills, Float Development Skills

For skills that affect production workflows, pin to a tested version. For development and experimental skills, set to latest so you always have the newest capabilities. This balances stability with innovation.

Test Updates in Staging First

If you have a staging OpenClaw instance, update skills there first. Verify that your workflows work correctly with the new version before updating production. This is especially important for major version bumps.

Document Your Version Choices

Keep a note of why specific skills are pinned to specific versions. When you revisit the decision months later, having context like pinned to 2.3.1 because 2.4.0 changed the alert format helps you decide whether it is safe to update.

Frequently Asked Questions

Browse and Install Skills Skill Dependencies Management Skill Debugging

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