release-openclaw-announcement

OpenClaw Release Announcement

Use with release-openclaw-maintainer after a release is live. Use with $discord-user-post when actually posting to Discord as the logged-in user.

Evidence First

Before drafting focus areas, read real release evidence:

1. GitHub release body and immutable tag; for extended-stable, also confirm the npm/container-only scope and non-Latest classification.
2. The released base version's CHANGELOG/<version>.md and contribution record, resolved with node scripts/release-changelog.mjs read --version <version> [--ref <sha-or-tag>] (add --record for accounting). The shared resolver reads historical monolithic tags; current CHANGELOG.md is an index. After approved docs publication, read the complete docs mirror and frozen record rather than treating the compact GitHub body as full notes.
3. Commits since the previous shipped version or the operator-specified base.
4. Registry/package metadata for the exact version and current dist-tag.
5. Validation status that is relevant to user confidence.

Do not claim a full changelog audit unless you did it. If you only read the generated release notes or selected changelog section, say that and either audit properly or draft with that limitation.

For beta focus areas, prioritize user-observable changes over internal test or CI mechanics:

• install/update paths
• OS/platform-specific behavior
• Gateway startup/restart, config, and runtime behavior
• provider/model/runtime routing
• plugin loading and local plugin development
• channels and media paths
• security/data-loss/user-impact fixes

Do not let late release-branch fixes automatically dominate the announcement. If the version includes a large delta from the previous shipped version, rank focus areas by the whole release delta and expected user impact; mention late fixes in their natural category.

Required Copy

Every beta announcement must make beta status explicit and include:

• exact version, e.g. OpenClaw 2026.5.25-beta.1
• one-sentence risk framing: beta, useful for testing, not stable promotion
• focused test areas derived from evidence, not guesswork
• update command promoted near the top:

  openclaw update --channel beta --yes
  openclaw --version
  

• fresh install path: Install from https://openclaw.ai
• GitHub release link
• concise validation note, without making CI the headline

Do not suggest npm install commands in beta announcements unless the operator explicitly asks for npm-specific copy or troubleshooting text. It is fine to use registry metadata as evidence; do not turn that into public install guidance.

For stable announcements, use the stable channel wording:

openclaw update --channel stable --yes
openclaw --version

Fresh installs still point to https://openclaw.ai.

For extended-stable, name the exact version and trailing month. Mention only observable backports, and use:

openclaw update --channel extended-stable
openclaw --version

Do not add --yes: users moving from newer regular stable must see the downgrade warning because older versions may not understand newer configuration. Link the GitHub Release, but do not inherit regular stable macOS, Windows, ClawHub, latest, or website claims.

Style

• Discord Markdown, no tables.
• Keep it skimmable: short intro, bullets, commands, links.
• Lead with what users can feel or test, not proof plumbing.
• Mention validation only after install/update instructions.
• Be specific about where feedback is useful.
• Do not mention private local proof paths in public announcements.
• Do not overstate unverified platforms, channels, or provider behavior.

Posting

When asked to post, use $discord-user-post to operate the logged-in Discord desktop app as the user. Resolve and visibly verify the exact server/channel, inspect the final body, and request action-time confirmation before entering or sending it. Never use OpenClaw channel sends, bots, webhooks, relays, or tokens.