How to Update OpenClaw Without Downtime
Keeping OpenClaw up to date ensures you get the latest features, security patches, and bug fixes. This guide walks through checking versions, backing up data, pulling updates, and rolling back if issues arise.
Why This Is Hard to Do Yourself
These are the common pitfalls that trip people up.
Breaking Changes Between Versions
Major version updates may introduce breaking changes to configuration formats, API integrations, or custom skill syntax.
Data Migration Risks
Database schema changes require migrations that can fail or corrupt data if not handled correctly.
Service Interruption
Without proper planning, updates can cause downtime, interrupting active conversations and workflows.
Step-by-Step Guide
Check Current Version
Verify your current OpenClaw version before updating. This helps you assess the scope of the update and identify breaking changes in the changelog.
# For Docker installations
docker exec openclaw openclaw --version
# For native installations
openclaw --versionReview Changelog
Read the release notes and changelog for all versions between your current version and the target version. Look for breaking changes, deprecated features, and migration notes.
Backup Before Update
Always backup your data before updating. This allows you to rollback if the update fails or introduces issues. Test the backup to ensure it's valid.
# Create timestamped backup
BACKUP_DIR="/backups/openclaw"
TIMESTAMP=$(date +%Y%m%d_%H%M%S)
tar -czf "$BACKUP_DIR/openclaw_pre_update_$TIMESTAMP.tar.gz" ~/.openclaw/Warning: Never skip the backup step. Updates can fail, and without a backup, you may lose data or configuration.
Pull New Version
Download and install the new version. For Docker, pull the new image and recreate the container. For native installations, use git or package managers.
# Docker update
docker pull openclaw/openclaw:latest
docker stop openclaw
docker rm openclaw
docker run -d --name openclaw -v openclaw_data:/data openclaw/openclaw:latest
# Native update (git)
cd ~/openclaw
git fetch --tags
git checkout v2.5.0Run Migrations
If the update includes database schema changes, run migrations to update your data. Check the release notes for specific migration commands.
# Example migration command
openclaw migrate --from 2.4.0 --to 2.5.0
# Verify migration success
sqlite3 ~/.openclaw/openclaw.db "SELECT * FROM schema_migrations ORDER BY version DESC LIMIT 1;"Verify and Rollback if Needed
Test the updated instance to ensure all features work correctly. If issues arise, rollback to the previous version using your backup.
# Test basic functionality
curl http://localhost:8080/health
# Rollback if needed (Docker)
docker stop openclaw
docker rm openclaw
docker run -d --name openclaw -v openclaw_data:/data openclaw/openclaw:v2.4.0
tar -xzf /backups/openclaw/openclaw_pre_update_*.tar.gz -C ~/Need Help Updating OpenClaw?
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