From 26d3fbb09fb7bb310b1e28c71437f07d1759f96d Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Peter Steinberger Date: Sun, 25 Jan 2026 04:30:37 +0000 Subject: [PATCH] docs: add faq answers from support stream --- docs/help/faq.md | 91 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 91 insertions(+) diff --git a/docs/help/faq.md b/docs/help/faq.md index 1536397bd..ef3658096 100644 --- a/docs/help/faq.md +++ b/docs/help/faq.md @@ -60,6 +60,7 @@ Quick answers plus deeper troubleshooting for real-world setups (local dev, VPS, - [Can I load skills from a custom folder?](#can-i-load-skills-from-a-custom-folder) - [How can I use different models for different tasks?](#how-can-i-use-different-models-for-different-tasks) - [The bot freezes while doing heavy work. How do I offload that?](#the-bot-freezes-while-doing-heavy-work-how-do-i-offload-that) + - [Cron or reminders do not fire. What should I check?](#cron-or-reminders-do-not-fire-what-should-i-check) - [How do I install skills on Linux?](#how-do-i-install-skills-on-linux) - [Can Clawdbot run tasks on a schedule or continuously in the background?](#can-clawdbot-run-tasks-on-a-schedule-or-continuously-in-the-background) - [Can I run Apple/macOS-only skills from Linux?](#can-i-run-applemacos-only-skills-from-linux) @@ -69,6 +70,7 @@ Quick answers plus deeper troubleshooting for real-world setups (local dev, VPS, - [Is there a dedicated sandboxing doc?](#is-there-a-dedicated-sandboxing-doc) - [How do I bind a host folder into the sandbox?](#how-do-i-bind-a-host-folder-into-the-sandbox) - [How does memory work?](#how-does-memory-work) + - [Memory keeps forgetting things. How do I make it stick?](#memory-keeps-forgetting-things-how-do-i-make-it-stick) - [Does semantic memory search require an OpenAI API key?](#does-semantic-memory-search-require-an-openai-api-key) - [Where things live on disk](#where-things-live-on-disk) - [Is all data used with Clawdbot saved locally?](#is-all-data-used-with-clawdbot-saved-locally) @@ -84,12 +86,14 @@ Quick answers plus deeper troubleshooting for real-world setups (local dev, VPS, - [Why do I need a token on localhost now?](#why-do-i-need-a-token-on-localhost-now) - [Do I have to restart after changing config?](#do-i-have-to-restart-after-changing-config) - [How do I enable web search (and web fetch)?](#how-do-i-enable-web-search-and-web-fetch) + - [config.apply wiped my config. How do I recover and avoid this?](#configapply-wiped-my-config-how-do-i-recover-and-avoid-this) - [How do I run a central Gateway with specialized workers across devices?](#how-do-i-run-a-central-gateway-with-specialized-workers-across-devices) - [Can the Clawdbot browser run headless?](#can-the-clawdbot-browser-run-headless) - [How do I use Brave for browser control?](#how-do-i-use-brave-for-browser-control) - [Remote gateways + nodes](#remote-gateways-nodes) - [How do commands propagate between Telegram, the gateway, and nodes?](#how-do-commands-propagate-between-telegram-the-gateway-and-nodes) - [How can my agent access my computer if the Gateway is hosted remotely?](#how-can-my-agent-access-my-computer-if-the-gateway-is-hosted-remotely) + - [Tailscale is connected but I get no replies. What now?](#tailscale-is-connected-but-i-get-no-replies-what-now) - [Can two Clawdbots talk to each other (local + VPS)?](#can-two-clawdbots-talk-to-each-other-local--vps) - [Is there a benefit to using a node on my personal laptop instead of SSH from a VPS?](#is-there-a-benefit-to-using-a-node-on-my-personal-laptop-instead-of-ssh-from-a-vps) - [Do nodes run a gateway service?](#do-nodes-run-a-gateway-service) @@ -154,6 +158,8 @@ Quick answers plus deeper troubleshooting for real-world setups (local dev, VPS, - [I closed my terminal on Windows - how do I restart Clawdbot?](#i-closed-my-terminal-on-windows--how-do-i-restart-clawdbot) - [The Gateway is up but replies never arrive. What should I check?](#the-gateway-is-up-but-replies-never-arrive-what-should-i-check) - ["Disconnected from gateway: no reason" - what now?](#disconnected-from-gateway-no-reason---what-now) + - [Telegram setMyCommands fails with network errors. What should I check?](#telegram-setmycommands-fails-with-network-errors-what-should-i-check) + - [TUI shows no output. What should I check?](#tui-shows-no-output-what-should-i-check) - [How do I completely stop then start the Gateway?](#how-do-i-completely-stop-then-start-the-gateway) - [ELI5: `clawdbot gateway restart` vs `clawdbot gateway`](#eli5-clawdbot-gateway-restart-vs-clawdbot-gateway) - [What’s the fastest way to get more details when something fails?](#whats-the-fastest-way-to-get-more-details-when-something-fails) @@ -854,6 +860,24 @@ cheaper model for sub-agents via `agents.defaults.subagents.model`. Docs: [Sub-agents](/tools/subagents). +### Cron or reminders do not fire. What should I check? + +Cron runs inside the Gateway process. If the Gateway is not running continuously, +scheduled jobs will not run. + +Checklist: +- Confirm cron is enabled (`cron.enabled`) and `CLAWDBOT_SKIP_CRON` is not set. +- Check the Gateway is running 24/7 (no sleep/restarts). +- Verify timezone settings for the job (`--tz` vs host timezone). + +Debug: +```bash +clawdbot cron run --force +clawdbot cron runs --id --limit 50 +``` + +Docs: [Cron jobs](/automation/cron-jobs), [Cron vs Heartbeat](/automation/cron-vs-heartbeat). + ### How do I install skills on Linux? Use **ClawdHub** (CLI) or drop skills into your workspace. The macOS Skills UI isn’t available on Linux. @@ -984,6 +1008,15 @@ Clawdbot also runs a **silent pre-compaction memory flush** to remind the model to write durable notes before auto-compaction. This only runs when the workspace is writable (read-only sandboxes skip it). See [Memory](/concepts/memory). +### Memory keeps forgetting things. How do I make it stick? + +Ask the bot to **write the fact to memory**. Long-term notes belong in `MEMORY.md`, +short-term context goes into `memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md`. + +If it keeps forgetting, verify the Gateway is using the same workspace on every run. + +Docs: [Memory](/concepts/memory), [Agent workspace](/concepts/agent-workspace). + ### Does semantic memory search require an OpenAI API key? Only if you use **OpenAI embeddings**. Codex OAuth covers chat/completions and @@ -1257,6 +1290,20 @@ pair devices you trust, and review [Security](/gateway/security). Docs: [Nodes](/nodes), [Gateway protocol](/gateway/protocol), [macOS remote mode](/platforms/mac/remote), [Security](/gateway/security). +### Tailscale is connected but I get no replies. What now? + +Check the basics: +- Gateway is running: `clawdbot gateway status` +- Gateway health: `clawdbot status` +- Channel health: `clawdbot channels status` + +Then verify auth and routing: +- If you use Tailscale Serve, make sure `gateway.auth.allowTailscale` is set correctly. +- If you connect via SSH tunnel, confirm the local tunnel is up and points at the right port. +- Confirm your allowlists (DM or group) include your account. + +Docs: [Tailscale](/gateway/tailscale), [Remote access](/gateway/remote), [Channels](/channels). + ### Can two Clawdbots talk to each other (local + VPS)? Yes. There is no built-in "bot-to-bot" bridge, but you can wire it up in a few @@ -1320,6 +1367,21 @@ A full restart is required for `gateway`, `discovery`, and `canvasHost` changes. Yes. `config.apply` validates + writes the full config and restarts the Gateway as part of the operation. +### config.apply wiped my config. How do I recover and avoid this? + +`config.apply` replaces the **entire config**. If you send a partial object, everything +else is removed. + +Recover: +- Restore from backup (git or a copied `~/.clawdbot/clawdbot.json`). +- If you have no backup, re-run `clawdbot doctor` and reconfigure channels/models. + +Avoid it: +- Use `clawdbot config set` for small changes. +- Use `clawdbot configure` for interactive edits. + +Docs: [Config](/cli/config), [Configure](/cli/configure), [Doctor](/gateway/doctor). + ### What’s a minimal “sane” config for a first install? ```json5 @@ -2229,6 +2291,35 @@ clawdbot logs --follow Docs: [Dashboard](/web/dashboard), [Remote access](/gateway/remote), [Troubleshooting](/gateway/troubleshooting). +### Telegram setMyCommands fails with network errors. What should I check? + +Start with logs and channel status: + +```bash +clawdbot channels status +clawdbot channels logs --channel telegram +``` + +If you are on a VPS or behind a proxy, confirm outbound HTTPS is allowed and DNS works. +If the Gateway is remote, make sure you are looking at logs on the Gateway host. + +Docs: [Telegram](/channels/telegram), [Channel troubleshooting](/channels/troubleshooting). + +### TUI shows no output. What should I check? + +First confirm the Gateway is reachable and the agent can run: + +```bash +clawdbot status +clawdbot models status +clawdbot logs --follow +``` + +In the TUI, use `/status` to see the current state. If you expect replies in a chat +channel, make sure delivery is enabled (`/deliver on`). + +Docs: [TUI](/tui), [Slash commands](/tools/slash-commands). + ### How do I completely stop then start the Gateway? If you installed the service: