feat: align update channel installs

docs/cli/update.md

@@ -7,9 +7,9 @@ read_when:
 
 # `clawdbot update`
 
-Safely update a **source checkout** (git install) of Clawdbot.
+Safely update Clawdbot and switch between stable/beta/dev channels.
 
-If you installed via **npm/pnpm** (global install, no git metadata), use the package manager flow in [Updating](/install/updating).
+If you installed via **npm/pnpm** (global install, no git metadata), updates happen via the package manager flow in [Updating](/install/updating).
 
 ## Usage
 
@@ -48,7 +48,16 @@ Options:
 - `--json`: print machine-readable status JSON.
 - `--timeout <seconds>`: timeout for checks (default is 3s).
 
-## What it does (git checkout)
+## What it does
+
+When you switch channels explicitly (`--channel ...`), Clawdbot also keeps the
+install method aligned:
+
+- `dev` → ensures a git checkout (default: `~/clawdbot`, override with `CLAWDBOT_GIT_DIR`),
+  updates it, and installs the global CLI from that checkout.
+- `stable`/`beta` → installs from npm using the matching dist-tag.
+
+## Git checkout flow
 
 Channels:
 

docs/install/development-channels.md

@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ read_when:
 
 # Development channels
 
-Last updated: 2026-01-20
+Last updated: 2026-01-21
 
 Clawdbot ships three update channels:
 
@@ -38,6 +38,13 @@ clawdbot update --channel dev
 
 This updates via the corresponding npm dist-tag (`latest`, `beta`, `dev`).
 
+When you **explicitly** switch channels with `--channel`, Clawdbot also aligns
+the install method:
+
+- `dev` ensures a git checkout (default `~/clawdbot`, override with `CLAWDBOT_GIT_DIR`),
+  updates it, and installs the global CLI from that checkout.
+- `stable`/`beta` installs from npm using the matching dist-tag.
+
 Tip: if you want stable + dev in parallel, keep two clones and point your gateway at the stable one.
 
 ## Plugins and channels