feat: mac node exec policy + remote skills hot reload

apps/macos/Sources/Clawdbot/AppState.swift

@@ -170,6 +170,10 @@ final class AppState {
         didSet { self.ifNotPreview { UserDefaults.standard.set(self.canvasEnabled, forKey: canvasEnabledKey) } }
     }
 
+    var systemRunPolicy: SystemRunPolicy {
+        didSet { self.ifNotPreview { MacNodeConfigFile.setSystemRunPolicy(self.systemRunPolicy) } }
+    }
+
     /// Tracks whether the Canvas panel is currently visible (not persisted).
     var canvasPanelVisible: Bool = false
 
@@ -292,6 +296,7 @@ final class AppState {
         self.remoteProjectRoot = UserDefaults.standard.string(forKey: remoteProjectRootKey) ?? ""
         self.remoteCliPath = UserDefaults.standard.string(forKey: remoteCliPathKey) ?? ""
         self.canvasEnabled = UserDefaults.standard.object(forKey: canvasEnabledKey) as? Bool ?? true
+        self.systemRunPolicy = SystemRunPolicy.load()
         self.peekabooBridgeEnabled = UserDefaults.standard
             .object(forKey: peekabooBridgeEnabledKey) as? Bool ?? true
         if !self.isPreview {

apps/macos/Sources/Clawdbot/Constants.swift

@@ -26,6 +26,9 @@ let remoteProjectRootKey = "clawdbot.remoteProjectRoot"
 let remoteCliPathKey = "clawdbot.remoteCliPath"
 let canvasEnabledKey = "clawdbot.canvasEnabled"
 let cameraEnabledKey = "clawdbot.cameraEnabled"
+let systemRunPolicyKey = "clawdbot.systemRunPolicy"
+let systemRunAllowlistKey = "clawdbot.systemRunAllowlist"
+let systemRunEnabledKey = "clawdbot.systemRunEnabled"
 let locationModeKey = "clawdbot.locationMode"
 let locationPreciseKey = "clawdbot.locationPreciseEnabled"
 let peekabooBridgeEnabledKey = "clawdbot.peekabooBridgeEnabled"

apps/macos/Sources/Clawdbot/GeneralSettings.swift

@@ -83,6 +83,25 @@ struct GeneralSettings: View {
                         subtitle: "Allow the agent to capture a photo or short video via the built-in camera.",
                         binding: self.$cameraEnabled)
 
+                    VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 6) {
+                        Text("Node Run Commands")
+                            .font(.body)
+
+                        Picker("", selection: self.$state.systemRunPolicy) {
+                            ForEach(SystemRunPolicy.allCases) { policy in
+                                Text(policy.title).tag(policy)
+                            }
+                        }
+                        .pickerStyle(.segmented)
+
+                        Text("""
+                        Controls remote command execution on this Mac when it is paired as a node. "Always Ask" prompts on each command; "Always Allow" runs without prompts; "Never" disables `system.run`.
+                        """)
+                        .font(.footnote)
+                        .foregroundStyle(.tertiary)
+                        .fixedSize(horizontal: false, vertical: true)
+                    }
+
                     VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 6) {
                         Text("Location Access")
                             .font(.body)

apps/macos/Sources/Clawdbot/MacNodeConfigFile.swift

@@ -0,0 +1,80 @@
+import Foundation
+import OSLog
+
+enum MacNodeConfigFile {
+    private static let logger = Logger(subsystem: "com.clawdbot", category: "mac-node-config")
+
+    static func url() -> URL {
+        ClawdbotPaths.stateDirURL.appendingPathComponent("macos-node.json")
+    }
+
+    static func loadDict() -> [String: Any] {
+        let url = self.url()
+        guard FileManager.default.fileExists(atPath: url.path) else { return [:] }
+        do {
+            let data = try Data(contentsOf: url)
+            guard let root = try JSONSerialization.jsonObject(with: data) as? [String: Any] else {
+                self.logger.warning("mac node config JSON root invalid")
+                return [:]
+            }
+            return root
+        } catch {
+            self.logger.warning("mac node config read failed: \(error.localizedDescription, privacy: .public)")
+            return [:]
+        }
+    }
+
+    static func saveDict(_ dict: [String: Any]) {
+        do {
+            let data = try JSONSerialization.data(withJSONObject: dict, options: [.prettyPrinted, .sortedKeys])
+            let url = self.url()
+            try FileManager.default.createDirectory(
+                at: url.deletingLastPathComponent(),
+                withIntermediateDirectories: true)
+            try data.write(to: url, options: [.atomic])
+        } catch {
+            self.logger.error("mac node config save failed: \(error.localizedDescription, privacy: .public)")
+        }
+    }
+
+    static func systemRunPolicy() -> SystemRunPolicy? {
+        let root = self.loadDict()
+        let systemRun = root["systemRun"] as? [String: Any]
+        let raw = systemRun?["policy"] as? String
+        guard let raw, let policy = SystemRunPolicy(rawValue: raw) else { return nil }
+        return policy
+    }
+
+    static func setSystemRunPolicy(_ policy: SystemRunPolicy) {
+        var root = self.loadDict()
+        var systemRun = root["systemRun"] as? [String: Any] ?? [:]
+        systemRun["policy"] = policy.rawValue
+        root["systemRun"] = systemRun
+        self.saveDict(root)
+    }
+
+    static func systemRunAllowlist() -> [String]? {
+        let root = self.loadDict()
+        let systemRun = root["systemRun"] as? [String: Any]
+        return systemRun?["allowlist"] as? [String]
+    }
+
+    static func setSystemRunAllowlist(_ allowlist: [String]) {
+        let cleaned = allowlist
+            .map { $0.trimmingCharacters(in: .whitespacesAndNewlines) }
+            .filter { !$0.isEmpty }
+        var root = self.loadDict()
+        var systemRun = root["systemRun"] as? [String: Any] ?? [:]
+        if cleaned.isEmpty {
+            systemRun.removeValue(forKey: "allowlist")
+        } else {
+            systemRun["allowlist"] = cleaned
+        }
+        if systemRun.isEmpty {
+            root.removeValue(forKey: "systemRun")
+        } else {
+            root["systemRun"] = systemRun
+        }
+        self.saveDict(root)
+    }
+}

apps/macos/Sources/Clawdbot/MenuContentView.swift

@@ -31,6 +31,12 @@ struct MenuContent: View {
         self._updateStatus = Bindable(wrappedValue: updater?.updateStatus ?? UpdateStatus.disabled)
     }
 
+    private var systemRunPolicyBinding: Binding<SystemRunPolicy> {
+        Binding(
+            get: { self.state.systemRunPolicy },
+            set: { self.state.systemRunPolicy = $0 })
+    }
+
     var body: some View {
         VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 8) {
             Toggle(isOn: self.activeBinding) {
@@ -68,6 +74,13 @@ struct MenuContent: View {
             Toggle(isOn: self.$cameraEnabled) {
                 Label("Allow Camera", systemImage: "camera")
             }
+            Picker(selection: self.systemRunPolicyBinding) {
+                ForEach(SystemRunPolicy.allCases) { policy in
+                    Text(policy.title).tag(policy)
+                }
+            } label: {
+                Label("Node Run Commands", systemImage: "terminal")
+            }
             Toggle(isOn: Binding(get: { self.state.canvasEnabled }, set: { self.state.canvasEnabled = $0 })) {
                 Label("Allow Canvas", systemImage: "rectangle.and.pencil.and.ellipsis")
             }

apps/macos/Sources/Clawdbot/NodeMode/MacNodeModeCoordinator.swift

@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ final class MacNodeModeCoordinator {
     private func run() async {
         var retryDelay: UInt64 = 1_000_000_000
         var lastCameraEnabled: Bool?
+        var lastSystemRunPolicy: SystemRunPolicy?
         let defaults = UserDefaults.standard
         while !Task.isCancelled {
             if await MainActor.run(body: { AppStateStore.shared.isPaused }) {
@@ -53,6 +54,15 @@ final class MacNodeModeCoordinator {
                 try? await Task.sleep(nanoseconds: 200_000_000)
             }
 
+            let systemRunPolicy = SystemRunPolicy.load()
+            if lastSystemRunPolicy == nil {
+                lastSystemRunPolicy = systemRunPolicy
+            } else if lastSystemRunPolicy != systemRunPolicy {
+                lastSystemRunPolicy = systemRunPolicy
+                await self.session.disconnect()
+                try? await Task.sleep(nanoseconds: 200_000_000)
+            }
+
             guard let endpoint = await self.resolveBridgeEndpoint(timeoutSeconds: 5) else {
                 try? await Task.sleep(nanoseconds: min(retryDelay, 5_000_000_000))
                 retryDelay = min(retryDelay * 2, 10_000_000_000)
@@ -143,10 +153,13 @@ final class MacNodeModeCoordinator {
             ClawdbotCanvasA2UICommand.pushJSONL.rawValue,
             ClawdbotCanvasA2UICommand.reset.rawValue,
             MacNodeScreenCommand.record.rawValue,
-            ClawdbotSystemCommand.run.rawValue,
             ClawdbotSystemCommand.notify.rawValue,
         ]
 
+        if SystemRunPolicy.load() != .never {
+            commands.append(ClawdbotSystemCommand.run.rawValue)
+        }
+
         let capsSet = Set(caps)
         if capsSet.contains(ClawdbotCapability.camera.rawValue) {
             commands.append(ClawdbotCameraCommand.list.rawValue)

apps/macos/Sources/Clawdbot/NodeMode/MacNodeRuntime.swift

@@ -426,6 +426,44 @@ actor MacNodeRuntime {
             return Self.errorResponse(req, code: .invalidRequest, message: "INVALID_REQUEST: command required")
         }
 
+        let wasAllowlisted = SystemRunAllowlist.contains(command)
+        switch Self.systemRunPolicy() {
+        case .never:
+            return Self.errorResponse(
+                req,
+                code: .unavailable,
+                message: "SYSTEM_RUN_DISABLED: policy=never")
+        case .always:
+            break
+        case .ask:
+            if !wasAllowlisted {
+                let services = await self.mainActorServices()
+                let decision = await services.confirmSystemRun(
+                    command: SystemRunAllowlist.displayString(for: command),
+                    cwd: params.cwd)
+                switch decision {
+                case .allowOnce:
+                    break
+                case .allowAlways:
+                    SystemRunAllowlist.add(command)
+                case .deny:
+                    return Self.errorResponse(
+                        req,
+                        code: .unavailable,
+                        message: "SYSTEM_RUN_DENIED: user denied")
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        var env = params.env
+        if wasAllowlisted, let overrides = env {
+            var merged = ProcessInfo.processInfo.environment
+            for (key, value) in overrides where key != "PATH" {
+                merged[key] = value
+            }
+            env = merged
+        }
+
         if params.needsScreenRecording == true {
             let authorized = await PermissionManager
                 .status([.screenRecording])[.screenRecording] ?? false
@@ -441,7 +479,7 @@ actor MacNodeRuntime {
         let result = await ShellExecutor.runDetailed(
             command: command,
             cwd: params.cwd,
-            env: params.env,
+            env: env,
             timeout: timeoutSec)
 
         struct RunPayload: Encodable {
@@ -529,6 +567,10 @@ actor MacNodeRuntime {
         UserDefaults.standard.object(forKey: cameraEnabledKey) as? Bool ?? false
     }
 
+    private nonisolated static func systemRunPolicy() -> SystemRunPolicy {
+        SystemRunPolicy.load()
+    }
+
     private nonisolated static func locationMode() -> ClawdbotLocationMode {
         let raw = UserDefaults.standard.string(forKey: locationModeKey) ?? "off"
         return ClawdbotLocationMode(rawValue: raw) ?? .off

apps/macos/Sources/Clawdbot/NodeMode/MacNodeRuntimeMainActorServices.swift

@@ -1,7 +1,14 @@
+import AppKit
 import ClawdbotKit
 import CoreLocation
 import Foundation
 
+enum SystemRunDecision: Sendable {
+    case allowOnce
+    case allowAlways
+    case deny
+}
+
 @MainActor
 protocol MacNodeRuntimeMainActorServices: Sendable {
     func recordScreen(
@@ -17,6 +24,8 @@ protocol MacNodeRuntimeMainActorServices: Sendable {
         desiredAccuracy: ClawdbotLocationAccuracy,
         maxAgeMs: Int?,
         timeoutMs: Int?) async throws -> CLLocation
+
+    func confirmSystemRun(command: String, cwd: String?) async -> SystemRunDecision
 }
 
 @MainActor
@@ -57,4 +66,31 @@ final class LiveMacNodeRuntimeMainActorServices: MacNodeRuntimeMainActorServices
             maxAgeMs: maxAgeMs,
             timeoutMs: timeoutMs)
     }
+
+    func confirmSystemRun(command: String, cwd: String?) async -> SystemRunDecision {
+        let alert = NSAlert()
+        alert.alertStyle = .warning
+        alert.messageText = "Allow this command?"
+
+        var details = "Clawdbot wants to run:\n\n\(command)"
+        let trimmedCwd = cwd?.trimmingCharacters(in: .whitespacesAndNewlines) ?? ""
+        if !trimmedCwd.isEmpty {
+            details += "\n\nWorking directory:\n\(trimmedCwd)"
+        }
+        details += "\n\nThis runs on this Mac via node mode."
+        alert.informativeText = details
+
+        alert.addButton(withTitle: "Allow Once")
+        alert.addButton(withTitle: "Always Allow")
+        alert.addButton(withTitle: "Don't Allow")
+
+        switch alert.runModal() {
+        case .alertFirstButtonReturn:
+            return .allowOnce
+        case .alertSecondButtonReturn:
+            return .allowAlways
+        default:
+            return .deny
+        }
+    }
 }

apps/macos/Sources/Clawdbot/SystemRunPolicy.swift

@@ -0,0 +1,89 @@
+import Foundation
+
+enum SystemRunPolicy: String, CaseIterable, Identifiable {
+    case never
+    case ask
+    case always
+
+    var id: String { self.rawValue }
+
+    var title: String {
+        switch self {
+        case .never:
+            return "Never"
+        case .ask:
+            return "Always Ask"
+        case .always:
+            return "Always Allow"
+        }
+    }
+
+    static func load(from defaults: UserDefaults = .standard) -> SystemRunPolicy {
+        if let policy = MacNodeConfigFile.systemRunPolicy() {
+            return policy
+        }
+        if let raw = defaults.string(forKey: systemRunPolicyKey),
+           let policy = SystemRunPolicy(rawValue: raw)
+        {
+            MacNodeConfigFile.setSystemRunPolicy(policy)
+            return policy
+        }
+        if let legacy = defaults.object(forKey: systemRunEnabledKey) as? Bool {
+            let policy: SystemRunPolicy = legacy ? .ask : .never
+            MacNodeConfigFile.setSystemRunPolicy(policy)
+            return policy
+        }
+        let fallback: SystemRunPolicy = .ask
+        MacNodeConfigFile.setSystemRunPolicy(fallback)
+        return fallback
+    }
+}
+
+enum SystemRunAllowlist {
+    static func key(for argv: [String]) -> String {
+        let trimmed = argv.map { $0.trimmingCharacters(in: .whitespacesAndNewlines) }
+        guard !trimmed.isEmpty else { return "" }
+        if let data = try? JSONEncoder().encode(trimmed),
+           let json = String(data: data, encoding: .utf8)
+        {
+            return json
+        }
+        return trimmed.joined(separator: " ")
+    }
+
+    static func displayString(for argv: [String]) -> String {
+        argv.map { arg in
+            let trimmed = arg.trimmingCharacters(in: .whitespacesAndNewlines)
+            guard !trimmed.isEmpty else { return "\"\"" }
+            let needsQuotes = trimmed.contains { $0.isWhitespace || $0 == "\"" }
+            if !needsQuotes { return trimmed }
+            let escaped = trimmed.replacingOccurrences(of: "\"", with: "\\\"")
+            return "\"\(escaped)\""
+        }.joined(separator: " ")
+    }
+
+    static func load(from defaults: UserDefaults = .standard) -> Set<String> {
+        if let allowlist = MacNodeConfigFile.systemRunAllowlist() {
+            return Set(allowlist)
+        }
+        if let legacy = defaults.stringArray(forKey: systemRunAllowlistKey), !legacy.isEmpty {
+            MacNodeConfigFile.setSystemRunAllowlist(legacy)
+            return Set(legacy)
+        }
+        return []
+    }
+
+    static func contains(_ argv: [String], defaults: UserDefaults = .standard) -> Bool {
+        let key = key(for: argv)
+        return load(from: defaults).contains(key)
+    }
+
+    static func add(_ argv: [String], defaults: UserDefaults = .standard) {
+        let key = key(for: argv)
+        guard !key.isEmpty else { return }
+        var allowlist = load(from: defaults)
+        if allowlist.insert(key).inserted {
+            MacNodeConfigFile.setSystemRunAllowlist(Array(allowlist).sorted())
+        }
+    }
+}

docs/gateway/security.md

@@ -52,6 +52,22 @@ When the audit prints findings, treat this as a priority order:
 5. **Plugins/extensions**: only load what you explicitly trust.
 6. **Model choice**: prefer modern, instruction-hardened models for any bot with tools.
 
+## Node execution (system.run)
+
+If a macOS node is paired, the Gateway can invoke `system.run` on that node. This is **remote code execution** on the Mac:
+
+- Requires node pairing (approval + token).
+- Controlled on the Mac via **Settings → "Node Run Commands"**: "Always Ask" (default), "Always Allow", or "Never".
+- If you don’t want remote execution, set the policy to "Never" and remove node pairing for that Mac.
+
+## Dynamic skills (watcher / remote nodes)
+
+Clawdbot can refresh the skills list mid-session:
+- **Skills watcher**: changes to `SKILL.md` can update the skills snapshot on the next agent turn.
+- **Remote nodes**: connecting a macOS node can make macOS-only skills eligible (based on bin probing).
+
+Treat skill folders as **trusted code** and restrict who can modify them.
+
 ## The Threat Model
 
 Your AI assistant can:

docs/nodes/index.md

@@ -163,6 +163,7 @@ Notes:
 - `system.notify` respects notification permission state on the macOS app.
 - `system.run` supports `--cwd`, `--env KEY=VAL`, `--command-timeout`, and `--needs-screen-recording`.
 - `system.notify` supports `--priority <passive|active|timeSensitive>` and `--delivery <system|overlay|auto>`.
+- `system.run` is gated by the macOS app policy (Settings → "Node Run Commands"): "Always Ask" prompts per command, "Always Allow" runs without prompts, and "Never" disables the tool. Denied prompts return `SYSTEM_RUN_DENIED`; disabled returns `SYSTEM_RUN_DISABLED`.
 
 ## Permissions map
 

docs/platforms/macos.md

@@ -54,6 +54,38 @@ The macOS app presents itself as a node. Common commands:
 
 The node reports a `permissions` map so agents can decide what’s allowed.
 
+## Node run policy + allowlist
+
+`system.run` is controlled by the macOS app **Node Run Commands** policy:
+
+- `Always Ask`: prompt per command (default).
+- `Always Allow`: run without prompts.
+- `Never`: disable `system.run` (tool not advertised).
+
+The policy + allowlist live on the Mac in:
+
+```
+~/.clawdbot/macos-node.json
+```
+
+Schema:
+
+```json
+{
+  "systemRun": {
+    "policy": "ask",
+    "allowlist": [
+      "[\"/bin/echo\",\"hello\"]"
+    ]
+  }
+}
+```
+
+Notes:
+- `allowlist` entries are JSON-encoded argv arrays.
+- Choosing “Always Allow” in the prompt adds that command to the allowlist.
+- Allowlisted runs ignore `PATH` overrides; other env vars are merged with the app’s environment.
+
 ## Deep links
 
 The app registers the `clawdbot://` URL scheme for local actions.

docs/start/faq.md

@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ 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)
   - [How do I install skills on Linux?](#how-do-i-install-skills-on-linux)
+  - [Can I run Apple/macOS-only skills from Linux?](#can-i-run-applemacos-only-skills-from-linux)
   - [Do you have a Notion or HeyGen integration?](#do-you-have-a-notion-or-heygen-integration)
   - [How do I install the Chrome extension for browser takeover?](#how-do-i-install-the-chrome-extension-for-browser-takeover)
 - [Sandboxing and memory](#sandboxing-and-memory)
@@ -399,6 +400,40 @@ npm i -g clawdhub
 pnpm add -g clawdhub
 ```
 
+### Is there a way to run Apple/macOS-only skills if my Gateway runs on Linux?
+
+Not directly. macOS skills are gated by `metadata.clawdbot.os` plus required binaries, and skills only appear in the system prompt when they are eligible on the **Gateway host**. On Linux, `darwin`-only skills (like `imsg`, `apple-notes`, `apple-reminders`) will not load unless you override the gating.
+
+You have three supported patterns:
+
+**Option A - run the Gateway on a Mac (simplest).**  
+Run the Gateway where the macOS binaries exist, then connect from Linux in [remote mode](#how-do-i-run-clawdbot-in-remote-mode-client-connects-to-a-gateway-elsewhere) or over Tailscale. The skills load normally because the Gateway host is macOS.
+
+**Option B - use a macOS node (no SSH).**  
+Run the Gateway on Linux, pair a macOS node (menubar app), and set **Node Run Commands** to "Always Ask" or "Always Allow" on the Mac. Clawdbot can treat macOS-only skills as eligible when the required binaries exist on the node. The agent runs those skills via the `nodes` tool. If you choose "Always Ask", approving "Always Allow" in the prompt adds that command to the allowlist.
+
+**Option C - proxy macOS binaries over SSH (advanced).**  
+Keep the Gateway on Linux, but make the required CLI binaries resolve to SSH wrappers that run on a Mac. Then override the skill to allow Linux so it stays eligible.
+
+1) Create an SSH wrapper for the binary (example: `imsg`):
+   ```bash
+   #!/usr/bin/env bash
+   set -euo pipefail
+   exec ssh -T user@mac-host /opt/homebrew/bin/imsg "$@"
+   ```
+2) Put the wrapper on `PATH` on the Linux host (for example `~/bin/imsg`).
+3) Override the skill metadata (workspace or `~/.clawdbot/skills`) to allow Linux:
+   ```markdown
+   ---
+   name: imsg
+   description: iMessage/SMS CLI for listing chats, history, watch, and sending.
+   metadata: {"clawdbot":{"os":["darwin","linux"],"requires":{"bins":["imsg"]}}}
+   ---
+   ```
+4) Start a new session so the skills snapshot refreshes.
+
+For iMessage specifically, you can also point `channels.imessage.cliPath` at an SSH wrapper (Clawdbot only needs stdio). See [iMessage](/channels/imessage).
+
 ### Do you have a Notion or HeyGen integration?
 
 Not built‑in today.

docs/tools/skills-config.md

@@ -16,7 +16,9 @@ All skills-related configuration lives under `skills` in `~/.clawdbot/clawdbot.j
       extraDirs: [
         "~/Projects/agent-scripts/skills",
         "~/Projects/oss/some-skill-pack/skills"
-      ]
+      ],
+      watch: true,
+      watchDebounceMs: 250
     },
     install: {
       preferBrew: true,
@@ -42,6 +44,8 @@ All skills-related configuration lives under `skills` in `~/.clawdbot/clawdbot.j
 - `allowBundled`: optional allowlist for **bundled** skills only. When set, only
   bundled skills in the list are eligible (managed/workspace skills unaffected).
 - `load.extraDirs`: additional skill directories to scan (lowest precedence).
+- `load.watch`: watch skill folders and refresh the skills snapshot (default: true).
+- `load.watchDebounceMs`: debounce for skill watcher events in milliseconds (default: 250).
 - `install.preferBrew`: prefer brew installers when available (default: true).
 - `install.nodeManager`: node installer preference (`npm` | `pnpm` | `yarn` | `bun`, default: npm).
   This only affects **skill installs**; the Gateway runtime should still be Node
@@ -57,4 +61,4 @@ Per-skill fields:
 
 - Keys under `entries` map to the skill name by default. If a skill defines
   `metadata.clawdbot.skillKey`, use that key instead.
-- Changes to skills are picked up on the next new session.
+- Changes to skills are picked up on the next agent turn when the watcher is enabled.

docs/tools/skills.md

@@ -181,6 +181,29 @@ This is **scoped to the agent run**, not a global shell environment.
 
 Clawdbot snapshots the eligible skills **when a session starts** and reuses that list for subsequent turns in the same session. Changes to skills or config take effect on the next new session.
 
+Skills can also refresh mid-session when the skills watcher is enabled or when a new eligible remote node appears (see below). Think of this as a **hot reload**: the refreshed list is picked up on the next agent turn.
+
+## Remote macOS nodes (Linux gateway)
+
+If the Gateway is running on Linux but a **macOS node** is connected **with `system.run` allowed** (Node Run Commands policy not set to "Never"), Clawdbot can treat macOS-only skills as eligible when the required binaries are present on that node. The agent should execute those skills via the `nodes` tool (typically `nodes.run`).
+
+This relies on the node reporting its command support and on a bin probe via `system.run`. If the macOS node goes offline later, the skills remain visible; invocations may fail until the node reconnects.
+
+## Skills watcher (auto-refresh)
+
+By default, Clawdbot watches skill folders and bumps the skills snapshot when `SKILL.md` files change. Configure this under `skills.load`:
+
+```json5
+{
+  skills: {
+    load: {
+      watch: true,
+      watchDebounceMs: 250
+    }
+  }
+}
+```
+
 ## Token impact (skills list)
 
 When skills are eligible, Clawdbot injects a compact XML list of available skills into the system prompt (via `formatSkillsForPrompt` in `pi-coding-agent`). The cost is deterministic:

src/agents/skills-status.ts

@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import {
   resolveSkillConfig,
   resolveSkillsInstallPreferences,
   type SkillEntry,
+  type SkillEligibilityContext,
   type SkillInstallSpec,
   type SkillsInstallPreferences,
 } from "./skills.js";
@@ -135,6 +136,7 @@ function buildSkillStatus(
   entry: SkillEntry,
   config?: ClawdbotConfig,
   prefs?: SkillsInstallPreferences,
+  eligibility?: SkillEligibilityContext,
 ): SkillStatusEntry {
   const skillKey = resolveSkillKey(entry);
   const skillConfig = resolveSkillConfig(config, skillKey);
@@ -156,13 +158,25 @@ function buildSkillStatus(
   const requiredConfig = entry.clawdbot?.requires?.config ?? [];
   const requiredOs = entry.clawdbot?.os ?? [];
 
-  const missingBins = requiredBins.filter((bin) => !hasBinary(bin));
+  const missingBins = requiredBins.filter((bin) => {
+    if (hasBinary(bin)) return false;
+    if (eligibility?.remote?.hasBin?.(bin)) return false;
+    return true;
+  });
   const missingAnyBins =
-    requiredAnyBins.length > 0 && !requiredAnyBins.some((bin) => hasBinary(bin))
+    requiredAnyBins.length > 0 &&
+    !(
+      requiredAnyBins.some((bin) => hasBinary(bin)) ||
+      eligibility?.remote?.hasAnyBin?.(requiredAnyBins)
+    )
       ? requiredAnyBins
       : [];
   const missingOs =
-    requiredOs.length > 0 && !requiredOs.includes(process.platform) ? requiredOs : [];
+    requiredOs.length > 0 &&
+    !requiredOs.includes(process.platform) &&
+    !eligibility?.remote?.platforms?.some((platform) => requiredOs.includes(platform))
+      ? requiredOs
+      : [];
 
   const missingEnv: string[] = [];
   for (const envName of requiredEnv) {
@@ -233,6 +247,7 @@ export function buildWorkspaceSkillStatus(
     config?: ClawdbotConfig;
     managedSkillsDir?: string;
     entries?: SkillEntry[];
+    eligibility?: SkillEligibilityContext;
   },
 ): SkillStatusReport {
   const managedSkillsDir = opts?.managedSkillsDir ?? path.join(CONFIG_DIR, "skills");
@@ -241,6 +256,8 @@ export function buildWorkspaceSkillStatus(
   return {
     workspaceDir,
     managedSkillsDir,
-    skills: skillEntries.map((entry) => buildSkillStatus(entry, opts?.config, prefs)),
+    skills: skillEntries.map((entry) =>
+      buildSkillStatus(entry, opts?.config, prefs, opts?.eligibility),
+    ),
   };
 }

src/agents/skills.ts

@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ export {
 } from "./skills/env-overrides.js";
 export type {
   ClawdbotSkillMetadata,
+  SkillEligibilityContext,
   SkillEntry,
   SkillInstallSpec,
   SkillSnapshot,

src/agents/skills/config.ts

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ import fs from "node:fs";
 import path from "node:path";
 import type { ClawdbotConfig, SkillConfig } from "../../config/config.js";
 import { resolveSkillKey } from "./frontmatter.js";
-import type { SkillEntry } from "./types.js";
+import type { SkillEligibilityContext, SkillEntry } from "./types.js";
 
 const DEFAULT_CONFIG_VALUES: Record<string, boolean> = {
   "browser.enabled": true,
@@ -89,16 +89,22 @@ export function hasBinary(bin: string): boolean {
 export function shouldIncludeSkill(params: {
   entry: SkillEntry;
   config?: ClawdbotConfig;
+  eligibility?: SkillEligibilityContext;
 }): boolean {
-  const { entry, config } = params;
+  const { entry, config, eligibility } = params;
   const skillKey = resolveSkillKey(entry.skill, entry);
   const skillConfig = resolveSkillConfig(config, skillKey);
   const allowBundled = normalizeAllowlist(config?.skills?.allowBundled);
   const osList = entry.clawdbot?.os ?? [];
+  const remotePlatforms = eligibility?.remote?.platforms ?? [];
 
   if (skillConfig?.enabled === false) return false;
   if (!isBundledSkillAllowed(entry, allowBundled)) return false;
-  if (osList.length > 0 && !osList.includes(resolveRuntimePlatform())) {
+  if (
+    osList.length > 0 &&
+    !osList.includes(resolveRuntimePlatform()) &&
+    !remotePlatforms.some((platform) => osList.includes(platform))
+  ) {
     return false;
   }
   if (entry.clawdbot?.always === true) {
@@ -108,12 +114,16 @@ export function shouldIncludeSkill(params: {
   const requiredBins = entry.clawdbot?.requires?.bins ?? [];
   if (requiredBins.length > 0) {
     for (const bin of requiredBins) {
-      if (!hasBinary(bin)) return false;
+      if (hasBinary(bin)) continue;
+      if (eligibility?.remote?.hasBin?.(bin)) continue;
+      return false;
     }
   }
   const requiredAnyBins = entry.clawdbot?.requires?.anyBins ?? [];
   if (requiredAnyBins.length > 0) {
-    const anyFound = requiredAnyBins.some((bin) => hasBinary(bin));
+    const anyFound =
+      requiredAnyBins.some((bin) => hasBinary(bin)) ||
+      eligibility?.remote?.hasAnyBin?.(requiredAnyBins);
     if (!anyFound) return false;
   }
 

src/agents/skills/refresh.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,158 @@
+import path from "node:path";
+
+import chokidar, { type FSWatcher } from "chokidar";
+
+import type { ClawdbotConfig } from "../../config/config.js";
+import { createSubsystemLogger } from "../../logging.js";
+import { CONFIG_DIR, resolveUserPath } from "../../utils.js";
+
+type SkillsChangeEvent = {
+  workspaceDir?: string;
+  reason: "watch" | "manual" | "remote-node";
+  changedPath?: string;
+};
+
+type SkillsWatchState = {
+  watcher: FSWatcher;
+  pathsKey: string;
+  debounceMs: number;
+  timer?: ReturnType<typeof setTimeout>;
+  pendingPath?: string;
+};
+
+const log = createSubsystemLogger("gateway/skills");
+const listeners = new Set<(event: SkillsChangeEvent) => void>();
+const workspaceVersions = new Map<string, number>();
+const watchers = new Map<string, SkillsWatchState>();
+let globalVersion = 0;
+
+function bumpVersion(current: number): number {
+  const now = Date.now();
+  return now <= current ? current + 1 : now;
+}
+
+function emit(event: SkillsChangeEvent) {
+  for (const listener of listeners) {
+    try {
+      listener(event);
+    } catch (err) {
+      log.warn(`skills change listener failed: ${String(err)}`);
+    }
+  }
+}
+
+function resolveWatchPaths(workspaceDir: string, config?: ClawdbotConfig): string[] {
+  const paths: string[] = [];
+  if (workspaceDir.trim()) {
+    paths.push(path.join(workspaceDir, "skills"));
+  }
+  paths.push(path.join(CONFIG_DIR, "skills"));
+  const extraDirsRaw = config?.skills?.load?.extraDirs ?? [];
+  const extraDirs = extraDirsRaw
+    .map((d) => (typeof d === "string" ? d.trim() : ""))
+    .filter(Boolean)
+    .map((dir) => resolveUserPath(dir));
+  paths.push(...extraDirs);
+  return paths;
+}
+
+export function registerSkillsChangeListener(listener: (event: SkillsChangeEvent) => void) {
+  listeners.add(listener);
+  return () => {
+    listeners.delete(listener);
+  };
+}
+
+export function bumpSkillsSnapshotVersion(params?: {
+  workspaceDir?: string;
+  reason?: SkillsChangeEvent["reason"];
+  changedPath?: string;
+}): number {
+  const reason = params?.reason ?? "manual";
+  const changedPath = params?.changedPath;
+  if (params?.workspaceDir) {
+    const current = workspaceVersions.get(params.workspaceDir) ?? 0;
+    const next = bumpVersion(current);
+    workspaceVersions.set(params.workspaceDir, next);
+    emit({ workspaceDir: params.workspaceDir, reason, changedPath });
+    return next;
+  }
+  globalVersion = bumpVersion(globalVersion);
+  emit({ reason, changedPath });
+  return globalVersion;
+}
+
+export function getSkillsSnapshotVersion(workspaceDir?: string): number {
+  if (!workspaceDir) return globalVersion;
+  const local = workspaceVersions.get(workspaceDir) ?? 0;
+  return Math.max(globalVersion, local);
+}
+
+export function ensureSkillsWatcher(params: {
+  workspaceDir: string;
+  config?: ClawdbotConfig;
+}) {
+  const workspaceDir = params.workspaceDir.trim();
+  if (!workspaceDir) return;
+  const watchEnabled = params.config?.skills?.load?.watch !== false;
+  const debounceMsRaw = params.config?.skills?.load?.watchDebounceMs;
+  const debounceMs =
+    typeof debounceMsRaw === "number" && Number.isFinite(debounceMsRaw)
+      ? Math.max(0, debounceMsRaw)
+      : 250;
+
+  const existing = watchers.get(workspaceDir);
+  if (!watchEnabled) {
+    if (existing) {
+      watchers.delete(workspaceDir);
+      existing.timer && clearTimeout(existing.timer);
+      void existing.watcher.close().catch(() => {});
+    }
+    return;
+  }
+
+  const watchPaths = resolveWatchPaths(workspaceDir, params.config);
+  const pathsKey = watchPaths.join("|");
+  if (existing && existing.pathsKey === pathsKey && existing.debounceMs === debounceMs) {
+    return;
+  }
+  if (existing) {
+    watchers.delete(workspaceDir);
+    existing.timer && clearTimeout(existing.timer);
+    void existing.watcher.close().catch(() => {});
+  }
+
+  const watcher = chokidar.watch(watchPaths, {
+    ignoreInitial: true,
+    awaitWriteFinish: {
+      stabilityThreshold: debounceMs,
+      pollInterval: 100,
+    },
+  });
+
+  const state: SkillsWatchState = { watcher, pathsKey, debounceMs };
+
+  const schedule = (changedPath?: string) => {
+    state.pendingPath = changedPath ?? state.pendingPath;
+    if (state.timer) clearTimeout(state.timer);
+    state.timer = setTimeout(() => {
+      const pendingPath = state.pendingPath;
+      state.pendingPath = undefined;
+      state.timer = undefined;
+      bumpSkillsSnapshotVersion({
+        workspaceDir,
+        reason: "watch",
+        changedPath: pendingPath,
+      });
+    }, debounceMs);
+  };
+
+  watcher.on("add", (p) => schedule(p));
+  watcher.on("change", (p) => schedule(p));
+  watcher.on("unlink", (p) => schedule(p));
+  watcher.on("error", (err) => {
+    log.warn(`skills watcher error (${workspaceDir}): ${String(err)}`);
+  });
+
+  watchers.set(workspaceDir, state);
+}

src/agents/skills/types.ts

@@ -39,8 +39,18 @@ export type SkillEntry = {
   clawdbot?: ClawdbotSkillMetadata;
 };
 
+export type SkillEligibilityContext = {
+  remote?: {
+    platforms: string[];
+    hasBin: (bin: string) => boolean;
+    hasAnyBin: (bins: string[]) => boolean;
+    note?: string;
+  };
+};
+
 export type SkillSnapshot = {
   prompt: string;
   skills: Array<{ name: string; primaryEnv?: string }>;
   resolvedSkills?: Skill[];
+  version?: number;
 };

src/agents/skills/workspace.ts

@@ -13,7 +13,12 @@ import { resolveBundledSkillsDir } from "./bundled-dir.js";
 import { shouldIncludeSkill } from "./config.js";
 import { parseFrontmatter, resolveClawdbotMetadata } from "./frontmatter.js";
 import { serializeByKey } from "./serialize.js";
-import type { ParsedSkillFrontmatter, SkillEntry, SkillSnapshot } from "./types.js";
+import type {
+  ParsedSkillFrontmatter,
+  SkillEligibilityContext,
+  SkillEntry,
+  SkillSnapshot,
+} from "./types.js";
 
 const fsp = fs.promises;
 
@@ -21,8 +26,9 @@ function filterSkillEntries(
   entries: SkillEntry[],
   config?: ClawdbotConfig,
   skillFilter?: string[],
+  eligibility?: SkillEligibilityContext,
 ): SkillEntry[] {
-  let filtered = entries.filter((entry) => shouldIncludeSkill({ entry, config }));
+  let filtered = entries.filter((entry) => shouldIncludeSkill({ entry, config, eligibility }));
   // If skillFilter is provided, only include skills in the filter list.
   if (skillFilter !== undefined) {
     const normalized = skillFilter.map((entry) => String(entry).trim()).filter(Boolean);
@@ -122,18 +128,28 @@ export function buildWorkspaceSkillSnapshot(
     entries?: SkillEntry[];
     /** If provided, only include skills with these names */
     skillFilter?: string[];
+    eligibility?: SkillEligibilityContext;
+    snapshotVersion?: number;
   },
 ): SkillSnapshot {
   const skillEntries = opts?.entries ?? loadSkillEntries(workspaceDir, opts);
-  const eligible = filterSkillEntries(skillEntries, opts?.config, opts?.skillFilter);
+  const eligible = filterSkillEntries(
+    skillEntries,
+    opts?.config,
+    opts?.skillFilter,
+    opts?.eligibility,
+  );
   const resolvedSkills = eligible.map((entry) => entry.skill);
+  const remoteNote = opts?.eligibility?.remote?.note?.trim();
+  const prompt = [remoteNote, formatSkillsForPrompt(resolvedSkills)].filter(Boolean).join("\n");
   return {
-    prompt: formatSkillsForPrompt(resolvedSkills),
+    prompt,
     skills: eligible.map((entry) => ({
       name: entry.skill.name,
       primaryEnv: entry.clawdbot?.primaryEnv,
     })),
     resolvedSkills,
+    version: opts?.snapshotVersion,
   };
 }
 
@@ -146,11 +162,20 @@ export function buildWorkspaceSkillsPrompt(
     entries?: SkillEntry[];
     /** If provided, only include skills with these names */
     skillFilter?: string[];
+    eligibility?: SkillEligibilityContext;
   },
 ): string {
   const skillEntries = opts?.entries ?? loadSkillEntries(workspaceDir, opts);
-  const eligible = filterSkillEntries(skillEntries, opts?.config, opts?.skillFilter);
-  return formatSkillsForPrompt(eligible.map((entry) => entry.skill));
+  const eligible = filterSkillEntries(
+    skillEntries,
+    opts?.config,
+    opts?.skillFilter,
+    opts?.eligibility,
+  );
+  const remoteNote = opts?.eligibility?.remote?.note?.trim();
+  return [remoteNote, formatSkillsForPrompt(eligible.map((entry) => entry.skill))]
+    .filter(Boolean)
+    .join("\n");
 }
 
 export function resolveSkillsPromptForRun(params: {

src/auto-reply/reply/commands-context-report.ts

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import {
 import { createClawdbotCodingTools } from "../../agents/pi-tools.js";
 import { resolveSandboxRuntimeStatus } from "../../agents/sandbox.js";
 import { buildWorkspaceSkillSnapshot } from "../../agents/skills.js";
+import { getSkillsSnapshotVersion } from "../../agents/skills/refresh.js";
 import { buildAgentSystemPrompt } from "../../agents/system-prompt.js";
 import { buildSystemPromptReport } from "../../agents/system-prompt-report.js";
 import { buildToolSummaryMap } from "../../agents/tool-summaries.js";
@@ -13,6 +14,7 @@ import {
   loadWorkspaceBootstrapFiles,
 } from "../../agents/workspace.js";
 import type { SessionSystemPromptReport } from "../../config/sessions/types.js";
+import { getRemoteSkillEligibility } from "../../infra/skills-remote.js";
 import type { ReplyPayload } from "../types.js";
 import type { HandleCommandsParams } from "./commands-types.js";
 
@@ -62,7 +64,11 @@ async function resolveContextReport(
   });
   const skillsSnapshot = (() => {
     try {
-      return buildWorkspaceSkillSnapshot(workspaceDir, { config: params.cfg });
+      return buildWorkspaceSkillSnapshot(workspaceDir, {
+        config: params.cfg,
+        eligibility: { remote: getRemoteSkillEligibility() },
+        snapshotVersion: getSkillsSnapshotVersion(workspaceDir),
+      });
     } catch {
       return { prompt: "", skills: [], resolvedSkills: [] };
     }

src/auto-reply/reply/session-updates.ts

@@ -1,9 +1,14 @@
 import crypto from "node:crypto";
 
 import { buildWorkspaceSkillSnapshot } from "../../agents/skills.js";
+import {
+  ensureSkillsWatcher,
+  getSkillsSnapshotVersion,
+} from "../../agents/skills/refresh.js";
 import type { ClawdbotConfig } from "../../config/config.js";
 import { type SessionEntry, updateSessionStore } from "../../config/sessions.js";
 import { buildChannelSummary } from "../../infra/channel-summary.js";
+import { getRemoteSkillEligibility } from "../../infra/skills-remote.js";
 import { drainSystemEventEntries } from "../../infra/system-events.js";
 
 export async function prependSystemEvents(params: {
@@ -88,6 +93,11 @@ export async function ensureSkillSnapshot(params: {
 
   let nextEntry = sessionEntry;
   let systemSent = sessionEntry?.systemSent ?? false;
+  const remoteEligibility = getRemoteSkillEligibility();
+  const snapshotVersion = getSkillsSnapshotVersion(workspaceDir);
+  ensureSkillsWatcher({ workspaceDir, config: cfg });
+  const shouldRefreshSnapshot =
+    snapshotVersion > 0 && (nextEntry?.skillsSnapshot?.version ?? 0) < snapshotVersion;
 
   if (isFirstTurnInSession && sessionStore && sessionKey) {
     const current = nextEntry ??
@@ -96,10 +106,12 @@ export async function ensureSkillSnapshot(params: {
         updatedAt: Date.now(),
       };
     const skillSnapshot =
-      isFirstTurnInSession || !current.skillsSnapshot
+      isFirstTurnInSession || !current.skillsSnapshot || shouldRefreshSnapshot
         ? buildWorkspaceSkillSnapshot(workspaceDir, {
             config: cfg,
             skillFilter,
+            eligibility: { remote: remoteEligibility },
+            snapshotVersion,
           })
         : current.skillsSnapshot;
     nextEntry = {
@@ -118,20 +130,28 @@ export async function ensureSkillSnapshot(params: {
     systemSent = true;
   }
 
-  const skillsSnapshot =
-    nextEntry?.skillsSnapshot ??
-    (isFirstTurnInSession
-      ? undefined
-      : buildWorkspaceSkillSnapshot(workspaceDir, {
-          config: cfg,
-          skillFilter,
-        }));
+  const skillsSnapshot = shouldRefreshSnapshot
+    ? buildWorkspaceSkillSnapshot(workspaceDir, {
+        config: cfg,
+        skillFilter,
+        eligibility: { remote: remoteEligibility },
+        snapshotVersion,
+      })
+    : nextEntry?.skillsSnapshot ??
+      (isFirstTurnInSession
+        ? undefined
+        : buildWorkspaceSkillSnapshot(workspaceDir, {
+            config: cfg,
+            skillFilter,
+            eligibility: { remote: remoteEligibility },
+            snapshotVersion,
+          }));
   if (
     skillsSnapshot &&
     sessionStore &&
     sessionKey &&
     !isFirstTurnInSession &&
-    !nextEntry?.skillsSnapshot
+    (!nextEntry?.skillsSnapshot || shouldRefreshSnapshot)
   ) {
     const current = nextEntry ?? {
       sessionId: sessionId ?? crypto.randomUUID(),

src/commands/agent.ts

@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ import {
 } from "../agents/model-selection.js";
 import { runEmbeddedPiAgent } from "../agents/pi-embedded.js";
 import { buildWorkspaceSkillSnapshot } from "../agents/skills.js";
+import { getSkillsSnapshotVersion } from "../agents/skills/refresh.js";
 import { resolveAgentTimeoutMs } from "../agents/timeout.js";
 import { ensureAgentWorkspace } from "../agents/workspace.js";
 import {
@@ -43,6 +44,7 @@ import {
   emitAgentEvent,
   registerAgentRunContext,
 } from "../infra/agent-events.js";
+import { getRemoteSkillEligibility } from "../infra/skills-remote.js";
 import { defaultRuntime, type RuntimeEnv } from "../runtime.js";
 import { applyVerboseOverride } from "../sessions/level-overrides.js";
 import { resolveSendPolicy } from "../sessions/send-policy.js";
@@ -157,8 +159,13 @@ export async function agentCommand(
     }
 
     const needsSkillsSnapshot = isNewSession || !sessionEntry?.skillsSnapshot;
+    const skillsSnapshotVersion = getSkillsSnapshotVersion(workspaceDir);
     const skillsSnapshot = needsSkillsSnapshot
-      ? buildWorkspaceSkillSnapshot(workspaceDir, { config: cfg })
+      ? buildWorkspaceSkillSnapshot(workspaceDir, {
+          config: cfg,
+          eligibility: { remote: getRemoteSkillEligibility() },
+          snapshotVersion: skillsSnapshotVersion,
+        })
       : sessionEntry?.skillsSnapshot;
 
     if (skillsSnapshot && sessionStore && sessionKey && needsSkillsSnapshot) {

src/commands/status-all.ts

@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ import { inspectPortUsage } from "../infra/ports.js";
 import { readRestartSentinel } from "../infra/restart-sentinel.js";
 import { readTailscaleStatusJson } from "../infra/tailscale.js";
 import { checkUpdateStatus, compareSemverStrings } from "../infra/update-check.js";
+import { getRemoteSkillEligibility } from "../infra/skills-remote.js";
 import { runExec } from "../process/exec.js";
 import type { RuntimeEnv } from "../runtime.js";
 import { VERSION } from "../version.js";
@@ -217,6 +218,7 @@ export async function statusAllCommand(
             try {
               return buildWorkspaceSkillStatus(defaultWorkspace, {
                 config: cfg,
+                eligibility: { remote: getRemoteSkillEligibility() },
               });
             } catch {
               return null;

src/config/schema.ts

@@ -120,6 +120,8 @@ const FIELD_LABELS: Record<string, string> = {
   "gateway.http.endpoints.chatCompletions.enabled": "OpenAI Chat Completions Endpoint",
   "gateway.reload.mode": "Config Reload Mode",
   "gateway.reload.debounceMs": "Config Reload Debounce (ms)",
+  "skills.load.watch": "Watch Skills",
+  "skills.load.watchDebounceMs": "Skills Watch Debounce (ms)",
   "agents.defaults.workspace": "Workspace",
   "agents.defaults.bootstrapMaxChars": "Bootstrap Max Chars",
   "agents.defaults.memorySearch": "Memory Search",

src/config/sessions/types.ts

@@ -95,6 +95,7 @@ export type SessionSkillSnapshot = {
   prompt: string;
   skills: Array<{ name: string; primaryEnv?: string }>;
   resolvedSkills?: Skill[];
+  version?: number;
 };
 
 export type SessionSystemPromptReport = {

src/config/types.skills.ts

@@ -11,6 +11,10 @@ export type SkillsLoadConfig = {
    * Each directory should contain skill subfolders with `SKILL.md`.
    */
   extraDirs?: string[];
+  /** Watch skill folders for changes and refresh the skills snapshot. */
+  watch?: boolean;
+  /** Debounce for the skills watcher (ms). */
+  watchDebounceMs?: number;
 };
 
 export type SkillsInstallConfig = {

src/config/zod-schema.ts

@@ -270,6 +270,8 @@ export const ClawdbotSchema = z
         load: z
           .object({
             extraDirs: z.array(z.string()).optional(),
+            watch: z.boolean().optional(),
+            watchDebounceMs: z.number().int().min(0).optional(),
           })
           .optional(),
         install: z

src/cron/isolated-agent/run.ts

@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ import {
 } from "../../agents/model-selection.js";
 import { runEmbeddedPiAgent } from "../../agents/pi-embedded.js";
 import { buildWorkspaceSkillSnapshot } from "../../agents/skills.js";
+import { getSkillsSnapshotVersion } from "../../agents/skills/refresh.js";
 import { resolveAgentTimeoutMs } from "../../agents/timeout.js";
 import { hasNonzeroUsage } from "../../agents/usage.js";
 import { ensureAgentWorkspace } from "../../agents/workspace.js";
@@ -34,6 +35,7 @@ import { resolveSessionTranscriptPath, updateSessionStore } from "../../config/s
 import type { AgentDefaultsConfig } from "../../config/types.js";
 import { registerAgentRunContext } from "../../infra/agent-events.js";
 import { deliverOutboundPayloads } from "../../infra/outbound/deliver.js";
+import { getRemoteSkillEligibility } from "../../infra/skills-remote.js";
 import { buildAgentMainSessionKey, normalizeAgentId } from "../../routing/session-key.js";
 import type { CronJob } from "../types.js";
 import { resolveDeliveryTarget } from "./delivery-target.js";
@@ -205,9 +207,12 @@ export async function runCronIsolatedAgentTurn(params: {
   const commandBody = base;
 
   const needsSkillsSnapshot = cronSession.isNewSession || !cronSession.sessionEntry.skillsSnapshot;
+  const skillsSnapshotVersion = getSkillsSnapshotVersion(workspaceDir);
   const skillsSnapshot = needsSkillsSnapshot
     ? buildWorkspaceSkillSnapshot(workspaceDir, {
         config: cfgWithAgentDefaults,
+        eligibility: { remote: getRemoteSkillEligibility() },
+        snapshotVersion: skillsSnapshotVersion,
       })
     : cronSession.sessionEntry.skillsSnapshot;
   if (needsSkillsSnapshot && skillsSnapshot) {

src/gateway/server-bridge-runtime.ts

@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ import type { CanvasHostHandler, CanvasHostServer } from "../canvas-host/server.
 import { startCanvasHost } from "../canvas-host/server.js";
 import type { CliDeps } from "../cli/deps.js";
 import type { HealthSummary } from "../commands/health.js";
+import type { ClawdbotConfig } from "../config/config.js";
 import { deriveDefaultBridgePort, deriveDefaultCanvasHostPort } from "../config/port-defaults.js";
 import type { NodeBridgeServer } from "../infra/bridge/server.js";
 import { pickPrimaryTailnetIPv4, pickPrimaryTailnetIPv6 } from "../infra/tailnet.js";
@@ -33,15 +34,7 @@ export type GatewayBridgeRuntime = {
 };
 
 export async function startGatewayBridgeRuntime(params: {
-  cfg: {
-    bridge?: {
-      enabled?: boolean;
-      port?: number;
-      bind?: "loopback" | "lan" | "auto" | "custom";
-    };
-    canvasHost?: { port?: number; root?: string; liveReload?: boolean };
-    discovery?: { wideArea?: { enabled?: boolean } };
-  };
+  cfg: ClawdbotConfig;
   port: number;
   canvasHostEnabled: boolean;
   canvasHost: CanvasHostHandler | null;
@@ -200,6 +193,7 @@ export async function startGatewayBridgeRuntime(params: {
       : undefined;
 
   const bridgeRuntime = await startGatewayNodeBridge({
+    cfg: params.cfg,
     bridgeEnabled,
     bridgePort,
     bridgeHost,

src/gateway/server-methods/skills.ts

@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ import { installSkill } from "../../agents/skills-install.js";
 import { buildWorkspaceSkillStatus } from "../../agents/skills-status.js";
 import type { ClawdbotConfig } from "../../config/config.js";
 import { loadConfig, writeConfigFile } from "../../config/config.js";
+import { getRemoteSkillEligibility } from "../../infra/skills-remote.js";
 import {
   ErrorCodes,
   errorShape,
@@ -30,6 +31,7 @@ export const skillsHandlers: GatewayRequestHandlers = {
     const workspaceDir = resolveAgentWorkspaceDir(cfg, resolveDefaultAgentId(cfg));
     const report = buildWorkspaceSkillStatus(workspaceDir, {
       config: cfg,
+      eligibility: { remote: getRemoteSkillEligibility() },
     });
     respond(true, report, undefined);
   },

src/gateway/server-node-bridge.ts

@@ -1,5 +1,8 @@
 import type { NodeBridgeServer } from "../infra/bridge/server.js";
 import { startNodeBridgeServer } from "../infra/bridge/server.js";
+import type { ClawdbotConfig } from "../config/config.js";
+import { bumpSkillsSnapshotVersion } from "../agents/skills/refresh.js";
+import { recordRemoteNodeInfo, refreshRemoteNodeBins } from "../infra/skills-remote.js";
 import { listSystemPresence, upsertPresence } from "../infra/system-presence.js";
 import { loadVoiceWakeConfig } from "../infra/voicewake.js";
 import { isLoopbackAddress } from "./net.js";
@@ -16,6 +19,7 @@ export type GatewayNodeBridgeRuntime = {
 };
 
 export async function startGatewayNodeBridge(params: {
+  cfg: ClawdbotConfig;
   bridgeEnabled: boolean;
   bridgePort: number;
   bridgeHost: string | null;
@@ -114,6 +118,21 @@ export async function startGatewayNodeBridge(params: {
         onAuthenticated: async (node) => {
           beaconNodePresence(node, "node-connected");
           startNodePresenceTimer(node);
+          recordRemoteNodeInfo({
+            nodeId: node.nodeId,
+            displayName: node.displayName,
+            platform: node.platform,
+            deviceFamily: node.deviceFamily,
+            commands: node.commands,
+          });
+          bumpSkillsSnapshotVersion({ reason: "remote-node" });
+          await refreshRemoteNodeBins({
+            nodeId: node.nodeId,
+            platform: node.platform,
+            deviceFamily: node.deviceFamily,
+            commands: node.commands,
+            cfg: params.cfg,
+          });
 
           try {
             const cfg = await loadVoiceWakeConfig();

src/gateway/server.impl.ts

@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import { resolveAgentWorkspaceDir, resolveDefaultAgentId } from "../agents/agent-scope.js";
 import { initSubagentRegistry } from "../agents/subagent-registry.js";
+import { registerSkillsChangeListener } from "../agents/skills/refresh.js";
 import type { CanvasHostServer } from "../canvas-host/server.js";
 import { type ChannelId, listChannelPlugins } from "../channels/plugins/index.js";
 import { createDefaultDeps } from "../cli/deps.js";
@@ -16,6 +17,11 @@ import { onHeartbeatEvent } from "../infra/heartbeat-events.js";
 import { startHeartbeatRunner } from "../infra/heartbeat-runner.js";
 import { getMachineDisplayName } from "../infra/machine-name.js";
 import { ensureClawdbotCliOnPath } from "../infra/path-env.js";
+import {
+  primeRemoteSkillsCache,
+  refreshRemoteBinsForConnectedNodes,
+  setSkillsRemoteBridge,
+} from "../infra/skills-remote.js";
 import { autoMigrateLegacyState } from "../infra/state-migrations.js";
 import { createSubsystemLogger, runtimeForLogger } from "../logging.js";
 import type { PluginServicesHandle } from "../plugins/services.js";
@@ -288,6 +294,13 @@ export async function startGatewayServer(
   const bridgeSendToAllSubscribed = bridgeRuntime.bridgeSendToAllSubscribed;
   const broadcastVoiceWakeChanged = bridgeRuntime.broadcastVoiceWakeChanged;
 
+  setSkillsRemoteBridge(bridge);
+  void primeRemoteSkillsCache();
+  registerSkillsChangeListener(() => {
+    const latest = loadConfig();
+    void refreshRemoteBinsForConnectedNodes(latest);
+  });
+
   const { tickInterval, healthInterval, dedupeCleanup } = startGatewayMaintenanceTimers({
     broadcast,
     bridgeSendToAllSubscribed,

src/infra/node-pairing.ts

@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ export type NodePairingPairedNode = {
   modelIdentifier?: string;
   caps?: string[];
   commands?: string[];
+  bins?: string[];
   permissions?: Record<string, boolean>;
   remoteIp?: string;
   createdAtMs: number;
@@ -272,6 +273,7 @@ export async function updatePairedNodeMetadata(
       remoteIp: patch.remoteIp ?? existing.remoteIp,
       caps: patch.caps ?? existing.caps,
       commands: patch.commands ?? existing.commands,
+      bins: patch.bins ?? existing.bins,
       permissions: patch.permissions ?? existing.permissions,
     };
 

src/infra/skills-remote.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,226 @@
+import type { SkillEligibilityContext, SkillEntry } from "../agents/skills.js";
+import { loadWorkspaceSkillEntries } from "../agents/skills.js";
+import { resolveAgentWorkspaceDir, resolveDefaultAgentId } from "../agents/agent-scope.js";
+import type { ClawdbotConfig } from "../config/config.js";
+import type { NodeBridgeServer } from "./bridge/server.js";
+import { listNodePairing, updatePairedNodeMetadata } from "./node-pairing.js";
+import { createSubsystemLogger } from "../logging.js";
+import { bumpSkillsSnapshotVersion } from "../agents/skills/refresh.js";
+
+type RemoteNodeRecord = {
+  nodeId: string;
+  displayName?: string;
+  platform?: string;
+  deviceFamily?: string;
+  commands?: string[];
+  bins: Set<string>;
+};
+
+const log = createSubsystemLogger("gateway/skills-remote");
+const remoteNodes = new Map<string, RemoteNodeRecord>();
+let remoteBridge: NodeBridgeServer | null = null;
+
+function isMacPlatform(platform?: string, deviceFamily?: string): boolean {
+  const platformNorm = String(platform ?? "").trim().toLowerCase();
+  const familyNorm = String(deviceFamily ?? "").trim().toLowerCase();
+  if (platformNorm.includes("mac")) return true;
+  if (platformNorm.includes("darwin")) return true;
+  if (familyNorm === "mac") return true;
+  return false;
+}
+
+function supportsSystemRun(commands?: string[]): boolean {
+  return Array.isArray(commands) && commands.includes("system.run");
+}
+
+function upsertNode(record: {
+  nodeId: string;
+  displayName?: string;
+  platform?: string;
+  deviceFamily?: string;
+  commands?: string[];
+  bins?: string[];
+}) {
+  const existing = remoteNodes.get(record.nodeId);
+  const bins = new Set<string>(record.bins ?? existing?.bins ?? []);
+  remoteNodes.set(record.nodeId, {
+    nodeId: record.nodeId,
+    displayName: record.displayName ?? existing?.displayName,
+    platform: record.platform ?? existing?.platform,
+    deviceFamily: record.deviceFamily ?? existing?.deviceFamily,
+    commands: record.commands ?? existing?.commands,
+    bins,
+  });
+}
+
+export function setSkillsRemoteBridge(bridge: NodeBridgeServer | null) {
+  remoteBridge = bridge;
+}
+
+export async function primeRemoteSkillsCache() {
+  try {
+    const list = await listNodePairing();
+    let sawMac = false;
+    for (const node of list.paired) {
+      upsertNode({
+        nodeId: node.nodeId,
+        displayName: node.displayName,
+        platform: node.platform,
+        deviceFamily: node.deviceFamily,
+        commands: node.commands,
+        bins: node.bins,
+      });
+      if (isMacPlatform(node.platform, node.deviceFamily) && supportsSystemRun(node.commands)) {
+        sawMac = true;
+      }
+    }
+    if (sawMac) {
+      bumpSkillsSnapshotVersion({ reason: "remote-node" });
+    }
+  } catch (err) {
+    log.warn(`failed to prime remote skills cache: ${String(err)}`);
+  }
+}
+
+export function recordRemoteNodeInfo(node: {
+  nodeId: string;
+  displayName?: string;
+  platform?: string;
+  deviceFamily?: string;
+  commands?: string[];
+}) {
+  upsertNode(node);
+}
+
+export function recordRemoteNodeBins(nodeId: string, bins: string[]) {
+  upsertNode({ nodeId, bins });
+}
+
+function listWorkspaceDirs(cfg: ClawdbotConfig): string[] {
+  const dirs = new Set<string>();
+  const list = cfg.agents?.list;
+  if (Array.isArray(list)) {
+    for (const entry of list) {
+      if (entry && typeof entry === "object" && typeof entry.id === "string") {
+        dirs.add(resolveAgentWorkspaceDir(cfg, entry.id));
+      }
+    }
+  }
+  dirs.add(resolveAgentWorkspaceDir(cfg, resolveDefaultAgentId(cfg)));
+  return [...dirs];
+}
+
+function collectRequiredBins(entries: SkillEntry[], targetPlatform: string): string[] {
+  const bins = new Set<string>();
+  for (const entry of entries) {
+    const os = entry.clawdbot?.os ?? [];
+    if (os.length > 0 && !os.includes(targetPlatform)) continue;
+    const required = entry.clawdbot?.requires?.bins ?? [];
+    const anyBins = entry.clawdbot?.requires?.anyBins ?? [];
+    for (const bin of required) {
+      if (bin.trim()) bins.add(bin.trim());
+    }
+    for (const bin of anyBins) {
+      if (bin.trim()) bins.add(bin.trim());
+    }
+  }
+  return [...bins];
+}
+
+function buildBinProbeScript(bins: string[]): string {
+  const escaped = bins.map((bin) => `'${bin.replace(/'/g, `'\\''`)}'`).join(" ");
+  return `for b in ${escaped}; do if command -v "$b" >/dev/null 2>&1; then echo "$b"; fi; done`;
+}
+
+export async function refreshRemoteNodeBins(params: {
+  nodeId: string;
+  platform?: string;
+  deviceFamily?: string;
+  commands?: string[];
+  cfg: ClawdbotConfig;
+  timeoutMs?: number;
+}) {
+  if (!remoteBridge) return;
+  if (!isMacPlatform(params.platform, params.deviceFamily)) return;
+  if (!supportsSystemRun(params.commands)) return;
+
+  const workspaceDirs = listWorkspaceDirs(params.cfg);
+  const requiredBins = new Set<string>();
+  for (const workspaceDir of workspaceDirs) {
+    const entries = loadWorkspaceSkillEntries(workspaceDir, { config: params.cfg });
+    for (const bin of collectRequiredBins(entries, "darwin")) {
+      requiredBins.add(bin);
+    }
+  }
+  if (requiredBins.size === 0) return;
+
+  const script = buildBinProbeScript([...requiredBins]);
+  const payload = {
+    command: ["/bin/sh", "-lc", script],
+  };
+  try {
+    const res = await remoteBridge.invoke({
+      nodeId: params.nodeId,
+      command: "system.run",
+      paramsJSON: JSON.stringify(payload),
+      timeoutMs: params.timeoutMs ?? 15_000,
+    });
+    if (!res.ok) {
+      log.warn(`remote bin probe failed (${params.nodeId}): ${res.error?.message ?? "unknown"}`);
+      return;
+    }
+    const raw = typeof res.payloadJSON === "string" ? res.payloadJSON : "";
+    const parsed =
+      raw && raw.trim().length > 0
+        ? (JSON.parse(raw) as { stdout?: string })
+        : ({ stdout: "" } as { stdout?: string });
+    const stdout = typeof parsed.stdout === "string" ? parsed.stdout : "";
+    const bins = stdout
+      .split(/\r?\n/)
+      .map((line) => line.trim())
+      .filter(Boolean);
+    recordRemoteNodeBins(params.nodeId, bins);
+    await updatePairedNodeMetadata(params.nodeId, { bins });
+    bumpSkillsSnapshotVersion({ reason: "remote-node" });
+  } catch (err) {
+    log.warn(`remote bin probe error (${params.nodeId}): ${String(err)}`);
+  }
+}
+
+export function getRemoteSkillEligibility(): SkillEligibilityContext["remote"] | undefined {
+  const macNodes = [...remoteNodes.values()].filter(
+    (node) => isMacPlatform(node.platform, node.deviceFamily) && supportsSystemRun(node.commands),
+  );
+  if (macNodes.length === 0) return undefined;
+  const bins = new Set<string>();
+  for (const node of macNodes) {
+    for (const bin of node.bins) bins.add(bin);
+  }
+  const labels = macNodes
+    .map((node) => node.displayName ?? node.nodeId)
+    .filter(Boolean);
+  const note =
+    labels.length > 0
+      ? `Remote macOS node available (${labels.join(", ")}). Run macOS-only skills via nodes.run on that node.`
+      : "Remote macOS node available. Run macOS-only skills via nodes.run on that node.";
+  return {
+    platforms: ["darwin"],
+    hasBin: (bin) => bins.has(bin),
+    hasAnyBin: (required) => required.some((bin) => bins.has(bin)),
+    note,
+  };
+}
+
+export async function refreshRemoteBinsForConnectedNodes(cfg: ClawdbotConfig) {
+  if (!remoteBridge) return;
+  const connected = remoteBridge.listConnected();
+  for (const node of connected) {
+    await refreshRemoteNodeBins({
+      nodeId: node.nodeId,
+      platform: node.platform,
+      deviceFamily: node.deviceFamily,
+      commands: node.commands,
+      cfg,
+    });
+  }
+}