123 lines
6.1 KiB
Markdown
123 lines
6.1 KiB
Markdown
---
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summary: "Streaming + chunking behavior (block replies, draft streaming, limits)"
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read_when:
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- Explaining how streaming or chunking works on channels
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- Changing block streaming or channel chunking behavior
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- Debugging duplicate/early block replies or draft streaming
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---
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# Streaming + chunking
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Clawdbot has two separate “streaming” layers:
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- **Block streaming (channels):** emit completed **blocks** as the assistant writes. These are normal channel messages (not token deltas).
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- **Token-ish streaming (Telegram only):** update a **draft bubble** with partial text while generating; final message is sent at the end.
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There is **no real token streaming** to external channel messages today. Telegram draft streaming is the only partial-stream surface.
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## Block streaming (channel messages)
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Block streaming sends assistant output in coarse chunks as it becomes available.
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```
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Model output
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└─ text_delta/events
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├─ (blockStreamingBreak=text_end)
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│ └─ chunker emits blocks as buffer grows
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└─ (blockStreamingBreak=message_end)
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└─ chunker flushes at message_end
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└─ channel send (block replies)
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```
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Legend:
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- `text_delta/events`: model stream events (may be sparse for non-streaming models).
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- `chunker`: `EmbeddedBlockChunker` applying min/max bounds + break preference.
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- `channel send`: actual outbound messages (block replies).
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**Controls:**
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- `agents.defaults.blockStreamingDefault`: `"on"`/`"off"` (default off).
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- Channel overrides: `*.blockStreaming` (and per-account variants) to force `"on"`/`"off"` per channel.
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- `agents.defaults.blockStreamingBreak`: `"text_end"` or `"message_end"`.
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- `agents.defaults.blockStreamingChunk`: `{ minChars, maxChars, breakPreference? }`.
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- `agents.defaults.blockStreamingCoalesce`: `{ minChars?, maxChars?, idleMs? }` (merge streamed blocks before send).
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- Channel hard cap: `*.textChunkLimit` (e.g., `channels.whatsapp.textChunkLimit`).
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- Discord soft cap: `channels.discord.maxLinesPerMessage` (default 17) splits tall replies to avoid UI clipping.
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**Boundary semantics:**
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- `text_end`: stream blocks as soon as chunker emits; flush on each `text_end`.
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- `message_end`: wait until assistant message finishes, then flush buffered output.
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`message_end` still uses the chunker if the buffered text exceeds `maxChars`, so it can emit multiple chunks at the end.
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## Chunking algorithm (low/high bounds)
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Block chunking is implemented by `EmbeddedBlockChunker`:
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- **Low bound:** don’t emit until buffer >= `minChars` (unless forced).
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- **High bound:** prefer splits before `maxChars`; if forced, split at `maxChars`.
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- **Break preference:** `paragraph` → `newline` → `sentence` → `whitespace` → hard break.
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- **Code fences:** never split inside fences; when forced at `maxChars`, close + reopen the fence to keep Markdown valid.
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`maxChars` is clamped to the channel `textChunkLimit`, so you can’t exceed per-channel caps.
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## Coalescing (merge streamed blocks)
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When block streaming is enabled, Clawdbot can **merge consecutive block chunks**
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before sending them out. This reduces “single-line spam” while still providing
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progressive output.
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- Coalescing waits for **idle gaps** (`idleMs`) before flushing.
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- Buffers are capped by `maxChars` and will flush if they exceed it.
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- `minChars` prevents tiny fragments from sending until enough text accumulates
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(final flush always sends remaining text).
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- Joiner is derived from `blockStreamingChunk.breakPreference`
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(`paragraph` → `\n\n`, `newline` → `\n`, `sentence` → space).
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- Channel overrides are available via `*.blockStreamingCoalesce` (including per-account configs).
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- Default coalesce `minChars` is bumped to 1500 for Signal/Slack/Discord unless overridden.
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## Human-like pacing between blocks
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When block streaming is enabled, you can add a **randomized pause** between
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block replies (after the first block). This makes multi-bubble responses feel
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more natural.
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- Config: `agents.defaults.humanDelay` (override per agent via `agents.list[].humanDelay`).
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- Modes: `off` (default), `natural` (800–2500ms), `custom` (`minMs`/`maxMs`).
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- Applies only to **block replies**, not final replies or tool summaries.
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## “Stream chunks or everything”
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This maps to:
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- **Stream chunks:** `blockStreamingDefault: "on"` + `blockStreamingBreak: "text_end"` (emit as you go). Non-Telegram channels also need `*.blockStreaming: true`.
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- **Stream everything at end:** `blockStreamingBreak: "message_end"` (flush once, possibly multiple chunks if very long).
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- **No block streaming:** `blockStreamingDefault: "off"` (only final reply).
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**Channel note:** For non-Telegram channels, block streaming is **off unless**
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`*.blockStreaming` is explicitly set to `true`. Telegram can stream drafts
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(`channels.telegram.streamMode`) without block replies.
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Config location reminder: the `blockStreaming*` defaults live under
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`agents.defaults`, not the root config.
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## Telegram draft streaming (token-ish)
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Telegram is the only channel with draft streaming:
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- Uses Bot API `sendMessageDraft` in **private chats with topics**.
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- `channels.telegram.streamMode: "partial" | "block" | "off"`.
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- `partial`: draft updates with the latest stream text.
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- `block`: draft updates in chunked blocks (same chunker rules).
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- `off`: no draft streaming.
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- Draft chunk config (only for `streamMode: "block"`): `channels.telegram.draftChunk` (defaults: `minChars: 200`, `maxChars: 800`).
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- Draft streaming is separate from block streaming; block replies are off by default and only enabled by `*.blockStreaming: true` on non-Telegram channels.
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- Final reply is still a normal message.
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- `/reasoning stream` writes reasoning into the draft bubble (Telegram only).
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When draft streaming is active, Clawdbot disables block streaming for that reply to avoid double-streaming.
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```
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Telegram (private + topics)
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└─ sendMessageDraft (draft bubble)
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├─ streamMode=partial → update latest text
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└─ streamMode=block → chunker updates draft
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└─ final reply → normal message
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```
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Legend:
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- `sendMessageDraft`: Telegram draft bubble (not a real message).
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- `final reply`: normal Telegram message send.
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