OpenClaw 2026.1.5 — What Shipped (Operator Guide)

This post covers what shipped in v2026.1.5 and what it means for OpenClaw VPS operators.

What shipped

Highlights

• Models: add image-specific model config (agent.imageModel + fallbacks) and scan support.
• Agent tools: new image tool routed to the image model (when configured).
• Config: default model shorthands (opus, sonnet, gpt, gpt-mini, gemini, gemini-flash).
• Docs: document built-in model shorthands + precedence (user config wins).

Fixes

• Control UI: render Markdown in tool result cards.
• Control UI: prevent overlapping action buttons in Discord guild rules on narrow layouts.
• Android: tapping the foreground service notification brings the app to the front. (#179) — thanks @Syhids
• Cron tool uses id for update/remove/run/runs (aligns with gateway params). (#180) — thanks @adamgall
• Control UI: chat view uses page scroll with sticky header/sidebar and fixed composer (no inner scroll frame).
• macOS: treat location permission as always-only to avoid iOS-only enums. (#165) — thanks @Nachx639
• macOS: make generated gateway protocol models Sendable for Swift 6 strict concurrency. (#195) — thanks @andranik-sahakyan
• macOS: bundle QR code renderer modules so DMG gateway boot doesn't crash on missing qrcode-terminal vendor files.
• WhatsApp: suppress typing indicator during heartbeat background tasks. (#190) — thanks @mcinteerj
• WhatsApp: mark offline history sync messages as read without auto-reply. (#193) — thanks @mcinteerj
• Discord: avoid duplicate replies when a provider emits late streaming text_end events (OpenAI/GPT).
• CLI: use tailnet IP for local gateway calls when bind is tailnet/auto (fixes #176).
• Env: load global $CLAWDBOTSTATEDIR/.env (~/.clawdbot/.env) as a fallback after CWD .env.
• Env: optional login-shell env fallback (opt-in; imports expected keys without overriding existing env).
• Agent tools: OpenAI-compatible tool JSON Schemas (fix browser, normalize union schemas).
• Onboarding: when running from source, auto-build missing Control UI assets (pnpm ui:build).
• Discord/Slack: route reaction + system notifications to the correct session (no main-session bleed).
• Agent tools: honor agent.tools allow/deny policy even when sandbox is off.
• Discord: avoid duplicate replies when OpenAI emits repeated message_end events.
• Commands: unify /status (inline) and command auth across providers; group bypass for authorized control commands; remove Discord /clawd slash handler.
• Control UI: render Markdown in chat messages (sanitized).

What matters for hosted operators

• Validate channel delivery behavior (web chat + Telegram).
• Verify model/provider settings and fallback behavior.
• Run a smoke test after deploy: message flow, tool call, and response quality.

Post-upgrade checklist

1. Send/receive test messages in active channels.
2. Confirm bot settings and auth paths still behave as expected.
3. Check billing/usage visibility and dashboard status.
4. Log regressions immediately and keep rollback notes.

Related reading

• OpenClaw Release Notes Hub (2026)
• Best OpenClaw Hosting in 2026
• Pricing · Why OpenClaw VPS · FAQ

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Source

• https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/releases/tag/v2026.1.5