openclaw - 💡(How to fix) Fix [Bug]: directory peers list --channel openclaw-weixin prompts to install an already-installed plugin on 2026.4.29 [2 comments, 3 participants]

Bug type

Behavior bug (incorrect output/state without crash)

Beta release blocker

No

Summary

On 2026.4.29, openclaw directory peers list --channel openclaw-weixin interactively prompts to install the openclaw-weixin plugin even though the plugin is installed, enabled, and actively running (verified via plugins list and channels status). Choosing the default "Download from npm" option would overwrite the existing install at ~/.openclaw/extensions/openclaw-weixin/.

Steps to reproduce

1. Install @tencent-weixin/[email protected] on OpenClaw 2026.4.29 (install record present at ~/.openclaw/plugins/installs.json#installRecords.openclaw-weixin with installPath, version, integrity).
2. Confirm openclaw plugins list shows the row @tencent-weixin/openclaw-weixin | openclaw-weixin | openclaw | enabled | global:openclaw-weixin/index.ts | 2.3.1.
3. Confirm openclaw channels status shows openclaw-weixin <account>: enabled, configured, running.
4. Run openclaw directory peers list --channel openclaw-weixin.

Expected behavior

Either query the channel's contact directory using the already-loaded plugin, or fail with a directory-empty/not-yet-supported message. The behavior should at minimum be consistent with plugins list and channels status, both of which agree the plugin is installed.

Actual behavior

Interactive prompt is shown:

◆  Install openclaw-weixin plugin?
│  ● Download from npm (@tencent-weixin/openclaw-weixin)
│  ○ Use local plugin path
│  ○ Skip for now
└

The directory command path's install-detection disagrees with the plugins command path's install-detection on the same install.

OpenClaw version

2026.4.29 (a448042)

Operating system

Ubuntu 24.04 (Linux 6.8.0)

Install method

npm global

Model

openai-codex/gpt-5.5 (not relevant to this defect)

Provider / routing chain

openclaw -> openai-codex (not relevant to this defect)

Additional provider/model setup details

NOT_ENOUGH_INFO

Logs, screenshots, and evidence

Install record (sanitized):

{
  "installRecords": {
    "openclaw-weixin": {
      "source": "npm",
      "spec": "@tencent-weixin/openclaw-weixin",
      "installPath": "~/.openclaw/extensions/openclaw-weixin",
      "version": "2.3.1",
      "resolvedSpec": "@tencent-weixin/[email protected]",
      "shasum": "a8d6e34b832954d485d7f9a64ede5892735b7891"
    }
  }
}

Impact and severity

Minor for runtime (channel keeps working); meaningful as a footgun — picking the default option in the prompt would clobber the local plugin install (including any local manifest patches users have applied while waiting for upstream fixes).

Additional information

NOT_ENOUGH_INFO on whether earlier 2026.4.x releases exhibit the same behavior (was not exercised on 2026.4.26 prior to upgrade).