openclaw - 💡(How to fix) Fix [Bug]: tools array empty at Anthropic provider despite 17 tools computed in attempt.ts (Telegram channel) [1 comments, 2 participants]

Bug type

Regression (worked before, now fails)

Beta release blocker

No

Summary

When using OpenClaw via Telegram channel, the Anthropic API receives tools:[] even though attempt.ts confirms tools post-normalize length=17. The agent generates tool_use as plain text instead of actual API tool_use blocks.

Steps to reproduce

1. Configure OpenClaw 2026.4.22 on macOS (Apple Silicon M2) with Telegram channel
2. Set tools.profile: "coding", tools.exec: {security: "full", ask: "off"}, tools.elevated.allowFrom.telegram: ["<user_id>"]
3. Send any DM to the bot from Telegram
4. Ask the agent to execute a bash command

Expected behavior

1. Configure OpenClaw 2026.4.22 on macOS (Apple Silicon M2) with Telegram channel
2. Set tools.profile: "coding", tools.exec: {security: "full", ask: "off"}, tools.elevated.allowFrom.telegram: ["<user_id>"]
3. Send any DM to the bot from Telegram
4. Ask the agent to execute a bash command

Actual behavior

context.tools arrives as array(len=0) at the Anthropic provider, even though attempt.ts confirms tools post-normalize length=17 (exec, read, write, edit, web_search...). The agent generates tool_use as plain text instead of actual API tool_use blocks because tools:[] is sent to Anthropic API.

Debug evidence: [ATT_DEBUG] toolsEnabled=true toolsRaw.length=17 [ATT_DEBUG] tools post-normalize length=17 [MAX_DEBUG_PIAI] context.tools=array(len=0,names=)

Tried: elevated.allowFrom, exec.security=full, ask=off, yolo preset, elevated.enabled=false, agents.list removed, model change opus→sonnet, session cache cleared. Nothing works.

Related: #23748, #26416, #18177

OpenClaw version

2026.4.22

Operating system

macOS 15 (Apple Silicon M2 Pro)

Install method

pnpm dev

Model

anthropic/claude-opus-4-7 (also tested with anthropic/claude-sonnet-4-6)

Provider / routing chain

openclaw -> anthropic (direct API key)

Additional provider/model setup details

Direct Anthropic API key configured. No proxy or gateway. tools.profile: "coding", tools.exec: {security: "full", ask: "off"}, tools.elevated.allowFrom.telegram: ["1094268485"]

Logs, screenshots, and evidence

Debug patches added to attempt.ts and pi-ai/anthropic.js confirmed:

[ATT_DEBUG] toolsEnabled=true toolsRaw.length=17 names=read,edit,write,exec,process...
[ATT_DEBUG] tools post-normalize length=17
[MAX_DEBUG_PIAI] context.tools=array(len=0,names=)

Tools are correctly built in attempt.ts but arrive empty at the Anthropic provider.

Impact and severity

Affected: All users using Telegram channel with tools/exec enabled Severity: High (blocks all tool execution from Telegram) Frequency: Always (100% reproducible) Consequence: Agent cannot execute any bash commands, read/write files, or use any tools via Telegram

Additional information

Related issues: #23748, #26416, #18177 Workarounds tried: elevated.allowFrom, exec.security=full, yolo preset, elevated.enabled=false, agents.list removed, model change opus→sonnet, session cache cleared. None work. The bug is in the runner between attempt.ts:666 and the transport layer.