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Migrate from OpenClaw

Migrate from OpenClaw

Beginner16 minutes3 questions2026-08-09
The idea in one minute

Start with meaning, then move to detail.

This lesson explains Migrate from OpenClaw as part of getting started with Hermes correctly. You will learn what it does, when it matters, and the smallest safe test that proves it works.

If you are new

If you are new, do not memorize names. Focus on three questions: what problem does this solve, what access does it need, and how can you verify the result?

For hands-on use

For practice, inspect the first example, identify its effects, run it on test data, and compare the result with the source claim.

For specialists

For advanced readers, inspect Quick start, Options, What gets migrated, then verify failure modes and version compatibility.

What do you need first?

No prior experience is required; follow the steps on a safe test setup first.

What will you know?

A clear outcome before you read.

  • Understand Migrate from OpenClaw without assumed prior knowledge.
  • Separate the source description from what still needs testing in your environment.
  • Read the first command and identify its inputs and outputs before copying it.
Lesson terms

Short definitions before the details.

MCP
A standard way to expose external tools, resources, and services to an agent.
Provider
The service that runs or provides access and authentication to a model.
Session & memory
A session holds conversation context, while memory keeps selected facts that should persist.
Skill
An instruction bundle that teaches Hermes a repeatable workflow without necessarily adding an external service.
Official page description

Complete guide to migrating your OpenClaw / Clawdbot setup to Hermes Agent — what gets migrated, how config maps, and what to check after.

Topic map

What does the source say, and in what order?

  1. 01
    Quick start

    Start here to understand the core idea or structure.

  2. 02
    Options

    Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.

  3. 03
    What gets migrated

    Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.

  4. 04
    Persona, memory, and instructions

    Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.

  5. 05
    Skills (4 sources)

    Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.

  6. 06
    Model and provider configuration

    Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.

  7. 07
    Agent behavior

    Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.

  8. 08
    Session reset policies

    Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.

  9. 09
    MCP servers

    Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.

  10. 10
    TTS (text-to-speech)

    Finish here to verify the result and special cases.

Examples from the official page

Copy only after you understand the effect.

# Preview then migrate (always shows a preview first, then asks to confirm) hermes claw migrate # Preview only, no changes hermes claw migrate --dry-run # Full migration including API keys, skip confirmation hermes claw migrate --preset full --migrate-secrets --yes
// Plain string "channels": { "telegram": { "botToken": "123456:ABC-DEF..." } } // Environment template "channels": { "telegram": { "botToken": "${TELEGRAM_BOT_TOKEN}" } } // SecretRef object "channels": { "telegram": { "botToken": { "source": "env", "id": "TELEGRAM_BOT_TOKEN" } } }
Try it now

Read the first command and identify its inputs and outputs before copying it.

Match every command to your installed Hermes version, review the files and accounts it can reach, and use non-sensitive data for the first test. If this explanation differs from the source, the official source wins.

Knowledge check

Three decisions before completion.

1. What is the source of truth when “Migrate from OpenClaw” changes?
2. What is the best way to apply this lesson?
3. What should happen before a step can modify files or an external account?