My two favorite Openclaw hacks

I use openclaw a lot, and I spent a good amount of time tweaking it to get it how I want it. A good part of this is creating skills that allow it to do things I need. While doing this, I have found many times it wasn't using the skills I want it to use. This happens a lot when setting up new skills and trying to get the description and trigger phrases ironed out so it uses the skill naturally.

I found myself asking my agents "What skills did you use?" all the time and it was getting annoying. With this line added to your TOOLS.md, you will never have to do this again.

• Always Show Skills Used: When using any skill, include Skills Used: at the end of your response listing which skill(s) were used.

Now I never have to ask, and I also can see when it finds creative usages to the skills I make available.

Another problem I had that was solved in a similar way, is when files are edited and I wasn't aware of it.

• Always Show Files Modified: When editing or creating files, always show files modified at the end. Files Files Modified:.

This simple addition to your TOOLS.md and you never have to guess!

I am impressed at how well my agents do this without being reminded. This is really handy when troubleshooting skills execution.

This is also very handy in harnesses and is not limited to openclaw.