TOPIC / RESOURCE

OpenClaw + Claude Code Workflow

Claude Code for development, OpenClaw for runtime. Skill project structure, development sequence, publish checklist, and common pitfalls.

Best for

  • 已经知道 OpenClaw 和 Claude Code 不该拿来做一模一样的事
  • 想把技能开发、调试、验证和发布串成稳定工作流
  • 希望有一页把分工、项目结构和验证顺序讲清楚

Division of labor

OpenClaw is the runtime system; Claude Code is the development assistant. One runs workflows and channels; the other helps you build them.

When to use Claude Code

  • Writing skill code
  • Debugging
  • Refactoring scripts
  • Adding tests
  • Writing validation scripts
  • Organizing project structure

These are development tasks, not long-running services.

When to use OpenClaw

  • Day-to-day execution
  • Long-running task chains
  • Channel I/O (e.g. Feishu)
  • Cron jobs
  • Multi-agent setups
  • Workspace persistence

Recommended collaboration order

  1. Define the task in OpenClaw
  2. Build the skill / script / config with Claude Code
  3. Integrate into OpenClaw and validate
  4. Lock it down with logs, tests, and publish flow

Minimal skill project structure

skill-project/
├── SKILL.md
├── index.js
├── tools/
├── tests/
└── docs/

This keeps entry points, docs, and tests in predictable places and makes maintenance easier.

Development sequence

  1. Build minimal working structure
  2. Get parameters and error handling right
  3. Add normal, edge, and error-path tests
  4. Run openclaw skill validate
  5. Consider openclaw skill publish last

Publish checklist

npm test
openclaw skill validate
openclaw skill publish

These steps catch common issues before production:

  • Poor parameter validation
  • Cryptic error messages
  • Hardcoded API keys
  • Mismatch between entry files and docs

Common pitfalls

  1. Treating Claude Code as runtime – It is for dev, not as a replacement for OpenClaw’s always-on, channel-connected setup.
  2. Skipping tests – The first failures are often bad inputs or edge cases. Ship a “looks like it works” skill and those will surface in prod.
  3. Hardcoding API keys – Fixing this after it lands in a repo is costly.
  4. No readable error messages – You may understand them; teammates and users may not.

Getting started

  1. Read OpenClaw vs Claude Code
  2. Decide whether to build your own skill
  3. If yes, follow the project structure and validation sequence on this page

External links

FAQ

Topic FAQ

The comparison page covers positioning. This page covers how to actually work together—skill development, testing, validation, and publishing.

It is less relevant. Best for users building skills, automation tools, or long-term dev work.