🤖 Ghostwritten by GPT 5.4 · Fact-checked & edited by Claude Opus 4.6 · Curated by Tom Hundley
OpenClaw v2026.3.24 makes skill management much easier: you can now search, install, and update skills through ClawHub directly, use the Claude marketplace registry, and connect new provider plugins—without the old npm-style scavenger hunt. That means less copying package names from web pages, less guessing which add-on is current, and a much cleaner path to getting useful skills into your setup.
If you tried older OpenClaw releases, you probably remember the awkward part: find a package somewhere, verify it, install it the "right" way, and hope the naming matched what the docs said. The new ClawHub native skill search flow fixes that by bringing discovery and installation much closer to how a normal app store works.
This guide walks through what changed, how OpenClaw CLI skill management now works, how bundle support helps if you use Claude, Cursor, or Codex, and how to stay safe while installing anything from a registry. I'll also show simple examples for provider plugins OpenClaw users are asking about, including OpenRouter, GitHub Copilot, and Anthropic Vertex.
TL;DR: OpenClaw v2026.3.24 moves from a package-manager mindset to a built-in registry mindset—faster, clearer, and easier for non-developers.
The big shift is that skill discovery is now built into the product flow. Instead of treating skills like random packages you had to locate and install from an outside system, OpenClaw now leans on ClawHub native skill search and the Claude marketplace registry.
Think of the old model like being told, "Your kitchen appliance can do more, but first go wander through a warehouse and find the right unlabeled box." The new model feels more like opening a catalog inside the appliance itself.
Here's the practical difference:
| Task | Older npm-style approach | New v2026.3.24 approach |
|---|---|---|
| Find a skill | Search docs, web pages, or package listings | Search directly in ClawHub |
| Install a skill | Copy exact package name and install carefully | Use native install flow from registry results |
| Update a skill | Manually check versions | Use update flow tied to registry |
| Discover compatibility | Often unclear until after install | Better mapping through bundles and provider plugins |
| Connect Claude marketplace items | Indirect or manual | Registry-aware workflow |
That change matters because complexity is one of the main reasons people give up on tooling. The 2024 Stack Overflow Developer Survey found that roughly 76% of developers use or plan to use AI tools, and ease of setup heavily influences adoption. GitHub's research around Copilot has similarly emphasized that lowering friction is what turns experimentation into daily use. Even if you are not a developer, the lesson applies: if setup is annoying, you stop using the tool.
For deeper registry background, the earlier OpenClaw v2026.3.22: ClawHub Plugin Registry Guide explains where this direction started. This article focuses on the day-to-day workflow shift.
TL;DR: The new ClawHub native skill search flow lets you look up skills inside OpenClaw, then install with less guesswork and fewer naming mistakes.
The simplest way to understand skill installation now: search first, inspect second, install third.
Open the OpenClaw command line tool and use the skill search command. The new flow centers on native search rather than outside package lookup.
A typical pattern:
openclaw skills search calendar
openclaw skills search slack
openclaw skills search githubWhat to look for in the results:
If you see several similar results, do not install the first one blindly. Read the summary like you would read app store reviews before downloading a finance app.
Once you find a skill that looks useful, inspect it.
openclaw skills info skill-nameThis is where you slow down. You want answers to basic questions:
For a security-focused checklist, pair this article with OpenClaw v2026.3.24: How to Safely Install and Vet ClawHub Plugins and the earlier CVE-2026-25253: Lock Down Your OpenClaw API Tokens Now. Those are worth reading before you install anything that can touch your accounts.
When you are satisfied, install it.
openclaw skills install skill-nameAfter installation, OpenClaw may prompt you to connect a provider, approve permissions, or map the skill into your preferred tool. Follow the prompts carefully. If something asks for broad access and you do not understand why, stop and investigate.
The new CLI skill management flow also makes updating cleaner.
openclaw skills list
openclaw skills update skill-name
openclaw skills update --allA simple rule: installed skills are little helpers with real access. Treat updates like app updates on your phone—helpful, yes; automatic trust, no.
TL;DR: OpenClaw bundle support groups related mappings together so one install can fit across different AI tools without manual rewiring.
This is one of the nicest quality-of-life upgrades in v2026.3.24. Bundles translate a skill into the shape expected by different assistants and coding tools.
Use this mental model: a wall charger bundle can include plugs for the US, UK, and EU. Same charger, different outlet shapes. In OpenClaw, the "charger" is the skill, and the "plug shapes" are tool-specific mappings for Claude, Cursor, or Codex.
One skill can be packaged with ready-to-use compatibility hints or mappings for:
This reduces the "I installed it, now what?" problem.
With bundle support, you are less likely to do manual cleanup after installing a skill. The bundle carries the right mapping so the tool you already use understands how to present or trigger that skill.
For people moving between AI tools, that matters a lot. Anthropic's public documentation and product updates show that Claude-related workflows increasingly depend on clear tool and context handoffs. OpenAI's Codex tooling direction has also pushed users toward more structured integrations rather than one-off hacks. Bundles fit that broader trend.
A common flow:
openclaw skills search writing
openclaw skills info writing-assistant
openclaw skills install writing-assistant
openclaw bundles list
openclaw bundles apply writing-assistant --target cursorThe exact command names may vary as the release evolves, but the core idea is stable: install once, then apply the matching bundle target for the tool you use.
For a bundle-first walkthrough, the OpenClaw v2026.3.23 Plugin Bundle Guide goes deeper. Here, the key point is that bundle support removes manual translation work for everyday users.
TL;DR: Provider plugins make model access modular—connect the service you already pay for instead of being forced down one path.
Provider plugins are connection adapters. They tell OpenClaw how to talk to an outside AI service.
In v2026.3.24, provider plugins matter because they make setup more flexible. Instead of everything being jammed into one giant default path, model access can be added in smaller pieces.
If you use OpenRouter, the basic idea is simple: install the provider plugin, then connect your OpenRouter account details where OpenClaw asks for them.
Typical flow:
openclaw providers search openrouter
openclaw providers install openrouter
openclaw providers configure openrouterWhen the tool asks for credentials, do not paste them into random notes or screenshots. Enter them only in the official setup prompt or secure settings screen.
The GitHub Copilot path is similar.
openclaw providers search copilot
openclaw providers install github-copilot
openclaw providers configure github-copilotYou may be asked to sign in through a browser window. That is normal for many account connections. Read each approval screen carefully so you know what you are granting.
The Anthropic Vertex option is especially useful for teams already standardizing around Google Cloud. It gives you a path to Claude access through Google Vertex AI instead of a direct standalone setup.
A simplified flow:
openclaw providers search anthropic-vertex
openclaw providers install anthropic-vertex
openclaw providers configure anthropic-vertexDuring setup, OpenClaw may ask for project details, region choices, or account authorization steps tied to Google Cloud. If those words are unfamiliar, think of them as "which workspace should this run in?" and "which account is allowed to pay for it?"
The key point: provider plugins separate model access from skill logic. That is good design because it means you can change where the intelligence comes from without rebuilding every skill.
TL;DR: The safest OpenClaw setup is not the one with the most skills—it is the one where every installed skill has a clear job, a trusted source, and limited access.
OpenClaw's new registry flow is more convenient, but convenience is not the same as safety. A cleaner store still needs smart shopping.
Before any skill installation, ask:
That last one matters most. Try new skills in a safe sandbox before letting them touch real work.
Paste this into your AI tool if you are unsure whether a skill is safe to install:
I am considering installing an OpenClaw skill. Help me review it like a cautious beginner.
Please analyze:
1. What this skill appears to do in plain English
2. What permissions or access it might need
3. What warning signs I should look for before installing
4. What questions I should ask if the source is unclear
5. A simple go/no-go recommendation for a non-technical userIf a skill asks for broad access but solves a tiny problem, walk away. A note-formatting helper should not need your messages, customer records, and account connections.
Keep your OpenClaw instance updated. Security fixes matter more than shiny features. If you have not reviewed the known token and exposure issues recently, revisit the security guides before expanding your setup.
Tomorrow I'll dig into a practical "best first five skills" setup for non-developers: which skills save time immediately, which ones are overrated, and which ones are not worth the risk. Come back tomorrow, and share this with someone who uses OpenClaw.
The old approach required you to find package names outside OpenClaw and install them by exact name. The new ClawHub native skill search flow brings discovery, inspection, installation, and updates into one place. For non-developers, that mostly means less hunting and fewer mistakes. It also means you can see version history, publisher info, and compatibility notes before committing to an install.
No. You do need to copy and paste a few commands, but the new flow is much closer to searching and installing apps than building software. If you can follow step-by-step prompts carefully, you can use it. The commands are short, readable, and the tool provides feedback at each step.
It helps one skill fit multiple AI tools more smoothly. Instead of manually reworking the skill for Claude, Cursor, or Codex, the bundle carries mappings that make the skill usable across those environments. This is especially valuable if you switch between tools or collaborate with teammates who use different setups.
Use the Anthropic Vertex provider when your organization already uses Google Vertex AI or wants Claude access managed through that environment. It can make account management and governance cleaner for teams already working inside Google Cloud, and it lets you consolidate billing and access controls in one place.
No. A registry improves discovery and update flow, but you still need to vet what you install. Treat every skill like an app asking to enter your digital house: check who made it, what rooms it wants access to, and whether it really needs that access. Registry presence does not equal a security audit.
OpenClaw v2026.3.24 is a meaningful quality-of-life release because it turns skill management into something regular users can actually live with. The move to ClawHub native search, cleaner registry flows, bundle mappings, and modular providers makes OpenClaw feel less like a toolbox dumped on the floor and more like a workspace with drawers.
That is the right direction. Better discovery and easier installs should help more people get useful skills running, while clearer provider plugins give you room to choose how you connect intelligence behind the scenes. Just remember the rule that never changes: install slowly, read the prompts, and trust only what you understand.
Come back tomorrow, and share this with someone who uses OpenClaw.
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