Skill Cortex

Triggers when installed Skills cannot complete the current task. If you can handle it yourself, just do it — do not trigger this flow.

Cortex data file: ~/.openclaw/skill-cortex/cortex.json (schema in docs/DESIGN.md).

Phase 1: Perception

1. Read cortex.json (if missing or corrupt, skip to step 3).
2. Semantically match the user's task description against sensory.patterns signals (no exact match required — use your own judgment on intent alignment). On hit, look up the corresponding region in motor, sort candidates by effective weight (effective_weight = weight * max(0.3, 1 - days_since_last_used / 180)), filter out blacklisted and effective_weight < 0.3 entries, then proceed to Phase 2.
3. On miss, search ClawHub: clawhub search "<3-5 English keywords>". Read summaries only, pick up to 3 candidates. If fewer than 2 relevant results, supplement with a GitHub search (mark as unreviewed source).

Phase 2: Validation & Authorization

Reflex Fast Path