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Upgrades & Your Data

Your ClawBox runs OpenClaw, which is actively developed and regularly improved. When updates are available, you can upgrade your container to get new features, bug fixes, and security patches. Your data is safe throughout the process.

What gets upgraded

An upgrade replaces the OpenClaw software inside your container with the latest version. This includes the web interface, the AI gateway, tool execution capabilities, and channel plugins (WhatsApp, Telegram).

The upgrade does not touch your personal data. Your configuration, API keys, conversation history, workspace files, and channel settings are all stored separately from the application and are preserved automatically.

What is preserved

Your ClawBox stores your data in dedicated volumes that are independent of the application container. During an upgrade, these volumes are left untouched:

• Configuration volume — your OpenClaw settings, API key configuration, authentication profiles, and channel setup
• Workspace volume — files you have created, scripts, downloads, and any other data generated during conversations

As an extra safety measure, a full backup of your configuration volume is taken before every upgrade. If anything were to go wrong, the system can restore your previous configuration.

How to upgrade

When a new version of OpenClaw is available, you will see a notification on your home page and in your account settings.

To upgrade:

1. Go to Settings
2. Open the ClawBox Versions section
3. If an update is available, you will see an Upgrade Now button next to your container
4. Click the button and confirm
5. A progress overlay will appear while the upgrade runs

The upgrade typically takes one to two minutes. Your ClawBox will be briefly unavailable during this time and will restart automatically once complete.

What happens during an upgrade

Behind the scenes, the system:

1. Backs up your entire configuration volume
2. Pulls the latest OpenClaw container image
3. Rebuilds your personal container with the new image
4. Restarts the container with your existing configuration and workspace volumes attached
5. Verifies the new version is running correctly

If the new version fails to start, the system automatically rolls back to the previous version so you are never left with a broken ClawBox.

Version tracking

Your current OpenClaw version is displayed in the ClawBox Versions section of your account settings. The system periodically checks for new releases, so the latest available version is always shown for comparison.

You are not forced to upgrade. Your ClawBox will continue to work on its current version for as long as you like. However, we recommend upgrading regularly to benefit from security fixes and new capabilities.

Common questions

Will I lose my conversations?
No. Conversation history is stored in your configuration volume and is preserved during upgrades.

Will my API keys need to be re-entered?
No. API keys and OAuth connections are stored separately and survive the upgrade.

Will my WhatsApp or Telegram stop working?
Channel configuration is preserved. WhatsApp may require a QR code re-scan after some upgrades (this is a WhatsApp limitation, not a ClawBox one). Telegram bots will reconnect automatically.

What if something goes wrong?
The system takes a backup before every upgrade and will automatically roll back if the new version fails to start. In the unlikely event of a problem, contact support and we can restore your backup manually.

Can I skip versions?
Yes. You always upgrade to the latest available version regardless of what version you are currently running.