reasoning

Toggle reasoning output (on|off|stream).

SERVEROpenClaw SOURCEopenclaw

Medium RISK CLASS

Category Write

Parameters 00 required

Recommended Rate-limitedsee the rule below

Registry record Grade F, identity verified Pull the record →

This record as markdown: /tools/openclaw/reasoning.md

WHAT IT DOES

What reasoning does on OpenClaw

AI agents use reasoning to create or update resources in OpenClaw, usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your OpenClaw environment.

RISK

Why reasoning is rated Medium

The tool modifies a configuration/state setting (reasoning output mode), which is a reversible write operation. It doesn't retrieve data, execute code, or perform destructive/financial actions. Severity is low as it only changes an output display setting. Confidence is moderate because the description is brief and the full impact is unclear.

From the tool's definition Toggle reasoning output (on|off|stream)

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

The rule that runs reasoning safely

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and OpenClaw, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For reasoning, this is the rule to start with:

reasoning Rate-limited

reasoning stays usable, but capped: an agent stuck in a loop can't make hundreds of changes a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

View as policy code

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "reasoning": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "reasoning_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

LIMIT THIS TOOL → Instant setup, no code required.

The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect OpenClaw, apply this rule, and every reasoning call is checked against it from then on.

FAQ

Questions about reasoning

What does the reasoning tool do? +

Toggle reasoning output (on|off|stream). It is categorised as a Write tool in the OpenClaw MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on reasoning? +

Register the OpenClaw MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for reasoning: allow, deny, rate-limit, or require approval. Point your MCP client at the PolicyLayer proxy URL and the rule is enforced on every call, before it reaches OpenClaw. Nothing to install.

What risk level is reasoning? +

reasoning is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.

Can I rate-limit reasoning? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the reasoning rule in your PolicyLayer policy. For example, setting max: 10 and window: 60 limits the tool to 10 calls per minute. Rate limits are tracked per agent session and reset automatically.

How do I block reasoning completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for reasoning. The AI agent will receive a policy violation error and cannot call the tool. You can also include a reason field to explain why the tool is blocked.

What MCP server provides reasoning? +

reasoning is provided by the OpenClaw MCP server (openclaw). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

KEEP EXPLORING

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