# reasoning

Toggle reasoning output (on|off|stream).

Agent View of the PolicyLayer registry record for `reasoning`. HTML page: https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw/reasoning

## Facts

- Tool: `reasoning`
- Server: OpenClaw (`openclaw`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw.md
- Install: `npx -y openclaw`
- Homepage: https://www.npmjs.com/package/openclaw
- Risk category: Write (Medium risk)
- Registry record: grade F, identity verified
- Server rate-limited: no
- Parameters: 0
- Recommended policy verdict: Rate-limited

## Example call (MCP tools/call, JSON-RPC 2.0)

```json
{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "id": 1,
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "reasoning",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## 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 own definition: "Toggle reasoning output (on|off|stream)"

## Use case

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.

## Recommended policy (PolicyLayer)

Verdict: **Rate-limited**. Enforced by the PolicyLayer MCP gateway (https://policylayer.com/mcp-gateway) before a call reaches OpenClaw:

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

## Other tools on OpenClaw (128)

- `drop` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw/drop.md
- `reset` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw/reset.md
- `uninstall` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw/uninstall.md
- `abort` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw/abort.md
- `acp` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw/acp.md
- `action` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw/action.md
- `agent` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw/agent.md
- `auth` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw/auth.md
- `bash` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw/bash.md
- `browser` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw/browser.md
- `capability` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw/capability.md
- `chat` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw/chat.md
- `command` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw/command.md
- `completion` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw/completion.md
- `crestodian` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw/crestodian.md
- `cron` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw/cron.md
- `daemon` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw/daemon.md
- `doctor` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw/doctor.md
- `elevated` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw/elevated.md
- `events_wait` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw/events-wait.md
- `gateway` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw/gateway.md
- `infer` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw/infer.md
- `new` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw/new.md
- `node` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw/node.md
- `nodes` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw/nodes.md
- `permissions_respond` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw/permissions-respond.md
- `phone` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw/phone.md
- `plugins` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw/plugins.md
- `proxy` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw/proxy.md
- `qa` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw/qa.md
- …and 98 more: https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw.md

## For agents

This record is a snapshot. Live verdicts and the full registry:

- Check every server in your MCP config at once: `npx -y policylayer stack`
- Vet a server before you add it: install the mcp-precheck skill — `npx skills add https://policylayer.com` (skill text: https://policylayer.com/skill.md)
- Query the registry over MCP: endpoint `https://api.policylayer.com/mcp` — tools `check_mcp_server`, `check_mcp_stack`, `check_tool`, `search_registry`, `get_change_events`

---

Source: the PolicyLayer MCP registry — one continuously verified record per MCP server. Full record: https://policylayer.com/registry?q=openclaw · API: https://policylayer.com/registry/api · Policy library: https://policylayer.com/policies/openclaw