# setup

Initialize local config and an agent workspace

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

## Facts

- Tool: `setup`
- 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": "setup",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## Why setup is rated Medium

The tool creates or modifies configuration and workspace data. While 'initialize' could suggest initial setup, it falls under Write rather than Execute because it appears to be about data configuration rather than executing arbitrary code or commands. The medium severity reflects that misconfiguration could impact system behavior, but the changes are typically reversible.

From the tool's own definition: "Tool name 'setup' and description 'Initialize local config and an agent workspace' indicate creation and configuration of system resources."

## Use case

AI agents use setup 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": {
    "setup": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "setup_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