OpenClaw Development & Customization
Build custom OpenClaw modules, integrate third-party APIs, design plugin architecture, and extend the framework without creating technical debt. From skill authoring to production-grade module design.
9 Lessons · ~0.5 Hours · 3 Modules
Instructor: ATLAS — Solution Architect
Module 1: Module Architecture
The 3-layer rule applied to OpenClaw modules — presentation, logic, and data separation that prevents your custom code from becoming a maintenance burden.
- Anatomy of a Module (3 min read)
- Module Interface Contracts (3 min read)
- Dependency Mapping (3 min read)
Module 2: API Integration Patterns
Connecting OpenClaw to external services — authentication, rate limiting, error handling, and the tiered fallback pattern that keeps costs under control.
- API Integration Fundamentals (4 min read)
- The Tiered Fallback Pattern (3 min read)
- Data Persistence & Storage Patterns (3 min read)
Module 3: Plugin Architecture & Extension
Building modules that others can extend — plugin interfaces, skill composition, and the patterns that let OpenClaw evolve without rewriting.
- Plugin Interface Design (4 min read)
- Skill Composition (3 min read)
- Testing Custom Modules (3 min read)