Environment

• OS: Debian 12
• OpenClaw version: upgraded from 2026.2.24 → 2026.2.26 via openclaw update
• Global npm install path: /usr/lib/node_modules/openclaw

Problem

After running openclaw update, the Matrix extension plugin fails to load:

[plugins] matrix failed to load from /usr/lib/node_modules/openclaw/extensions/matrix/index.ts:
  Error: Cannot find module '@vector-im/matrix-bot-sdk'
  Require stack:
  - /usr/lib/node_modules/openclaw/extensions/matrix/src/matrix/client/config.ts

The plugin directory extensions/matrix/ contains a valid package.json listing its dependencies:

{
  "dependencies": {
    "@matrix-org/matrix-sdk-crypto-nodejs": "...",
    "@vector-im/matrix-bot-sdk": "...",
    "markdown-it": "...",
    "music-metadata": "...",
    "zod": "..."
  }
}

However, extensions/matrix/node_modules/ is empty after the update — the dependencies are wiped and not reinstalled.

The Matrix channel was working correctly on 2026.2.24. After the update it stops working entirely until the dependencies are manually reinstalled.

Steps to Reproduce

1. Run openclaw with Matrix channel working on 2026.2.24
2. Run openclaw update
3. Restart openclaw service
4. Observe [plugins] matrix failed to load error and Matrix channel disappearing from openclaw status

Workaround

Manually reinstall the plugin's dependencies after every update:

cd /usr/lib/node_modules/openclaw/extensions/matrix
npm install

Then restart the service.

Suggested Fix

The openclaw update script should run npm install (or equivalent) inside each extension plugin directory that has a package.json after completing the main package update.