Summary

Trying to install extensions like Discord and Matrix will always fail when picking the @openclaw/matrix option to download from NPM. npm install for the extensions fails because of the dev dependency workspace. pnpm install also won't work because it has no path back to the whole repo, since the extension was downloaded separately.

The work around is to manually remove the dev dependency entry and run npm i

I've tried git bisecting but no release since 2026.1.24 has worked with this extension install method.

Probable cause of #5292 and #1839

Steps to reproduce

1. Run the initial onboarding
2. Try to install a channel/plugin like Discord or Matrix
3. Pick the download from NPM option

Expected behavior

The extension to install correctly

Actual behavior

Fails to install dependencies

Environment

• Clawdbot version: 2026.1.24 - 2026.1.30 (and main)
• OS: Tested on Ubuntu 24.04, Docker, and macOS
• Install method (pnpm/npx/docker/etc): pnpm and Docker

Logs or screenshots

◇  Select a channel
│  Matrix (plugin)
│
◇  Install Matrix plugin?
│  Download from npm (@openclaw/matrix)
Downloading @openclaw/matrix…
Extracting /tmp/openclaw-npm-pack-yYve44/openclaw-matrix-2026.1.29.tgz…
Installing to /home/node/.openclaw/extensions/matrix…
Installing plugin dependencies…
│
◇  Plugin install ──────────────────────────────────────────╮
│                                                           │
│  Failed to install @openclaw/matrix: npm install failed:  │
│                                                           │
├───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╯
Plugin install failed: npm install failed: