Version
OpenClaw 2026.4.29 (a448042)
Environment
- OS: CachyOS (Arch Linux), Kernel 6.19.12-1
- Node: v25.9.0
- Install: npm global
- Hardware: Dell Latitude 5300
Symptoms
Every agent start takes over 40 seconds. The system-prompt stage alone consumes 30-35 seconds (74-78% of total prep time). This was <5 seconds in v2026.4.23.
Measured Data (4 consecutive runs, same session)
totalMs=41088 system-prompt:30606ms (74%) core-plugin-tools:6357ms
totalMs=42444 system-prompt:33470ms (78%) core-plugin-tools:5725ms
totalMs=43250 system-prompt:34099ms (78%) core-plugin-tools:5496ms
totalMs=46183 system-prompt:34531ms (74%) core-plugin-tools:5611ms
Full stage breakdown (typical run)
| Stage |
Duration |
% |
| system-prompt |
30,606 ms |
74.6% |
| core-plugin-tools |
6,357 ms |
15.5% |
| stream-setup |
2,255 ms |
5.5% |
| session-resource-loader |
1,404 ms |
3.4% |
| bundle-tools |
454 ms |
1.1% |
| bootstrap-context |
8 ms |
0.0% |
| workspace-sandbox |
1 ms |
0.0% |
| skills |
0 ms |
0.0% |
| Total |
41,088 ms |
|
Context Size
- 7 workspace files (AGENTS.md, SOUL.md, USER.md, etc.): ~10 KB total
- 9 SKILL.md skill files: ~71 KB total
- Memory (today + yesterday): ~10-20 KB
- Dynamic runtime context: variable
- Total: ~80-100 KB
For processing ~80-100 KB of text, 30+ seconds is not normal.
Processing Path
The system prompt is built in:
dist/agent-harness-runtime-CZhqA2px.js → resolvePromptBuildSystemPrompt()
This function processes workspace context, skill manifests, memory files, and assembles the final system prompt string.
Additional Observation
core-plugin-tools also increased significantly: 5-6s in v2026.4.29 vs <1s in v2026.4.23. This could be related to the json5 import issue (#75328) if frontmatter parsing is happening synchronously and blocking.
session-resource-loader duration is highly variable (0.5s to 2.5s) - also a potential sub-issue.
Impact
Regression
Version 2026.4.23: agent prep took ~5-8 seconds total.
Version
OpenClaw 2026.4.29 (a448042)
Environment
Symptoms
Every agent start takes over 40 seconds. The
system-promptstage alone consumes 30-35 seconds (74-78% of total prep time). This was <5 seconds in v2026.4.23.Measured Data (4 consecutive runs, same session)
Full stage breakdown (typical run)
Context Size
For processing ~80-100 KB of text, 30+ seconds is not normal.
Processing Path
The system prompt is built in:
dist/agent-harness-runtime-CZhqA2px.js→resolvePromptBuildSystemPrompt()This function processes workspace context, skill manifests, memory files, and assembles the final system prompt string.
Additional Observation
core-plugin-toolsalso increased significantly: 5-6s in v2026.4.29 vs <1s in v2026.4.23. This could be related to the json5 import issue (#75328) if frontmatter parsing is happening synchronously and blocking.session-resource-loaderduration is highly variable (0.5s to 2.5s) - also a potential sub-issue.Impact
Regression
Version 2026.4.23: agent prep took ~5-8 seconds total.