Summary

• Show configured official external channels in openclaw channels list when their plugin package is missing.
• Mark JSON rows as configured and installed: false for this missing-owner case.
• Add Discord regression coverage and changelog entry for Discord channel silently disabled after 2026.4.x → 2026.5.x upgrade (externalised plugin not auto-installed) #82813.

Verification

• git diff --check
• pnpm test src/commands/channels.list.test.ts src/commands/status-all/channels.test.ts src/commands/doctor/shared/missing-configured-plugin-install.test.ts src/commands/doctor/shared/release-configured-plugin-installs.test.ts src/cli/update-cli/post-core-plugin-convergence.test.ts
• pnpm changed:lanes --json
• pnpm check:changed (Blacksmith Testbox tbx_01krsxf3c8c0jmcj8vkmcqrh1r, exit 0)
• /Users/steipete/Projects/agent-scripts/skills/codex-review/scripts/codex-review --mode local (clean: no accepted/actionable findings)

Real behavior proof

Behavior addressed: openclaw channels list no longer reports no configured chat channels when config has a configured official external channel but the plugin package is missing.
Real environment tested: local source checkout with isolated OPENCLAW_CONFIG_PATH and OPENCLAW_STATE_DIR; bundled and persisted plugin registry disabled to reproduce the missing installed plugin owner state.
Exact steps or command run after this patch: OPENCLAW_CONFIG_PATH=$tmp/openclaw.json OPENCLAW_STATE_DIR=$tmp/state OPENCLAW_DISABLE_BUNDLED_PLUGINS=1 OPENCLAW_DISABLE_PERSISTED_PLUGIN_REGISTRY=1 NO_COLOR=1 pnpm openclaw channels list; same env with pnpm openclaw channels list --json.
Evidence after fix: live command output from the isolated OpenClaw setup:

$ node scripts/run-node.mjs channels list
gateway connect failed: GatewayClientRequestError: unauthorized: gateway token missing (provide gateway auth token)
Chat channels:
- Discord: not installed, configured, disabled, run openclaw plugins install @openclaw/discord or openclaw doctor --fix

Model provider usage moved out of `channels list` - see `openclaw status` or `openclaw models list`.
Docs: https://docs.openclaw.ai/gateway/configuration

--- json ---
$ node scripts/run-node.mjs channels list --json
{
  "chat": {
    "discord": {
      "accounts": [],
      "installed": false,
      "origin": "configured"
    }
  }
}

Observed result after fix: text output contains Discord with not installed, configured, disabled, and install/doctor repair commands; JSON includes origin: "configured" and installed: false.
What was not tested: full packaged 2026.4.27 to 2026.5.12 upgrade and live Discord gateway connection.