Spaces:
Paused
Paused
File size: 2,547 Bytes
caea1dc | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 | ---
summary: "OpenClaw logging: rolling diagnostics file log + unified log privacy flags"
read_when:
- Capturing macOS logs or investigating private data logging
- Debugging voice wake/session lifecycle issues
title: "macOS Logging"
---
# Logging (macOS)
## Rolling diagnostics file log (Debug pane)
OpenClaw routes macOS app logs through swift-log (unified logging by default) and can write a local, rotating file log to disk when you need a durable capture.
- Verbosity: **Debug pane → Logs → App logging → Verbosity**
- Enable: **Debug pane → Logs → App logging → “Write rolling diagnostics log (JSONL)”**
- Location: `~/Library/Logs/OpenClaw/diagnostics.jsonl` (rotates automatically; old files are suffixed with `.1`, `.2`, …)
- Clear: **Debug pane → Logs → App logging → “Clear”**
Notes:
- This is **off by default**. Enable only while actively debugging.
- Treat the file as sensitive; don’t share it without review.
## Unified logging private data on macOS
Unified logging redacts most payloads unless a subsystem opts into `privacy -off`. Per Peter's write-up on macOS [logging privacy shenanigans](https://steipete.me/posts/2025/logging-privacy-shenanigans) (2025) this is controlled by a plist in `/Library/Preferences/Logging/Subsystems/` keyed by the subsystem name. Only new log entries pick up the flag, so enable it before reproducing an issue.
## Enable for OpenClaw (`bot.molt`)
- Write the plist to a temp file first, then install it atomically as root:
```bash
cat <<'EOF' >/tmp/bot.molt.plist
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">
<plist version="1.0">
<dict>
<key>DEFAULT-OPTIONS</key>
<dict>
<key>Enable-Private-Data</key>
<true/>
</dict>
</dict>
</plist>
EOF
sudo install -m 644 -o root -g wheel /tmp/bot.molt.plist /Library/Preferences/Logging/Subsystems/bot.molt.plist
```
- No reboot is required; logd notices the file quickly, but only new log lines will include private payloads.
- View the richer output with the existing helper, e.g. `./scripts/clawlog.sh --category WebChat --last 5m`.
## Disable after debugging
- Remove the override: `sudo rm /Library/Preferences/Logging/Subsystems/bot.molt.plist`.
- Optionally run `sudo log config --reload` to force logd to drop the override immediately.
- Remember this surface can include phone numbers and message bodies; keep the plist in place only while you actively need the extra detail.
|