Agent Can't Run Commands / Tools Disabled
Agent replies but never runs tools / exec tool disabled / tools.profile: messaging
OpenClaw troubleshooting · Updated 2026
Error Message
Agent replies but never runs tools / exec tool disabled / tools.profile: messaging
What Causes This
The agent responds conversationally but never executes file reads, shell commands, or browser actions. This means the tools profile is set to messaging (text-only), which is the default in some older installations.
How to Fix It
Enable the full tools profile:
// In ~/.openclaw/openclaw.json:
{
"tools": {
"profile": "full"
}
}
# Restart after changing
openclaw gateway restart
# If you also need shell commands without approval prompts:
# (only for trusted personal use)
{
"tools": {
"profile": "full",
"exec": { "ask": "off" }
}
}
New installations since v2026.3.8 default to the coding profile during onboarding. If you upgraded from an older version, your config may still have messaging. Run openclaw config get tools.profile to check.