Switch Modes

Dynamically switch between AI models to optimize costs and performance.

When to Use This Skill

Activate this skill when the user mentions:

• Mode switching commands: eco mode, balanced mode, smart mode, max mode
• Status check: /modes status
• Configuration: /modes setup

How It Works

The skill manages 4 predefined modes, each mapped to a specific model:

• eco → Cheapest model (for summaries, quick questions)
• balanced → Daily driver model (for general work)
• smart → Powerful model (for complex reasoning)
• max → Most powerful model (for critical tasks)

Configuration is stored in ~/.openclaw/workspace/switch-modes.json.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Detect Mode Commands

When the user message contains any of these patterns:

• eco mode or eco (standalone)
• balanced mode or balanced
• smart mode or smart
• max mode or max
• /modes status
• /modes setup

2. Handle Setup Command (/modes setup)

If the configuration file doesn't exist or user requests setup:

1. Use AskUserQuestion to gather model preferences for each mode:

   • ECO mode: Recommend anthropic/claude-3.5-haiku
   • BALANCED mode: Recommend anthropic/claude-sonnet-4-5
   • SMART mode: Recommend anthropic/claude-opus-4-5
   • MAX mode: Recommend anthropic/claude-opus-4-6 or openai/o1-pro

2. Create/update ~/.openclaw/workspace/switch-modes.json with the structure:

{
	"eco": "model-id",
	"balanced": "model-id",
	"smart": "model-id",
	"max": "model-id"
}

1. Confirm setup completion to the user.

3. Handle Status Command (/modes status)

1. Read the OpenClaw config at ~/.openclaw/openclaw.json to get current model
2. Read ~/.openclaw/workspace/switch-modes.json to get mode mappings
3. Determine which mode is currently active by matching the current model
4. Display: ✅ Currently in [MODE] mode using [MODEL_ID]

4. Handle Mode Switch Commands

When user requests a mode switch:

1. Read configuration:

   cat ~/.openclaw/workspace/switch-modes.json
   

   If file doesn't exist, prompt user to run /modes setup first.

2. Get the target model from the config based on requested mode (eco/balanced/smart/max)

3. Update OpenClaw config:

   • Read current config: ~/.openclaw/openclaw.json
   • Update the model field with the new model ID
   • Write back to ~/.openclaw/openclaw.json

4. Confirm to user:

   ✅ [MODE] mode activated
   Now using: [MODEL_ID]
   

Examples

Example 1: Mode Switch

User: eco mode
Agent: [reads switch-modes.json, gets model for "eco"]
Agent: [updates openclaw.json with new model]
Agent: ✅ ECO mode activated
      Now using: anthropic/claude-3.5-haiku

Example 2: Status Check

User: /modes status
Agent: [reads openclaw.json for current model]
Agent: [reads switch-modes.json for mode mappings]
Agent: ✅ Currently in BALANCED mode using anthropic/claude-sonnet-4-5

Example 3: First Time Setup

User: /modes setup
Agent: [uses AskUserQuestion for each mode]
Agent: [creates ~/.openclaw/workspace/switch-modes.json]
Agent: ✅ Setup complete! You can now use:
      - eco mode
      - balanced mode
      - smart mode
      - max mode

File Locations

• Configuration: ~/.openclaw/workspace/switch-modes.json
• OpenClaw Config: ~/.openclaw/openclaw.json
• Example Config: See example-config.json in skill directory

Common Edge Cases

1. Config file missing: Prompt user to run /modes setup
2. Invalid model ID: Show error and ask user to reconfigure that mode
3. Model not available: Suggest checking API keys and model access in OpenClaw
4. Ambiguous input: If just "eco" or "smart" without "mode", still treat as mode switch command
5. Case insensitive: Accept "ECO MODE", "Eco Mode", "eco mode" all the same

Important Notes

• Mode switching is instant - no restart required
• Changes only affect the current session's default model
• Preserve all other settings in openclaw.json when updating model
• Always validate JSON before writing config files
• Use absolute paths: ~/.openclaw/... not relative paths

Reference

For detailed troubleshooting, supported models list, and FAQ, see ./REFERENCE.md.