## Summary
Local OpenClaw gateways since v2026.5.x require
`MIN_CLIENT_PROTOCOL_VERSION = 4` (see
[openclaw/src/gateway/protocol/version.ts](https://github.com/NousResearch/openclaw/blob/main/src/gateway/protocol/version.ts)).
The Paperclip openclaw_gateway adapter at v0.3.1 still sends
`PROTOCOL_VERSION = 3`, which produces a WebSocket close (code 1002
\`protocol mismatch\`) before any auth challenge is issued.
## Symptom
Every \`openclaw_gateway\` agent run fails with:
- \`errorCode: openclaw_gateway_request_failed\`
- \`error: protocol mismatch\`
OpenClaw gateway journal:
\`\`\`
[ws] protocol mismatch conn=... remote=127.0.0.1 client=gateway-client
backend vpaperclip
[ws] closed before connect conn=... peer=...->127.0.0.1:18789 code=1002
reason=protocol mismatch
\`\`\`
## Fix
One-line bump in
[\`packages/adapters/openclaw-gateway/src/server/execute.ts:89\`](packages/adapters/openclaw-gateway/src/server/execute.ts#L89):
\`PROTOCOL_VERSION = 3\` → \`PROTOCOL_VERSION = 4\`. No protocol
semantics changed — the adapter's existing frames are compatible with
v4.
## Test plan
- [x] \`pnpm --filter @paperclipai/adapter-openclaw-gateway typecheck\`
clean
- [x] \`pnpm --filter @paperclipai/adapter-openclaw-gateway build\`
clean
- [x] Verified locally: openclaw_gateway agent connects + receives
challenge + completes auth handshake after the bump
## Related
- Same root cause affects every openclaw_gateway-backed agent in the
field. Sparkeros companies SparkEros, Inc. and SparkEros AOS Inc. both
hit it.
🤖 Generated with [Claude Code](https://claude.com/claude-code)
---------
Co-authored-by: Claude Opus 4.7 (1M context) <noreply@anthropic.com>
New adapter type for invoking OpenClaw agents via the gateway protocol.
Registers in server, CLI, and UI adapter registries. Adds onboarding
wizard support with gateway URL field and e2e smoke test script.
Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>
sparkeros
Dotta