OpenClaw Tech Briefs

OpenClaw v2026.4.5 + v4.2/v4.1/v3.31 + Claude Ban/API Shift + GLM-5.1/Kimi K2/Codex Alts + Free No-GPU Guides + ClawHub/HEARTBEAT/Migrations/vLLM + Installs + 401 Fixes + A2A Bridge

OpenClaw v2026.4.5 + v4.2/v4.1/v3.31 + Claude Ban/API Shift + GLM-5.1/Kimi K2/Codex Alts + Free No-GPU Guides + ClawHub/HEARTBEAT/Migrations/vLLM + Installs + 401 Fixes + A2A Bridge

Key Questions

What is the status of Claude support in OpenClaw?

Claude subscriptions end OpenClaw support as of April 4, with paygo shocks; Anthropic changed terms, introducing separate charges for third-party tools.

What are the new OpenClaw versions released?

Releases include v2026.4.5, v4.2, v4.1, and v3.31; v4.5 has breaking changes in config, media, and dreaming memory, while v3.31 adds Task Brain for EU compliance.

What models are recommended as Claude alternatives?

GLM-5.1 (Z.AI, OpenClaw-optimized, SWE-Bench SOTA), Kimi K2.5, and Codex swaps power OpenClaw cost-effectively. Free no-GPU guides available.

How to fix 401 auth errors in OpenClaw?

401 fixes involve bearer tokens and missing headers; troubleshoot gateway issues with Ollama hybrid, curl, Fly.io, YT, Discord, Telegram setups.

What breaking changes in OpenClaw v2026.4.5?

Breaking changes remove legacy public config aliases, affect media/dreaming memory; update tools profile and restart gateway.

What is the A2A plugin bridge in OpenClaw?

A2A bridge enables multi-agent communication; design skills like RAG Architect for Codex & OpenClaw.

Issues with llama.cpp and Gemma-4 in OpenClaw?

llama.cpp cancels tasks during OpenClaw requests; common in Gemma-4 setups.

How to handle OpenClaw gateway troubleshooting?

Gateway errors often stem from four buckets; check OpenClawReady Blog guides for setups and 401 fixes post-Anthropic switch.

Claude ban confirmed (Apr4 subs end/paygo shocks); GLM-5.1 (Z.AI OpenClaw-optimized/SWE-Bench SOTA); Kimi K2.5/Codex swaps; v4.5 breaking config/media/dreaming memory; v3.31 Task Brain EU comp; 401 auth fixes (bearer/missing headers); gateway troubleshooting; A2A plugin bridge/multi-agent; Ollama hybrid/curl/Fly.io/YT/Discord/Telegram; llama.cpp Gemma-4 issues.

Sources (53)
Updated Apr 8, 2026