> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.openclaw.kr/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Streaming and Chunking

# Streaming + chunking

OpenClaw has two separate streaming layers:

* **Block streaming (channels):** emit completed **blocks** as the assistant writes. These are normal channel messages (not token deltas).
* **Preview streaming (Telegram/Discord/Slack):** update a temporary **preview message** while generating.

There is **no true token-delta streaming** to channel messages today. Preview streaming is message-based (send + edits/appends).

## Block streaming (channel messages)

Block streaming sends assistant output in coarse chunks as it becomes available.

```
Model output
  └─ text_delta/events
       ├─ (blockStreamingBreak=text_end)
       │    └─ chunker emits blocks as buffer grows
       └─ (blockStreamingBreak=message_end)
            └─ chunker flushes at message_end
                   └─ channel send (block replies)
```

Legend:

* `text_delta/events`: model stream events (may be sparse for non-streaming models).
* `chunker`: `EmbeddedBlockChunker` applying min/max bounds + break preference.
* `channel send`: actual outbound messages (block replies).

**Controls:**

* `agents.defaults.blockStreamingDefault`: `"on"`/`"off"` (default off).
* Channel overrides: `*.blockStreaming` (and per-account variants) to force `"on"`/`"off"` per channel.
* `agents.defaults.blockStreamingBreak`: `"text_end"` or `"message_end"`.
* `agents.defaults.blockStreamingChunk`: `{ minChars, maxChars, breakPreference? }`.
* `agents.defaults.blockStreamingCoalesce`: `{ minChars?, maxChars?, idleMs? }` (merge streamed blocks before send).
* Channel hard cap: `*.textChunkLimit` (e.g., `channels.whatsapp.textChunkLimit`).
* Channel chunk mode: `*.chunkMode` (`length` default, `newline` splits on blank lines (paragraph boundaries) before length chunking).
* Discord soft cap: `channels.discord.maxLinesPerMessage` (default 17) splits tall replies to avoid UI clipping.

**Boundary semantics:**

* `text_end`: stream blocks as soon as chunker emits; flush on each `text_end`.
* `message_end`: wait until assistant message finishes, then flush buffered output.

`message_end` still uses the chunker if the buffered text exceeds `maxChars`, so it can emit multiple chunks at the end.

## Chunking algorithm (low/high bounds)

Block chunking is implemented by `EmbeddedBlockChunker`:

* **Low bound:** don’t emit until buffer >= `minChars` (unless forced).
* **High bound:** prefer splits before `maxChars`; if forced, split at `maxChars`.
* **Break preference:** `paragraph` → `newline` → `sentence` → `whitespace` → hard break.
* **Code fences:** never split inside fences; when forced at `maxChars`, close + reopen the fence to keep Markdown valid.

`maxChars` is clamped to the channel `textChunkLimit`, so you can’t exceed per-channel caps.

## Coalescing (merge streamed blocks)

When block streaming is enabled, OpenClaw can **merge consecutive block chunks**
before sending them out. This reduces “single-line spam” while still providing
progressive output.

* Coalescing waits for **idle gaps** (`idleMs`) before flushing.
* Buffers are capped by `maxChars` and will flush if they exceed it.
* `minChars` prevents tiny fragments from sending until enough text accumulates
  (final flush always sends remaining text).
* Joiner is derived from `blockStreamingChunk.breakPreference`
  (`paragraph` → `\n\n`, `newline` → `\n`, `sentence` → space).
* Channel overrides are available via `*.blockStreamingCoalesce` (including per-account configs).
* Default coalesce `minChars` is bumped to 1500 for Signal/Slack/Discord unless overridden.

## Human-like pacing between blocks

When block streaming is enabled, you can add a **randomized pause** between
block replies (after the first block). This makes multi-bubble responses feel
more natural.

* Config: `agents.defaults.humanDelay` (override per agent via `agents.list[].humanDelay`).
* Modes: `off` (default), `natural` (800–2500ms), `custom` (`minMs`/`maxMs`).
* Applies only to **block replies**, not final replies or tool summaries.

## "Stream chunks or everything"

This maps to:

* **Stream chunks:** `blockStreamingDefault: "on"` + `blockStreamingBreak: "text_end"` (emit as you go). Non-Telegram channels also need `*.blockStreaming: true`.
* **Stream everything at end:** `blockStreamingBreak: "message_end"` (flush once, possibly multiple chunks if very long).
* **No block streaming:** `blockStreamingDefault: "off"` (only final reply).

**Channel note:** Block streaming is **off unless**
`*.blockStreaming` is explicitly set to `true`. Channels can stream a live preview
(`channels.<channel>.streaming`) without block replies.

Config location reminder: the `blockStreaming*` defaults live under
`agents.defaults`, not the root config.

## Preview streaming modes

Canonical key: `channels.<channel>.streaming`

Modes:

* `off`: disable preview streaming.
* `partial`: single preview that is replaced with latest text.
* `block`: preview updates in chunked/appended steps.
* `progress`: progress/status preview during generation, final answer at completion.

### Channel mapping

| Channel  | `off` | `partial` | `block` | `progress`        |
| -------- | ----- | --------- | ------- | ----------------- |
| Telegram | ✅     | ✅         | ✅       | maps to `partial` |
| Discord  | ✅     | ✅         | ✅       | maps to `partial` |
| Slack    | ✅     | ✅         | ✅       | ✅                 |

Slack-only:

* `channels.slack.nativeStreaming` toggles Slack native streaming API calls when `streaming=partial` (default: `true`).

Legacy key migration:

* Telegram: `streamMode` + boolean `streaming` auto-migrate to `streaming` enum.
* Discord: `streamMode` + boolean `streaming` auto-migrate to `streaming` enum.
* Slack: `streamMode` auto-migrates to `streaming` enum; boolean `streaming` auto-migrates to `nativeStreaming`.

### Runtime behavior

Telegram:

* Uses `sendMessage` + `editMessageText` preview updates across DMs and group/topics.
* Preview streaming is skipped when Telegram block streaming is explicitly enabled (to avoid double-streaming).
* `/reasoning stream` can write reasoning to preview.

Discord:

* Uses send + edit preview messages.
* `block` mode uses draft chunking (`draftChunk`).
* Preview streaming is skipped when Discord block streaming is explicitly enabled.

Slack:

* `partial` can use Slack native streaming (`chat.startStream`/`append`/`stop`) when available.
* `block` uses append-style draft previews.
* `progress` uses status preview text, then final answer.