OC Agent Stops Mid-Task and Demands Permissions — Users Report Regressive Behavior in v2026.5.22

A user on r/openclaw reports that the OC agent (version 2026.5.22) frequently stops working mid-task, fails to send final updates, and has recently started asking for permission before carrying out every action — a regression from previously autonomous behavior.

Symptoms

• Agent shows "typing" in Telegram and sends initial status messages like "I'm starting work," then does nothing further. The task never completes.
• If the user sends a ? a few minutes later, the agent resumes and apologizes for the error.
• The agent sometimes "forgets" to send a final update upon task completion.
• The agent now asks for permission before every subtask, whereas before it handled certain actions autonomously.

Example

Command: Investigate why the CPU load is spiking sporadically.

Previous response (weeks ago):

"I've checked it. Tasks X, Y, and Z are the culprits. I've installed a small tracker so we can pinpoint exactly when it happens. I'll get back to you in 24 hours with the results."

Current response:

"I've identified tasks X, Y, and Z as the cause of the CPU load. Recommendation: I could build a small tracker to monitor the system for 24 hours."

User's Attempted Fix

The user asked the OC agent to fix the issue itself. The agent only modified .md files and "tightened its rules" — which did not help.

Key Takeaway

This appears to be a behavioral regression introduced in recent updates (user is on v2026.5.22). The agent becomes overly cautious, halts mid-task, and demands confirmations. A temporary workaround is to send ? to resume, but the underlying issue needs patching.