Plugins: add root-alias shim and cache/docs updates

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ Docs: https://docs.openclaw.ai
 - Extensions/media local-root propagation: consistently forward `mediaLocalRoots` through extension `sendMedia` adapters (Google Chat, Slack, iMessage, Signal, WhatsApp), preserving non-local media behavior while restoring local attachment resolution from configured roots. Synthesis of #33581, #33545, #33540, #33536, #33528. Thanks @bmendonca3.
 - Gateway/security default response headers: add `Permissions-Policy: camera=(), microphone=(), geolocation=()` to baseline gateway HTTP security headers for all responses. (#30186) thanks @habakan.
 - Plugins/startup loading: lazily initialize plugin runtime, split startup-critical plugin SDK imports into `openclaw/plugin-sdk/core` and `openclaw/plugin-sdk/telegram`, and preserve `api.runtime` reflection semantics for plugin compatibility. (#28620) thanks @hmemcpy.
+- Plugins/startup performance: reduce bursty plugin discovery/manifest overhead with short in-process caches, skip importing bundled memory plugins that are disabled by slot selection, and speed legacy root `openclaw/plugin-sdk` compatibility via runtime root-alias routing while preserving backward compatibility. Thanks @gumadeiras.
 - Build/lazy runtime boundaries: replace ineffective dynamic import sites with dedicated lazy runtime boundaries across Slack slash handling, Telegram audit, CLI send deps, memory fallback, and outbound delivery paths while preserving behavior. (#33690) thanks @gumadeiras.
 - Config/heartbeat legacy-path handling: auto-migrate top-level `heartbeat` into `agents.defaults.heartbeat` (with merge semantics that preserve explicit defaults), and keep startup failures on non-migratable legacy entries in the detailed invalid-config path instead of generic migration-failed errors. (#32706) thanks @xiwan.
 - Plugins/SDK subpath parity: add channel-specific plugin SDK subpaths for Discord, Slack, Signal, iMessage, WhatsApp, and LINE; migrate bundled plugin entrypoints to scoped subpaths/core with CI guardrails; and keep `openclaw/plugin-sdk` root import compatibility for existing external plugins. (#33737) thanks @gumadeiras.

docs/tools/plugin.md

@@ -112,6 +112,7 @@ Use SDK subpaths instead of the monolithic `openclaw/plugin-sdk` import when
 authoring plugins:
 
 - `openclaw/plugin-sdk/core` for generic plugin APIs, provider auth types, and shared helpers.
+- `openclaw/plugin-sdk/compat` for bundled/internal plugin code that needs broader shared runtime helpers than `core`.
 - `openclaw/plugin-sdk/telegram` for Telegram channel plugins.
 - `openclaw/plugin-sdk/discord` for Discord channel plugins.
 - `openclaw/plugin-sdk/slack` for Slack channel plugins.
@@ -123,8 +124,17 @@ authoring plugins:
 Compatibility note:
 
 - `openclaw/plugin-sdk` remains supported for existing external plugins.
-- New and migrated bundled plugins should use channel subpaths (or `core`) to
+- New and migrated bundled plugins should use channel subpaths and `core`; use
-  keep startup imports scoped.
+  `compat` only when broader shared helpers are required.
+
+Performance note:
+
+- Plugin discovery and manifest metadata use short in-process caches to reduce
+  bursty startup/reload work.
+- Set `OPENCLAW_DISABLE_PLUGIN_DISCOVERY_CACHE=1` or
+  `OPENCLAW_DISABLE_PLUGIN_MANIFEST_CACHE=1` to disable these caches.
+- Tune cache windows with `OPENCLAW_PLUGIN_DISCOVERY_CACHE_MS` and
+  `OPENCLAW_PLUGIN_MANIFEST_CACHE_MS`.
 
 ## Discovery & precedence
 

package.json

@@ -44,6 +44,10 @@
       "types": "./dist/plugin-sdk/core.d.ts",
       "default": "./dist/plugin-sdk/core.js"
     },
+    "./plugin-sdk/compat": {
+      "types": "./dist/plugin-sdk/compat.d.ts",
+      "default": "./dist/plugin-sdk/compat.js"
+    },
     "./plugin-sdk/telegram": {
       "types": "./dist/plugin-sdk/telegram.d.ts",
       "default": "./dist/plugin-sdk/telegram.js"
@@ -91,9 +95,9 @@
     "android:run": "cd apps/android && ./gradlew :app:installDebug && adb shell am start -n ai.openclaw.android/.MainActivity",
     "android:test": "cd apps/android && ./gradlew :app:testDebugUnitTest",
     "android:test:integration": "OPENCLAW_LIVE_TEST=1 OPENCLAW_LIVE_ANDROID_NODE=1 vitest run --config vitest.live.config.ts src/gateway/android-node.capabilities.live.test.ts",
-    "build": "pnpm canvas:a2ui:bundle && tsdown && pnpm build:plugin-sdk:dts && node --import tsx scripts/write-plugin-sdk-entry-dts.ts && node --import tsx scripts/canvas-a2ui-copy.ts && node --import tsx scripts/copy-hook-metadata.ts && node --import tsx scripts/copy-export-html-templates.ts && node --import tsx scripts/write-build-info.ts && node --import tsx scripts/write-cli-startup-metadata.ts && node --import tsx scripts/write-cli-compat.ts",
+    "build": "pnpm canvas:a2ui:bundle && tsdown && node scripts/copy-plugin-sdk-root-alias.mjs && pnpm build:plugin-sdk:dts && node --import tsx scripts/write-plugin-sdk-entry-dts.ts && node --import tsx scripts/canvas-a2ui-copy.ts && node --import tsx scripts/copy-hook-metadata.ts && node --import tsx scripts/copy-export-html-templates.ts && node --import tsx scripts/write-build-info.ts && node --import tsx scripts/write-cli-startup-metadata.ts && node --import tsx scripts/write-cli-compat.ts",
     "build:plugin-sdk:dts": "tsc -p tsconfig.plugin-sdk.dts.json",
-    "build:strict-smoke": "pnpm canvas:a2ui:bundle && tsdown && pnpm build:plugin-sdk:dts",
+    "build:strict-smoke": "pnpm canvas:a2ui:bundle && tsdown && node scripts/copy-plugin-sdk-root-alias.mjs && pnpm build:plugin-sdk:dts",
     "canvas:a2ui:bundle": "bash scripts/bundle-a2ui.sh",
     "check": "pnpm format:check && pnpm tsgo && pnpm lint && pnpm lint:tmp:no-random-messaging && pnpm lint:tmp:channel-agnostic-boundaries && pnpm lint:tmp:no-raw-channel-fetch && pnpm lint:agent:ingress-owner && pnpm lint:plugins:no-register-http-handler && pnpm lint:plugins:no-monolithic-plugin-sdk-entry-imports && pnpm lint:webhook:no-low-level-body-read && pnpm lint:auth:no-pairing-store-group && pnpm lint:auth:pairing-account-scope && pnpm check:host-env-policy:swift",
     "check:docs": "pnpm format:docs:check && pnpm lint:docs && pnpm docs:check-links",

scripts/check-no-monolithic-plugin-sdk-entry-imports.ts

@@ -13,14 +13,68 @@ function hasMonolithicRootImport(content: string): boolean {
   return ROOT_IMPORT_PATTERNS.some((pattern) => pattern.test(content));
 }
 
+function isSourceFile(filePath: string): boolean {
+  if (filePath.endsWith(".d.ts")) {
+    return false;
+  }
+  return /\.(?:[cm]?ts|[cm]?js|tsx|jsx)$/u.test(filePath);
+}
+
+function collectPluginSourceFiles(rootDir: string): string[] {
+  const srcDir = path.join(rootDir, "src");
+  if (!fs.existsSync(srcDir)) {
+    return [];
+  }
+
+  const files: string[] = [];
+  const stack: string[] = [srcDir];
+  while (stack.length > 0) {
+    const current = stack.pop();
+    if (!current) {
+      continue;
+    }
+    let entries: fs.Dirent[] = [];
+    try {
+      entries = fs.readdirSync(current, { withFileTypes: true });
+    } catch {
+      continue;
+    }
+    for (const entry of entries) {
+      const fullPath = path.join(current, entry.name);
+      if (entry.isDirectory()) {
+        if (
+          entry.name === "node_modules" ||
+          entry.name === "dist" ||
+          entry.name === ".git" ||
+          entry.name === "coverage"
+        ) {
+          continue;
+        }
+        stack.push(fullPath);
+        continue;
+      }
+      if (entry.isFile() && isSourceFile(fullPath)) {
+        files.push(fullPath);
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  return files;
+}
+
 function main() {
   const discovery = discoverOpenClawPlugins({});
-  const bundledEntryFiles = [
+  const bundledCandidates = discovery.candidates.filter((c) => c.origin === "bundled");
-    ...new Set(discovery.candidates.filter((c) => c.origin === "bundled").map((c) => c.source)),
+  const filesToCheck = new Set<string>();
-  ];
+  for (const candidate of bundledCandidates) {
+    filesToCheck.add(candidate.source);
+    for (const srcFile of collectPluginSourceFiles(candidate.rootDir)) {
+      filesToCheck.add(srcFile);
+    }
+  }
 
   const offenders: string[] = [];
-  for (const entryFile of bundledEntryFiles) {
+  for (const entryFile of filesToCheck) {
     let content = "";
     try {
       content = fs.readFileSync(entryFile, "utf8");
@@ -33,17 +87,19 @@ function main() {
   }
 
   if (offenders.length > 0) {
-    console.error("Bundled plugin entrypoints must not import monolithic openclaw/plugin-sdk.");
+    console.error("Bundled plugin source files must not import monolithic openclaw/plugin-sdk.");
     for (const file of offenders.toSorted()) {
       const relative = path.relative(process.cwd(), file) || file;
       console.error(`- ${relative}`);
     }
-    console.error("Use openclaw/plugin-sdk/<channel> for channel plugins or /core for others.");
+    console.error(
+      "Use openclaw/plugin-sdk/<channel> for channel plugins, /core for startup surfaces, or /compat for broader internals.",
+    );
     process.exit(1);
   }
 
   console.log(
-    `OK: bundled entrypoints use scoped plugin-sdk subpaths (${bundledEntryFiles.length} checked).`,
+    `OK: bundled plugin source files use scoped plugin-sdk subpaths (${filesToCheck.size} checked).`,
   );
 }
 

scripts/check-plugin-sdk-exports.mjs

@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@ const exportSet = new Set(exportedNames);
 
 const requiredSubpathEntries = [
   "core",
+  "compat",
   "telegram",
   "discord",
   "slack",
@@ -53,6 +54,8 @@ const requiredSubpathEntries = [
   "account-id",
 ];
 
+const requiredRuntimeShimEntries = ["root-alias.cjs"];
+
 // Critical functions that channel extension plugins import from openclaw/plugin-sdk.
 // If any of these are missing, plugins will fail at runtime with:
 //   TypeError: (0 , _pluginSdk.<name>) is not a function
@@ -101,6 +104,14 @@ for (const entry of requiredSubpathEntries) {
   }
 }
 
+for (const entry of requiredRuntimeShimEntries) {
+  const shimPath = resolve(__dirname, "..", "dist", "plugin-sdk", entry);
+  if (!existsSync(shimPath)) {
+    console.error(`MISSING RUNTIME SHIM: dist/plugin-sdk/${entry}`);
+    missing += 1;
+  }
+}
+
 if (missing > 0) {
   console.error(
     `\nERROR: ${missing} required plugin-sdk artifact(s) missing (named exports or subpath files).`,

scripts/copy-plugin-sdk-root-alias.mjs

@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env node
+
+import { copyFileSync, mkdirSync } from "node:fs";
+import { dirname, resolve } from "node:path";
+
+const source = resolve("src/plugin-sdk/root-alias.cjs");
+const target = resolve("dist/plugin-sdk/root-alias.cjs");
+
+mkdirSync(dirname(target), { recursive: true });
+copyFileSync(source, target);

scripts/release-check.ts

@@ -16,6 +16,9 @@ const requiredPathGroups = [
   "dist/plugin-sdk/index.d.ts",
   "dist/plugin-sdk/core.js",
   "dist/plugin-sdk/core.d.ts",
+  "dist/plugin-sdk/root-alias.cjs",
+  "dist/plugin-sdk/compat.js",
+  "dist/plugin-sdk/compat.d.ts",
   "dist/plugin-sdk/telegram.js",
   "dist/plugin-sdk/telegram.d.ts",
   "dist/plugin-sdk/discord.js",

scripts/write-plugin-sdk-entry-dts.ts

@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ import path from "node:path";
 const entrypoints = [
   "index",
   "core",
+  "compat",
   "telegram",
   "discord",
   "slack",

src/plugin-sdk/compat.ts

@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+export * from "./index.js";

src/plugin-sdk/root-alias.cjs

@@ -0,0 +1,145 @@
+"use strict";
+
+const path = require("node:path");
+const fs = require("node:fs");
+
+let monolithicSdk = null;
+
+function emptyPluginConfigSchema() {
+  function error(message) {
+    return { success: false, error: { issues: [{ path: [], message }] } };
+  }
+
+  return {
+    safeParse(value) {
+      if (value === undefined) {
+        return { success: true, data: undefined };
+      }
+      if (!value || typeof value !== "object" || Array.isArray(value)) {
+        return error("expected config object");
+      }
+      if (Object.keys(value).length > 0) {
+        return error("config must be empty");
+      }
+      return { success: true, data: value };
+    },
+    jsonSchema: {
+      type: "object",
+      additionalProperties: false,
+      properties: {},
+    },
+  };
+}
+
+function loadMonolithicSdk() {
+  if (monolithicSdk) {
+    return monolithicSdk;
+  }
+
+  const { createJiti } = require("jiti");
+  const jiti = createJiti(__filename, {
+    interopDefault: true,
+    extensions: [".ts", ".tsx", ".mts", ".cts", ".mtsx", ".ctsx", ".js", ".mjs", ".cjs", ".json"],
+  });
+
+  const distCandidate = path.resolve(__dirname, "..", "..", "dist", "plugin-sdk", "index.js");
+  if (fs.existsSync(distCandidate)) {
+    try {
+      monolithicSdk = jiti(distCandidate);
+      return monolithicSdk;
+    } catch {
+      // Fall through to source alias if dist is unavailable or stale.
+    }
+  }
+
+  monolithicSdk = jiti(path.join(__dirname, "index.ts"));
+  return monolithicSdk;
+}
+
+const fastExports = {
+  emptyPluginConfigSchema,
+};
+
+const rootProxy = new Proxy(fastExports, {
+  get(target, prop, receiver) {
+    if (prop === "__esModule") {
+      return true;
+    }
+    if (prop === "default") {
+      return rootProxy;
+    }
+    if (Reflect.has(target, prop)) {
+      return Reflect.get(target, prop, receiver);
+    }
+    return loadMonolithicSdk()[prop];
+  },
+  has(target, prop) {
+    if (prop === "__esModule" || prop === "default") {
+      return true;
+    }
+    if (Reflect.has(target, prop)) {
+      return true;
+    }
+    return prop in loadMonolithicSdk();
+  },
+  ownKeys(target) {
+    const keys = new Set([
+      ...Reflect.ownKeys(target),
+      ...Reflect.ownKeys(loadMonolithicSdk()),
+      "default",
+      "__esModule",
+    ]);
+    return [...keys];
+  },
+  getOwnPropertyDescriptor(target, prop) {
+    if (prop === "__esModule") {
+      return {
+        configurable: true,
+        enumerable: false,
+        writable: false,
+        value: true,
+      };
+    }
+    if (prop === "default") {
+      return {
+        configurable: true,
+        enumerable: false,
+        writable: false,
+        value: rootProxy,
+      };
+    }
+    const own = Object.getOwnPropertyDescriptor(target, prop);
+    if (own) {
+      return own;
+    }
+    const descriptor = Object.getOwnPropertyDescriptor(loadMonolithicSdk(), prop);
+    if (!descriptor) {
+      return undefined;
+    }
+    if (descriptor.get || descriptor.set) {
+      const monolithic = loadMonolithicSdk();
+      return {
+        configurable: true,
+        enumerable: descriptor.enumerable ?? true,
+        get: descriptor.get
+          ? function getLegacyValue() {
+              return descriptor.get.call(monolithic);
+            }
+          : undefined,
+        set: descriptor.set
+          ? function setLegacyValue(value) {
+              return descriptor.set.call(monolithic, value);
+            }
+          : undefined,
+      };
+    }
+    return {
+      configurable: true,
+      enumerable: descriptor.enumerable ?? true,
+      value: descriptor.value,
+      writable: descriptor.writable,
+    };
+  },
+});
+
+module.exports = rootProxy;

src/plugin-sdk/root-alias.test.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+import { createRequire } from "node:module";
+import { describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
+
+const require = createRequire(import.meta.url);
+const rootSdk = require("./root-alias.cjs") as Record<string, unknown>;
+
+type EmptySchema = {
+  safeParse: (value: unknown) =>
+    | { success: true; data?: unknown }
+    | {
+        success: false;
+        error: { issues: Array<{ path: Array<string | number>; message: string }> };
+      };
+};
+
+describe("plugin-sdk root alias", () => {
+  it("exposes the fast empty config schema helper", () => {
+    const factory = rootSdk.emptyPluginConfigSchema as (() => EmptySchema) | undefined;
+    expect(typeof factory).toBe("function");
+    if (!factory) {
+      return;
+    }
+    const schema = factory();
+    expect(schema.safeParse(undefined)).toEqual({ success: true, data: undefined });
+    expect(schema.safeParse({})).toEqual({ success: true, data: {} });
+    const parsed = schema.safeParse({ invalid: true });
+    expect(parsed.success).toBe(false);
+  });
+
+  it("loads legacy root exports lazily through the proxy", () => {
+    expect(typeof rootSdk.resolveControlCommandGate).toBe("function");
+    expect(typeof rootSdk.default).toBe("object");
+    expect(rootSdk.default).toBe(rootSdk);
+    expect(rootSdk.__esModule).toBe(true);
+  });
+
+  it("preserves reflection semantics for lazily resolved exports", () => {
+    expect("resolveControlCommandGate" in rootSdk).toBe(true);
+    const keys = Object.keys(rootSdk);
+    expect(keys).toContain("resolveControlCommandGate");
+    const descriptor = Object.getOwnPropertyDescriptor(rootSdk, "resolveControlCommandGate");
+    expect(descriptor).toBeDefined();
+  });
+});

src/plugin-sdk/subpaths.test.ts

@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+import * as compatSdk from "openclaw/plugin-sdk/compat";
 import * as discordSdk from "openclaw/plugin-sdk/discord";
 import * as imessageSdk from "openclaw/plugin-sdk/imessage";
 import * as lineSdk from "openclaw/plugin-sdk/line";
@@ -7,6 +8,11 @@ import * as whatsappSdk from "openclaw/plugin-sdk/whatsapp";
 import { describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
 
 describe("plugin-sdk subpath exports", () => {
+  it("exports compat helpers", () => {
+    expect(typeof compatSdk.emptyPluginConfigSchema).toBe("function");
+    expect(typeof compatSdk.resolveControlCommandGate).toBe("function");
+  });
+
   it("exports Discord helpers", () => {
     expect(typeof discordSdk.resolveDiscordAccount).toBe("function");
     expect(typeof discordSdk.discordOnboardingAdapter).toBe("object");

src/plugin-sdk/telegram.ts

@@ -1,9 +1,17 @@
-export type { ChannelMessageActionAdapter } from "../channels/plugins/types.js";
+export type {
+  ChannelAccountSnapshot,
+  ChannelGatewayContext,
+  ChannelMessageActionAdapter,
+} from "../channels/plugins/types.js";
 export type { ChannelPlugin } from "../channels/plugins/types.plugin.js";
 export type { OpenClawConfig } from "../config/config.js";
+export type { PluginRuntime } from "../plugins/runtime/types.js";
+export type { OpenClawPluginApi } from "../plugins/types.js";
 export type { ResolvedTelegramAccount } from "../telegram/accounts.js";
 export type { TelegramProbe } from "../telegram/probe.js";
 
+export { emptyPluginConfigSchema } from "../plugins/config-schema.js";
+
 export { DEFAULT_ACCOUNT_ID, normalizeAccountId } from "../routing/session-key.js";
 
 export {

src/plugins/discovery.test.ts

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ import os from "node:os";
 import path from "node:path";
 import { afterEach, describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
 import { withEnvAsync } from "../test-utils/env.js";
-import { discoverOpenClawPlugins } from "./discovery.js";
+import { clearPluginDiscoveryCache, discoverOpenClawPlugins } from "./discovery.js";
 
 const tempDirs: string[] = [];
 
@@ -57,6 +57,7 @@ function expectEscapesPackageDiagnostic(diagnostics: Array<{ message: string }>)
 }
 
 afterEach(() => {
+  clearPluginDiscoveryCache();
   for (const dir of tempDirs.splice(0)) {
     try {
       fs.rmSync(dir, { recursive: true, force: true });
@@ -350,4 +351,40 @@ describe("discoverOpenClawPlugins", () => {
       );
     },
   );
+
+  it("reuses discovery results from cache until cleared", async () => {
+    const stateDir = makeTempDir();
+    const globalExt = path.join(stateDir, "extensions");
+    fs.mkdirSync(globalExt, { recursive: true });
+    const pluginPath = path.join(globalExt, "cached.ts");
+    fs.writeFileSync(pluginPath, "export default function () {}", "utf-8");
+
+    const first = await withEnvAsync(
+      {
+        OPENCLAW_PLUGIN_DISCOVERY_CACHE_MS: "5000",
+      },
+      async () => withStateDir(stateDir, async () => discoverOpenClawPlugins({})),
+    );
+    expect(first.candidates.some((candidate) => candidate.idHint === "cached")).toBe(true);
+
+    fs.rmSync(pluginPath, { force: true });
+
+    const second = await withEnvAsync(
+      {
+        OPENCLAW_PLUGIN_DISCOVERY_CACHE_MS: "5000",
+      },
+      async () => withStateDir(stateDir, async () => discoverOpenClawPlugins({})),
+    );
+    expect(second.candidates.some((candidate) => candidate.idHint === "cached")).toBe(true);
+
+    clearPluginDiscoveryCache();
+
+    const third = await withEnvAsync(
+      {
+        OPENCLAW_PLUGIN_DISCOVERY_CACHE_MS: "5000",
+      },
+      async () => withStateDir(stateDir, async () => discoverOpenClawPlugins({})),
+    );
+    expect(third.candidates.some((candidate) => candidate.idHint === "cached")).toBe(false);
+  });
 });

src/plugins/discovery.ts

@@ -33,6 +33,56 @@ export type PluginDiscoveryResult = {
   diagnostics: PluginDiagnostic[];
 };
 
+const discoveryCache = new Map<string, { expiresAt: number; result: PluginDiscoveryResult }>();
+
+// Keep a short cache window to collapse bursty reloads during startup flows.
+const DEFAULT_DISCOVERY_CACHE_MS = 1000;
+
+export function clearPluginDiscoveryCache(): void {
+  discoveryCache.clear();
+}
+
+function resolveDiscoveryCacheMs(env: NodeJS.ProcessEnv): number {
+  const raw = env.OPENCLAW_PLUGIN_DISCOVERY_CACHE_MS?.trim();
+  if (raw === "" || raw === "0") {
+    return 0;
+  }
+  if (!raw) {
+    return DEFAULT_DISCOVERY_CACHE_MS;
+  }
+  const parsed = Number.parseInt(raw, 10);
+  if (!Number.isFinite(parsed)) {
+    return DEFAULT_DISCOVERY_CACHE_MS;
+  }
+  return Math.max(0, parsed);
+}
+
+function shouldUseDiscoveryCache(env: NodeJS.ProcessEnv): boolean {
+  const disabled = env.OPENCLAW_DISABLE_PLUGIN_DISCOVERY_CACHE?.trim();
+  if (disabled) {
+    return false;
+  }
+  return resolveDiscoveryCacheMs(env) > 0;
+}
+
+function buildDiscoveryCacheKey(params: {
+  workspaceDir?: string;
+  extraPaths?: string[];
+  ownershipUid?: number | null;
+}): string {
+  const workspaceKey = params.workspaceDir ? resolveUserPath(params.workspaceDir) : "";
+  const configExtensionsRoot = path.join(resolveConfigDir(), "extensions");
+  const bundledRoot = resolveBundledPluginsDir() ?? "";
+  const normalizedExtraPaths = (params.extraPaths ?? [])
+    .filter((entry): entry is string => typeof entry === "string")
+    .map((entry) => entry.trim())
+    .filter(Boolean)
+    .map((entry) => resolveUserPath(entry))
+    .toSorted();
+  const ownershipUid = params.ownershipUid ?? currentUid();
+  return `${workspaceKey}::${ownershipUid ?? "none"}::${configExtensionsRoot}::${bundledRoot}::${JSON.stringify(normalizedExtraPaths)}`;
+}
+
 function currentUid(overrideUid?: number | null): number | null {
   if (overrideUid !== undefined) {
     return overrideUid;
@@ -569,7 +619,23 @@ export function discoverOpenClawPlugins(params: {
   workspaceDir?: string;
   extraPaths?: string[];
   ownershipUid?: number | null;
+  cache?: boolean;
+  env?: NodeJS.ProcessEnv;
 }): PluginDiscoveryResult {
+  const env = params.env ?? process.env;
+  const cacheEnabled = params.cache !== false && shouldUseDiscoveryCache(env);
+  const cacheKey = buildDiscoveryCacheKey({
+    workspaceDir: params.workspaceDir,
+    extraPaths: params.extraPaths,
+    ownershipUid: params.ownershipUid,
+  });
+  if (cacheEnabled) {
+    const cached = discoveryCache.get(cacheKey);
+    if (cached && cached.expiresAt > Date.now()) {
+      return cached.result;
+    }
+  }
+
   const candidates: PluginCandidate[] = [];
   const diagnostics: PluginDiagnostic[] = [];
   const seen = new Set<string>();
@@ -634,5 +700,12 @@ export function discoverOpenClawPlugins(params: {
     seen,
   });
 
-  return { candidates, diagnostics };
+  const result = { candidates, diagnostics };
+  if (cacheEnabled) {
+    const ttl = resolveDiscoveryCacheMs(env);
+    if (ttl > 0) {
+      discoveryCache.set(cacheKey, { expiresAt: Date.now() + ttl, result });
+    }
+  }
+  return result;
 }

src/plugins/loader.test.ts

@@ -211,14 +211,19 @@ function createEscapingEntryFixture(params: { id: string; sourceBody: string })
   return { pluginDir, outsideEntry, linkedEntry };
 }
 
-function createPluginSdkAliasFixture() {
+function createPluginSdkAliasFixture(params?: {
+  srcFile?: string;
+  distFile?: string;
+  srcBody?: string;
+  distBody?: string;
+}) {
   const root = makeTempDir();
-  const srcFile = path.join(root, "src", "plugin-sdk", "index.ts");
+  const srcFile = path.join(root, "src", "plugin-sdk", params?.srcFile ?? "index.ts");
-  const distFile = path.join(root, "dist", "plugin-sdk", "index.js");
+  const distFile = path.join(root, "dist", "plugin-sdk", params?.distFile ?? "index.js");
   fs.mkdirSync(path.dirname(srcFile), { recursive: true });
   fs.mkdirSync(path.dirname(distFile), { recursive: true });
-  fs.writeFileSync(srcFile, "export {};\n", "utf-8");
+  fs.writeFileSync(srcFile, params?.srcBody ?? "export {};\n", "utf-8");
-  fs.writeFileSync(distFile, "export {};\n", "utf-8");
+  fs.writeFileSync(distFile, params?.distBody ?? "export {};\n", "utf-8");
   return { root, srcFile, distFile };
 }
 
@@ -707,6 +712,73 @@ describe("loadOpenClawPlugins", () => {
     expect(a?.status).toBe("disabled");
   });
 
+  it("skips importing bundled memory plugins that are disabled by memory slot", () => {
+    const bundledDir = makeTempDir();
+    const memoryADir = path.join(bundledDir, "memory-a");
+    const memoryBDir = path.join(bundledDir, "memory-b");
+    fs.mkdirSync(memoryADir, { recursive: true });
+    fs.mkdirSync(memoryBDir, { recursive: true });
+    writePlugin({
+      id: "memory-a",
+      dir: memoryADir,
+      filename: "index.cjs",
+      body: `throw new Error("memory-a should not be imported when slot selects memory-b");`,
+    });
+    writePlugin({
+      id: "memory-b",
+      dir: memoryBDir,
+      filename: "index.cjs",
+      body: `module.exports = { id: "memory-b", kind: "memory", register() {} };`,
+    });
+    fs.writeFileSync(
+      path.join(memoryADir, "openclaw.plugin.json"),
+      JSON.stringify(
+        {
+          id: "memory-a",
+          kind: "memory",
+          configSchema: EMPTY_PLUGIN_SCHEMA,
+        },
+        null,
+        2,
+      ),
+      "utf-8",
+    );
+    fs.writeFileSync(
+      path.join(memoryBDir, "openclaw.plugin.json"),
+      JSON.stringify(
+        {
+          id: "memory-b",
+          kind: "memory",
+          configSchema: EMPTY_PLUGIN_SCHEMA,
+        },
+        null,
+        2,
+      ),
+      "utf-8",
+    );
+    process.env.OPENCLAW_BUNDLED_PLUGINS_DIR = bundledDir;
+
+    const registry = loadOpenClawPlugins({
+      cache: false,
+      config: {
+        plugins: {
+          allow: ["memory-a", "memory-b"],
+          slots: { memory: "memory-b" },
+          entries: {
+            "memory-a": { enabled: true },
+            "memory-b": { enabled: true },
+          },
+        },
+      },
+    });
+
+    const a = registry.plugins.find((entry) => entry.id === "memory-a");
+    const b = registry.plugins.find((entry) => entry.id === "memory-b");
+    expect(a?.status).toBe("disabled");
+    expect(String(a?.error ?? "")).toContain('memory slot set to "memory-b"');
+    expect(b?.status).toBe("loaded");
+  });
+
   it("disables memory plugins when slot is none", () => {
     process.env.OPENCLAW_BUNDLED_PLUGINS_DIR = "/nonexistent/bundled/plugins";
     const memory = writePlugin({
@@ -1051,4 +1123,38 @@ describe("loadOpenClawPlugins", () => {
     );
     expect(resolved).toBe(srcFile);
   });
+
+  it("prefers dist root-alias shim when loader runs from dist", () => {
+    const { root, distFile } = createPluginSdkAliasFixture({
+      srcFile: "root-alias.cjs",
+      distFile: "root-alias.cjs",
+      srcBody: "module.exports = {};\n",
+      distBody: "module.exports = {};\n",
+    });
+
+    const resolved = __testing.resolvePluginSdkAliasFile({
+      srcFile: "root-alias.cjs",
+      distFile: "root-alias.cjs",
+      modulePath: path.join(root, "dist", "plugins", "loader.js"),
+    });
+    expect(resolved).toBe(distFile);
+  });
+
+  it("prefers src root-alias shim when loader runs from src in non-production", () => {
+    const { root, srcFile } = createPluginSdkAliasFixture({
+      srcFile: "root-alias.cjs",
+      distFile: "root-alias.cjs",
+      srcBody: "module.exports = {};\n",
+      distBody: "module.exports = {};\n",
+    });
+
+    const resolved = withEnv({ NODE_ENV: undefined }, () =>
+      __testing.resolvePluginSdkAliasFile({
+        srcFile: "root-alias.cjs",
+        distFile: "root-alias.cjs",
+        modulePath: path.join(root, "src", "plugins", "loader.ts"),
+      }),
+    );
+    expect(resolved).toBe(srcFile);
+  });
 });

src/plugins/loader.ts

@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ const resolvePluginSdkAliasFile = (params: {
 };
 
 const resolvePluginSdkAlias = (): string | null =>
-  resolvePluginSdkAliasFile({ srcFile: "index.ts", distFile: "index.js" });
+  resolvePluginSdkAliasFile({ srcFile: "root-alias.cjs", distFile: "root-alias.cjs" });
 
 const resolvePluginSdkAccountIdAlias = (): string | null => {
   return resolvePluginSdkAliasFile({ srcFile: "account-id.ts", distFile: "account-id.js" });
@@ -96,6 +96,10 @@ const resolvePluginSdkCoreAlias = (): string | null => {
   return resolvePluginSdkAliasFile({ srcFile: "core.ts", distFile: "core.js" });
 };
 
+const resolvePluginSdkCompatAlias = (): string | null => {
+  return resolvePluginSdkAliasFile({ srcFile: "compat.ts", distFile: "compat.js" });
+};
+
 const resolvePluginSdkTelegramAlias = (): string | null => {
   return resolvePluginSdkAliasFile({ srcFile: "telegram.ts", distFile: "telegram.js" });
 };
@@ -468,6 +472,7 @@ export function loadOpenClawPlugins(options: PluginLoadOptions = {}): PluginRegi
   const discovery = discoverOpenClawPlugins({
     workspaceDir: options.workspaceDir,
     extraPaths: normalized.loadPaths,
+    cache: options.cache,
   });
   const manifestRegistry = loadPluginManifestRegistry({
     config: cfg,
@@ -501,6 +506,7 @@ export function loadOpenClawPlugins(options: PluginLoadOptions = {}): PluginRegi
     const pluginSdkAlias = resolvePluginSdkAlias();
     const pluginSdkAccountIdAlias = resolvePluginSdkAccountIdAlias();
     const pluginSdkCoreAlias = resolvePluginSdkCoreAlias();
+    const pluginSdkCompatAlias = resolvePluginSdkCompatAlias();
     const pluginSdkTelegramAlias = resolvePluginSdkTelegramAlias();
     const pluginSdkDiscordAlias = resolvePluginSdkDiscordAlias();
     const pluginSdkSlackAlias = resolvePluginSdkSlackAlias();
@@ -511,6 +517,7 @@ export function loadOpenClawPlugins(options: PluginLoadOptions = {}): PluginRegi
     const aliasMap = {
       ...(pluginSdkAlias ? { "openclaw/plugin-sdk": pluginSdkAlias } : {}),
       ...(pluginSdkCoreAlias ? { "openclaw/plugin-sdk/core": pluginSdkCoreAlias } : {}),
+      ...(pluginSdkCompatAlias ? { "openclaw/plugin-sdk/compat": pluginSdkCompatAlias } : {}),
       ...(pluginSdkTelegramAlias ? { "openclaw/plugin-sdk/telegram": pluginSdkTelegramAlias } : {}),
       ...(pluginSdkDiscordAlias ? { "openclaw/plugin-sdk/discord": pluginSdkDiscordAlias } : {}),
       ...(pluginSdkSlackAlias ? { "openclaw/plugin-sdk/slack": pluginSdkSlackAlias } : {}),
@@ -610,6 +617,25 @@ export function loadOpenClawPlugins(options: PluginLoadOptions = {}): PluginRegi
       continue;
     }
 
+    // Fast-path bundled memory plugins that are guaranteed disabled by slot policy.
+    // This avoids opening/importing heavy memory plugin modules that will never register.
+    if (candidate.origin === "bundled" && manifestRecord.kind === "memory") {
+      const earlyMemoryDecision = resolveMemorySlotDecision({
+        id: record.id,
+        kind: "memory",
+        slot: memorySlot,
+        selectedId: selectedMemoryPluginId,
+      });
+      if (!earlyMemoryDecision.enabled) {
+        record.enabled = false;
+        record.status = "disabled";
+        record.error = earlyMemoryDecision.reason;
+        registry.plugins.push(record);
+        seenIds.set(pluginId, candidate.origin);
+        continue;
+      }
+    }
+
     if (!manifestRecord.configSchema) {
       pushPluginLoadError("missing config schema");
       continue;

src/plugins/manifest-registry.ts

@@ -46,7 +46,8 @@ export type PluginManifestRegistry = {
 
 const registryCache = new Map<string, { expiresAt: number; registry: PluginManifestRegistry }>();
 
-const DEFAULT_MANIFEST_CACHE_MS = 200;
+// Keep a short cache window to collapse bursty reloads during startup flows.
+const DEFAULT_MANIFEST_CACHE_MS = 1000;
 
 export function clearPluginManifestRegistryCache(): void {
   registryCache.clear();

tsconfig.plugin-sdk.dts.json

@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@
   "include": [
     "src/plugin-sdk/index.ts",
     "src/plugin-sdk/core.ts",
+    "src/plugin-sdk/compat.ts",
     "src/plugin-sdk/telegram.ts",
     "src/plugin-sdk/discord.ts",
     "src/plugin-sdk/slack.ts",

tsdown.config.ts

@@ -62,6 +62,13 @@ export default defineConfig([
     fixedExtension: false,
     platform: "node",
   },
+  {
+    entry: "src/plugin-sdk/compat.ts",
+    outDir: "dist/plugin-sdk",
+    env,
+    fixedExtension: false,
+    platform: "node",
+  },
   {
     entry: "src/plugin-sdk/telegram.ts",
     outDir: "dist/plugin-sdk",

vitest.config.ts

@@ -21,6 +21,10 @@ export default defineConfig({
         find: "openclaw/plugin-sdk/core",
         replacement: path.join(repoRoot, "src", "plugin-sdk", "core.ts"),
       },
+      {
+        find: "openclaw/plugin-sdk/compat",
+        replacement: path.join(repoRoot, "src", "plugin-sdk", "compat.ts"),
+      },
       {
         find: "openclaw/plugin-sdk/telegram",
         replacement: path.join(repoRoot, "src", "plugin-sdk", "telegram.ts"),