Why are OpenClaw sub-agent sessions broken?

A circular dependency blocks persistent sub-agent sessions: mode=session requires thread=true, but thread binding requires channel plugin hooks that are not registered on most channels.

Which OpenClaw channels are affected by the sessions_spawn bug?

All channels except Discord are affected. Telegram, Slack, WhatsApp, and Matrix cannot spawn persistent sub-agent sessions due to missing subagent_spawning hooks.

What is the OpenClaw pairing required 1008 error?

WebSocket error 1008 occurs when sessions_spawn attempts to create a sub-agent but the gateway rejects the connection as an unauthorized device requesting scope escalation.

Is there a workaround for OpenClaw sub-agent orchestration?

Users can use mode=run for one-shot sub-agent tasks instead of persistent sessions. For full multi-agent orchestration, Discord is currently the only channel with working thread binding.

When will the OpenClaw sub-agent deadlock be fixed?

The bug spans issues #67400, #66336, and #59428 across multiple versions. No official fix timeline has been announced as of April 2026.

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OpenClaw Sub-Agent Orchestration Broken: sessions_spawn Deadlocks With Pairing Required (1008) Across All Non-Discord Channels

Circular dependency between thread binding and channel hooks blocks persistent multi-agent workflows on Telegram, Slack, WhatsApp. Thread=true requires hooks, hooks require thread=true creating an unresolvable deadlock in session orchestration.

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