OpenClaw v2026.3.13 Adds Local Backup Commands and Chrome DevTools MCP Browser Mode
What Happened
OpenClaw v2026.3.13 shipped on March 15, 2026, bringing several notable features to the rapidly growing open-source AI agent platform. The headline additions are a new local backup system and official Chrome DevTools MCP integration for browser automation.
The backup feature introduces openclaw backup create and openclaw backup verify CLI commands, supporting flags like --only-config and --no-include-workspace to give operators granular control over what gets archived. The release also integrates backup guidance into destructive flows, nudging users to create snapshots before risky operations.
On the browser automation front, v2026.3.13 adds an official Chrome DevTools MCP attach mode that lets agents connect to signed-in Chrome sessions rather than relying on headless browser profiles. This means agents can interact with authenticated web services using the user's existing browser state. The release also adds built-in browser profiles — user for the logged-in host browser and chrome-relay for extension-based relay.
Additional changes include a redesigned Android chat settings sheet with grouped device and media sections, a new iOS onboarding welcome pager, a timezone configuration option via OPENCLAW_TZ for Docker deployments, and fixes for gateway RPC timeout leaks that caused stalled connections to accumulate indefinitely.
Why It Matters
The backup feature fills a critical operational gap. As enterprises adopt OpenClaw, the ability to snapshot and verify local state becomes essential for disaster recovery and compliance workflows. Previously, users had to rely on ad-hoc file copies with no integrity verification.
The Chrome DevTools MCP integration is strategically significant because it transforms OpenClaw's browser capabilities from synthetic headless interactions to real authenticated sessions, dramatically expanding what browser-based agent workflows can accomplish.
What's Next
With the backup infrastructure in place, expect future releases to add scheduled automated backups and remote backup targets. The Chrome DevTools MCP mode will likely see expanded capabilities as the browser automation ecosystem around OpenClaw matures.