fix(heartbeat): default target none and internalize relay prompts

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@ Docs: https://docs.openclaw.ai
 - Routing/Session isolation: harden followup routing so explicit cross-channel origin replies never fall back to the active dispatcher on route failure, preserve queued overflow summary routing metadata (`channel`/`to`/`thread`) across followup drain, and prefer originating channel context over internal provider tags for embedded followup runs. This prevents webchat/control-ui context from hijacking Discord-targeted replies in shared sessions. (#25864) Thanks @Gamedesigner.
 - Messaging tool dedupe: treat originating channel metadata as authoritative for same-target `message.send` suppression in proactive runs (heartbeat/cron/exec-event), including synthetic-provider contexts, so `delivery-mirror` transcript entries no longer cause duplicate Telegram sends. (#25835) Thanks @jadeathena84-arch.
 - Cron/Heartbeat delivery: stop inheriting cached session `lastThreadId` for heartbeat-mode target resolution unless a thread/topic is explicitly requested, so announce-mode cron and heartbeat deliveries stay on top-level destinations instead of leaking into active conversation threads. (#25730) Thanks @markshields-tl.
+- Heartbeat defaults/prompts: switch the implicit heartbeat delivery target from `last` to `none` (opt-in for external delivery), and use internal-only cron/exec heartbeat prompt wording when delivery is disabled so background checks do not nudge user-facing relay behavior. (#25871, #24638, #25851)
 - Security/Sandbox media: restrict sandbox media tmp-path allowances to OpenClaw-managed tmp roots instead of broad host `os.tmpdir()` trust, and add outbound/channel guardrails (tmp-path lint + media-root smoke tests) to prevent regressions in local media attachment reads. Thanks @tdjackey for reporting.
 - Config/Plugins: treat stale removed `google-antigravity-auth` plugin references as compatibility warnings (not hard validation errors) across `plugins.entries`, `plugins.allow`, `plugins.deny`, and `plugins.slots.memory`, so startup no longer fails after antigravity removal. (#25538, #25862) Thanks @chilu18.
 - Security/Message actions: enforce local media root checks for `sendAttachment` and `setGroupIcon` when `sandboxRoot` is unset, preventing attachment hydration from reading arbitrary host files via local absolute paths. Thanks @GCXWLP for reporting.

docs/automation/cron-vs-heartbeat.md

@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ The agent reads this on each heartbeat and handles all items in one turn.
     defaults: {
       heartbeat: {
         every: "30m", // interval
-        target: "last", // where to deliver alerts
+        target: "last", // explicit alert delivery target (default is "none")
         activeHours: { start: "08:00", end: "22:00" }, // optional
       },
     },

docs/gateway/configuration-reference.md

@@ -800,7 +800,7 @@ Periodic heartbeat runs.
         includeReasoning: false,
         session: "main",
         to: "+15555550123",
-        target: "last", // last | whatsapp | telegram | discord | ... | none
+        target: "none", // default: none | options: last | whatsapp | telegram | discord | ...
         prompt: "Read HEARTBEAT.md if it exists...",
         ackMaxChars: 300,
         suppressToolErrorWarnings: false,

docs/gateway/heartbeat.md

@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ Troubleshooting: [/automation/troubleshooting](/automation/troubleshooting)
 
 1. Leave heartbeats enabled (default is `30m`, or `1h` for Anthropic OAuth/setup-token) or set your own cadence.
 2. Create a tiny `HEARTBEAT.md` checklist in the agent workspace (optional but recommended).
-3. Decide where heartbeat messages should go (`target: "last"` is the default).
+3. Decide where heartbeat messages should go (`target: "none"` is the default; set `target: "last"` to route to the last contact).
 4. Optional: enable heartbeat reasoning delivery for transparency.
 5. Optional: restrict heartbeats to active hours (local time).
 
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ Example config:
     defaults: {
       heartbeat: {
         every: "30m",
-        target: "last",
+        target: "last", // explicit delivery to last contact (default is "none")
         // activeHours: { start: "08:00", end: "24:00" },
         // includeReasoning: true, // optional: send separate `Reasoning:` message too
       },
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ and logged; a message that is only `HEARTBEAT_OK` is dropped.
         every: "30m", // default: 30m (0m disables)
         model: "anthropic/claude-opus-4-6",
         includeReasoning: false, // default: false (deliver separate Reasoning: message when available)
-        target: "last", // last | none | <channel id> (core or plugin, e.g. "bluebubbles")
+        target: "last", // default: none | options: last | none | <channel id> (core or plugin, e.g. "bluebubbles")
         to: "+15551234567", // optional channel-specific override
         accountId: "ops-bot", // optional multi-account channel id
         prompt: "Read HEARTBEAT.md if it exists (workspace context). Follow it strictly. Do not infer or repeat old tasks from prior chats. If nothing needs attention, reply HEARTBEAT_OK.",
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ Example: two agents, only the second agent runs heartbeats.
     defaults: {
       heartbeat: {
         every: "30m",
-        target: "last",
+        target: "last", // explicit delivery to last contact (default is "none")
       },
     },
     list: [
@@ -149,7 +149,7 @@ Restrict heartbeats to business hours in a specific timezone:
     defaults: {
       heartbeat: {
         every: "30m",
-        target: "last",
+        target: "last", // explicit delivery to last contact (default is "none")
         activeHours: {
           start: "09:00",
           end: "22:00",
@@ -212,9 +212,9 @@ Use `accountId` to target a specific account on multi-account channels like Tele
   - Explicit session key (copy from `openclaw sessions --json` or the [sessions CLI](/cli/sessions)).
   - Session key formats: see [Sessions](/concepts/session) and [Groups](/channels/groups).
 - `target`:
-  - `last` (default): deliver to the last used external channel.
+  - `last`: deliver to the last used external channel.
   - explicit channel: `whatsapp` / `telegram` / `discord` / `googlechat` / `slack` / `msteams` / `signal` / `imessage`.
-  - `none`: run the heartbeat but **do not deliver** externally.
+  - `none` (default): run the heartbeat but **do not deliver** externally.
 - `to`: optional recipient override (channel-specific id, e.g. E.164 for WhatsApp or a Telegram chat id). For Telegram topics/threads, use `<chatId>:topic:<messageThreadId>`.
 - `accountId`: optional account id for multi-account channels. When `target: "last"`, the account id applies to the resolved last channel if it supports accounts; otherwise it is ignored. If the account id does not match a configured account for the resolved channel, delivery is skipped.
 - `prompt`: overrides the default prompt body (not merged).

src/infra/heartbeat-events-filter.test.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+import { describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
+import { buildCronEventPrompt, buildExecEventPrompt } from "./heartbeat-events-filter.js";
+
+describe("heartbeat event prompts", () => {
+  it("builds user-relay cron prompt by default", () => {
+    const prompt = buildCronEventPrompt(["Cron: rotate logs"]);
+    expect(prompt).toContain("Please relay this reminder to the user");
+  });
+
+  it("builds internal-only cron prompt when delivery is disabled", () => {
+    const prompt = buildCronEventPrompt(["Cron: rotate logs"], { deliverToUser: false });
+    expect(prompt).toContain("Handle this reminder internally");
+    expect(prompt).not.toContain("Please relay this reminder to the user");
+  });
+
+  it("builds internal-only exec prompt when delivery is disabled", () => {
+    const prompt = buildExecEventPrompt({ deliverToUser: false });
+    expect(prompt).toContain("Handle the result internally");
+    expect(prompt).not.toContain("Please relay the command output to the user");
+  });
+});

src/infra/heartbeat-events-filter.ts

@@ -3,14 +3,33 @@ import { HEARTBEAT_TOKEN } from "../auto-reply/tokens.js";
 // Build a dynamic prompt for cron events by embedding the actual event content.
 // This ensures the model sees the reminder text directly instead of relying on
 // "shown in the system messages above" which may not be visible in context.
-export function buildCronEventPrompt(pendingEvents: string[]): string {
+export function buildCronEventPrompt(
+  pendingEvents: string[],
+  opts?: {
+    deliverToUser?: boolean;
+  },
+): string {
+  const deliverToUser = opts?.deliverToUser ?? true;
   const eventText = pendingEvents.join("\n").trim();
   if (!eventText) {
+    if (!deliverToUser) {
+      return (
+        "A scheduled cron event was triggered, but no event content was found. " +
+        "Handle this internally and reply HEARTBEAT_OK when nothing needs user-facing follow-up."
+      );
+    }
     return (
       "A scheduled cron event was triggered, but no event content was found. " +
       "Reply HEARTBEAT_OK."
     );
   }
+  if (!deliverToUser) {
+    return (
+      "A scheduled reminder has been triggered. The reminder content is:\n\n" +
+      eventText +
+      "\n\nHandle this reminder internally. Do not relay it to the user unless explicitly requested."
+    );
+  }
   return (
     "A scheduled reminder has been triggered. The reminder content is:\n\n" +
     eventText +
@@ -18,6 +37,21 @@ export function buildCronEventPrompt(pendingEvents: string[]): string {
   );
 }
 
+export function buildExecEventPrompt(opts?: { deliverToUser?: boolean }): string {
+  const deliverToUser = opts?.deliverToUser ?? true;
+  if (!deliverToUser) {
+    return (
+      "An async command you ran earlier has completed. The result is shown in the system messages above. " +
+      "Handle the result internally. Do not relay it to the user unless explicitly requested."
+    );
+  }
+  return (
+    "An async command you ran earlier has completed. The result is shown in the system messages above. " +
+    "Please relay the command output to the user in a helpful way. If the command succeeded, share the relevant output. " +
+    "If it failed, explain what went wrong."
+  );
+}
+
 const HEARTBEAT_OK_PREFIX = HEARTBEAT_TOKEN.toLowerCase();
 
 // Detect heartbeat-specific noise so cron reminders don't trigger on non-reminder events.

src/infra/heartbeat-runner.returns-default-unset.test.ts

@@ -239,12 +239,12 @@ describe("resolveHeartbeatDeliveryTarget", () => {
         },
       },
       {
-        name: "use last route by default",
+        name: "target defaults to none when unset",
         cfg: {},
         entry: { ...baseEntry, lastChannel: "whatsapp", lastTo: "+1555" },
         expected: {
-          channel: "whatsapp",
-          to: "+1555",
+          channel: "none",
+          reason: "target-none",
           accountId: undefined,
           lastChannel: "whatsapp",
           lastAccountId: undefined,
@@ -271,7 +271,7 @@ describe("resolveHeartbeatDeliveryTarget", () => {
         entry: { ...baseEntry, lastChannel: "webchat", lastTo: "web" },
         expected: {
           channel: "none",
-          reason: "no-target",
+          reason: "target-none",
           accountId: undefined,
           lastChannel: undefined,
           lastAccountId: undefined,
@@ -294,7 +294,10 @@ describe("resolveHeartbeatDeliveryTarget", () => {
       },
       {
         name: "normalize prefixed whatsapp group targets",
-        cfg: { channels: { whatsapp: { allowFrom: ["+1555"] } } },
+        cfg: {
+          agents: { defaults: { heartbeat: { target: "last" } } },
+          channels: { whatsapp: { allowFrom: ["+1555"] } },
+        },
         entry: {
           ...baseEntry,
           lastChannel: "whatsapp",
@@ -927,7 +930,7 @@ describe("runHeartbeatOnce", () => {
     try {
       const cfg: OpenClawConfig = {
         agents: {
-          defaults: { workspace: tmpDir, heartbeat: { every: "5m" } },
+          defaults: { workspace: tmpDir, heartbeat: { every: "5m", target: "whatsapp" } },
           list: [{ id: "work", default: true }],
         },
         channels: { whatsapp: { allowFrom: ["*"] } },
@@ -1148,4 +1151,110 @@ describe("runHeartbeatOnce", () => {
       }
     }
   });
+
+  it("uses an internal-only cron prompt when heartbeat delivery target is none", async () => {
+    const tmpDir = await createCaseDir("hb-cron-target-none");
+    const storePath = path.join(tmpDir, "sessions.json");
+    const cfg: OpenClawConfig = {
+      agents: {
+        defaults: {
+          workspace: tmpDir,
+          heartbeat: { every: "5m", target: "none" },
+        },
+      },
+      channels: { whatsapp: { allowFrom: ["*"] } },
+      session: { store: storePath },
+    };
+    const sessionKey = resolveMainSessionKey(cfg);
+    await fs.writeFile(
+      storePath,
+      JSON.stringify({
+        [sessionKey]: {
+          sessionId: "sid",
+          updatedAt: Date.now(),
+          lastChannel: "whatsapp",
+          lastTo: "+1555",
+        },
+      }),
+    );
+    enqueueSystemEvent("Cron: rotate logs", {
+      sessionKey,
+      contextKey: "cron:rotate-logs",
+    });
+
+    const replySpy = vi.spyOn(replyModule, "getReplyFromConfig");
+    replySpy.mockResolvedValue({ text: "Handled internally" });
+    const sendWhatsApp = vi
+      .fn<NonNullable<HeartbeatDeps["sendWhatsApp"]>>()
+      .mockResolvedValue({ messageId: "m1", toJid: "jid" });
+
+    try {
+      const res = await runHeartbeatOnce({
+        cfg,
+        reason: "interval",
+        deps: createHeartbeatDeps(sendWhatsApp),
+      });
+      expect(res.status).toBe("ran");
+      expect(sendWhatsApp).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(0);
+      const calledCtx = replySpy.mock.calls[0]?.[0] as { Provider?: string; Body?: string };
+      expect(calledCtx.Provider).toBe("cron-event");
+      expect(calledCtx.Body).toContain("Handle this reminder internally");
+      expect(calledCtx.Body).not.toContain("Please relay this reminder to the user");
+    } finally {
+      replySpy.mockRestore();
+    }
+  });
+
+  it("uses an internal-only exec prompt when heartbeat delivery target is none", async () => {
+    const tmpDir = await createCaseDir("hb-exec-target-none");
+    const storePath = path.join(tmpDir, "sessions.json");
+    const cfg: OpenClawConfig = {
+      agents: {
+        defaults: {
+          workspace: tmpDir,
+          heartbeat: { every: "5m", target: "none" },
+        },
+      },
+      channels: { whatsapp: { allowFrom: ["*"] } },
+      session: { store: storePath },
+    };
+    const sessionKey = resolveMainSessionKey(cfg);
+    await fs.writeFile(
+      storePath,
+      JSON.stringify({
+        [sessionKey]: {
+          sessionId: "sid",
+          updatedAt: Date.now(),
+          lastChannel: "whatsapp",
+          lastTo: "+1555",
+        },
+      }),
+    );
+    enqueueSystemEvent("exec finished: backup completed", {
+      sessionKey,
+      contextKey: "exec:backup",
+    });
+
+    const replySpy = vi.spyOn(replyModule, "getReplyFromConfig");
+    replySpy.mockResolvedValue({ text: "Handled internally" });
+    const sendWhatsApp = vi
+      .fn<NonNullable<HeartbeatDeps["sendWhatsApp"]>>()
+      .mockResolvedValue({ messageId: "m1", toJid: "jid" });
+
+    try {
+      const res = await runHeartbeatOnce({
+        cfg,
+        reason: "exec-event",
+        deps: createHeartbeatDeps(sendWhatsApp),
+      });
+      expect(res.status).toBe("ran");
+      expect(sendWhatsApp).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(0);
+      const calledCtx = replySpy.mock.calls[0]?.[0] as { Provider?: string; Body?: string };
+      expect(calledCtx.Provider).toBe("exec-event");
+      expect(calledCtx.Body).toContain("Handle the result internally");
+      expect(calledCtx.Body).not.toContain("Please relay the command output to the user");
+    } finally {
+      replySpy.mockRestore();
+    }
+  });
 });

src/infra/heartbeat-runner.ts

@@ -44,6 +44,7 @@ import { escapeRegExp } from "../utils.js";
 import { formatErrorMessage, hasErrnoCode } from "./errors.js";
 import { isWithinActiveHours } from "./heartbeat-active-hours.js";
 import {
+  buildExecEventPrompt,
   buildCronEventPrompt,
   isCronSystemEvent,
   isExecCompletionEvent,
@@ -95,15 +96,7 @@ export type HeartbeatSummary = {
   ackMaxChars: number;
 };
 
-const DEFAULT_HEARTBEAT_TARGET = "last";
-
-// Prompt used when an async exec has completed and the result should be relayed to the user.
-// This overrides the standard heartbeat prompt to ensure the model responds with the exec result
-// instead of just "HEARTBEAT_OK".
-const EXEC_EVENT_PROMPT =
-  "An async command you ran earlier has completed. The result is shown in the system messages above. " +
-  "Please relay the command output to the user in a helpful way. If the command succeeded, share the relevant output. " +
-  "If it failed, explain what went wrong.";
+const DEFAULT_HEARTBEAT_TARGET = "none";
 export { isCronSystemEvent };
 
 type HeartbeatAgentState = {
@@ -615,12 +608,12 @@ export async function runHeartbeatOnce(opts: {
   if (delivery.reason === "unknown-account") {
     log.warn("heartbeat: unknown accountId", {
       accountId: delivery.accountId ?? heartbeatAccountId ?? null,
-      target: heartbeat?.target ?? "last",
+      target: heartbeat?.target ?? "none",
     });
   } else if (heartbeatAccountId) {
     log.info("heartbeat: using explicit accountId", {
       accountId: delivery.accountId ?? heartbeatAccountId,
-      target: heartbeat?.target ?? "last",
+      target: heartbeat?.target ?? "none",
       channel: delivery.channel,
     });
   }
@@ -654,10 +647,13 @@ export async function runHeartbeatOnce(opts: {
     .map((event) => event.text);
   const hasExecCompletion = pendingEvents.some(isExecCompletionEvent);
   const hasCronEvents = cronEvents.length > 0;
+  const canRelayToUser = Boolean(
+    delivery.channel !== "none" && delivery.to && visibility.showAlerts,
+  );
   const prompt = hasExecCompletion
-    ? EXEC_EVENT_PROMPT
+    ? buildExecEventPrompt({ deliverToUser: canRelayToUser })
     : hasCronEvents
-      ? buildCronEventPrompt(cronEvents)
+      ? buildCronEventPrompt(cronEvents, { deliverToUser: canRelayToUser })
       : resolveHeartbeatPrompt(cfg, heartbeat);
   const ctx = {
     Body: appendCronStyleCurrentTimeLine(prompt, cfg, startedAt),

src/infra/outbound/targets.ts

@@ -210,7 +210,7 @@ export function resolveHeartbeatDeliveryTarget(params: {
   const { cfg, entry } = params;
   const heartbeat = params.heartbeat ?? cfg.agents?.defaults?.heartbeat;
   const rawTarget = heartbeat?.target;
-  let target: HeartbeatTarget = "last";
+  let target: HeartbeatTarget = "none";
   if (rawTarget === "none" || rawTarget === "last") {
     target = rawTarget;
   } else if (typeof rawTarget === "string") {