A sophisticated framework for AI agents to deliver genuine, calibrated emotional intelligence through Chain of Empathy reasoning.
Install & Download
1. ClawHub CLI
The fastest way to install a skill directly from the registry.
npx clawhub@latest install empathy
2. Manual Installation
Copy the skill folder to one of these locations
~/.openclaw/skills/ <project>/skills/ Priority: Workspace > Local > Bundled
3. Prompt Installation
Copy this prompt to OpenClaw to install it automatically.
Help me install empathy using Clawhub. If Clawhub is not installed, install it first (npm i -g clawhub).
Prefer to download?
Get the raw skill files in a ZIP archive.
What is Empathy?
The Empathy skill provides a robust architectural framework for AI agents to move beyond empathy theater. By utilizing a Chain of Empathy (CoE) core loop, the skill enables agents to simulate user states, identify unspoken needs, and calibrate responses based on emotional intensity. This ensures that interactions feel authentic and contextually aware rather than repetitive or formulaic. Integrating this with Openclaw Skills allows developers to build agents that truly resonate with human users by avoiding robotic clichés and focusing on specific situational details.
Empathy Use Cases
- Handling high-distress user feedback where standard responses feel cold or dismissive.
- Guiding users through complex problem-solving while acknowledging their frustration effectively.
- Supporting users during quiet grief or reflective processing without overstepping or amplifying the distress.
- Repairing communication breakdowns naturally when an agent initially misses the mark in a conversation.
How Empathy Works
- Simulate the user's emotional state internally to model the logic behind their words.
- Identify the subtext to determine what the user needs but hasn't explicitly asked for.
- Find a specific, concrete detail from the user's message to anchor the agent's response.
- Calibrate the intensity of the response to match the user's energy level without amplifying or minimizing it.
- Select the appropriate response type, determining if the user needs validation, solutions, or simply to be heard.
Empathy Setup
To integrate the Empathy skill into your agent framework using Openclaw Skills, ensure the skill files are correctly indexed in your project structure.
# Initialize the skill directory
mkdir -p skills/empathy
# Ensure the core skill definitions are available to the agent
# This includes the primary SKILL.md and supporting reference files
Configure your agent system instructions to invoke the Chain of Empathy (CoE) internal reasoning loop before every response containing emotional weight.
Empathy Data Schema & Taxonomy
The Empathy skill organizes its logic and reference material into several focused markdown files for granular control:
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
SKILL.md |
Defines the core CoE loop and non-negotiable anti-pattern rules. |
techniques.md |
Contains specific prompting patterns and technical CoE variants. |
safeguards.md |
Outlines ethical boundaries, transparency, and self-other distinction. |
contexts.md |
Provides integration logic for support, coaching, or therapy environments. |
feedback.md |
Tracks what works for continuous self-improvement of the agent. |
Empathy Advanced Features
- Multi-stage calibration for varying emotional states including quiet grief and high-distress scenarios.
- Repair After Rupture protocols that allow the agent to acknowledge and course-correct after a conversational disconnect.
- Pattern-match avoidance systems that strictly prohibit the use of clichéd empathy theater phrases.
- Contextual integration support for specialized environments like coaching or technical support via Openclaw Skills.
SKILL.md
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