When fallback behavior gets confusing, the fix is to inspect the active chain directly. OpenClaw exposes that chain through both the fallbacks list command and the richer status view.
Quick answer
Run openclaw models fallbacks list for the short answer and openclaw models status for the full resolved model state.
Command line steps
1. List just the fallback chain
This is the fastest way to answer 'what are my backup models right now?'
BASH
$openclaw models fallbacks list
2. Inspect the full model resolver
Status shows the primary, the fallbacks, and whether auth is missing for any configured provider.
BASH
$openclaw models status
3. Probe if you suspect stale auth
A fallback is only useful if the provider behind it is still reachable.
BASH
$openclaw models status --probe
What to check if it still fails
- If the fallback list is empty, you do not have backups configured yet. Add them with
openclaw models fallbacks add <provider/model>. - If probe reports missing auth, fix the provider credentials before you trust the fallback chain.
- If a model was selected in chat but is not in the allowlist,
/model statusandopenclaw models statuswill disagree until you fix the config.