openclaw/docs/reference/templates/HEARTBEAT.md

---
summary: "Workspace template for HEARTBEAT.md"
read_when:
  - Bootstrapping a workspace manually
---
# HEARTBEAT.md

# Keep this file empty (or with only comments) to skip heartbeat API calls.
# Add tasks below when you want the agent to check something periodically.
feat: update heartbeat defaults 2026-01-06 21:54:19 +00:00			`---`
			`summary: "Workspace template for HEARTBEAT.md"`
			`read_when:`
			`- Bootstrapping a workspace manually`
			`---`
			`# HEARTBEAT.md`

feat(heartbeat): skip API calls when HEARTBEAT.md is effectively empty (#1535) * feat: skip heartbeat API calls when HEARTBEAT.md is effectively empty - Added isHeartbeatContentEffectivelyEmpty() to detect files with only headers/comments - Modified runHeartbeatOnce() to check HEARTBEAT.md content before polling the LLM - Returns early with 'empty-heartbeat-file' reason when no actionable tasks exist - Preserves existing behavior when file is missing (lets LLM decide) - Added comprehensive test coverage for empty file detection - Saves API calls/costs when heartbeat file has no meaningful content * chore: update HEARTBEAT.md template to be effectively empty by default Changed instruction text to comment format so new workspaces benefit from heartbeat optimization immediately. Users still get clear guidance on usage. * fix: only treat markdown headers (# followed by space) as comments, not #TODO etc * refactor: simplify regex per code review suggestion * docs: clarify heartbeat empty file behavior (#1535) (thanks @JustYannicc) --------- Co-authored-by: Peter Steinberger <steipete@gmail.com> 2026-01-24 04:19:01 +00:00			`# Keep this file empty (or with only comments) to skip heartbeat API calls.`
			`# Add tasks below when you want the agent to check something periodically.`