fix: silence unused hook token url param (#9436)

* fix: Gateway authentication token exposed in URL query parameters

* fix: silence unused hook token url param

* fix: remove gateway auth tokens from URLs (#9436) (thanks @coygeek)

* test: fix Windows path separators in audit test (#9436)

---------

Co-authored-by: George Pickett <gpickett00@gmail.com>

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@ Docs: https://docs.openclaw.ai
 - Exec approvals: coerce bare string allowlist entries to objects to prevent allowlist corruption. (#9903, fixes #9790) Thanks @mcaxtr.
 - Heartbeat: allow explicit accountId routing for multi-account channels. (#8702) Thanks @lsh411.
 - TUI/Gateway: handle non-streaming finals, refresh history for non-local chat runs, and avoid event gap warnings for targeted tool streams. (#8432) Thanks @gumadeiras.
+- Security: stop exposing Gateway auth tokens via URL query parameters in Control UI entrypoints, and reject hook tokens in query parameters. (#9436) Thanks @coygeek.
 - Shell completion: auto-detect and migrate slow dynamic patterns to cached files for faster terminal startup; add completion health checks to doctor/update/onboard.
 - Telegram: honor session model overrides in inline model selection. (#8193) Thanks @gildo.
 - Web UI: fix agent model selection saves for default/non-default agents and wrap long workspace paths. Thanks @Takhoffman.

docs/gateway/configuration.md

@@ -3173,8 +3173,7 @@ Defaults:
 Requests must include the hook token:
 
 - `Authorization: Bearer <token>` **or**
-- `x-openclaw-token: <token>` **or**
+- `x-openclaw-token: <token>`
-- `?token=<token>`
 
 Endpoints:
 

docs/help/faq.md

@@ -334,21 +334,21 @@ If you don't have a global install yet, run it via `pnpm openclaw onboard`.
 
 ### How do I open the dashboard after onboarding
 
-The wizard now opens your browser with a tokenized dashboard URL right after onboarding and also prints the full link (with token) in the summary. Keep that tab open; if it didn't launch, copy/paste the printed URL on the same machine. Tokens stay local to your host-nothing is fetched from the browser.
+The wizard opens your browser with a clean (non-tokenized) dashboard URL right after onboarding and also prints the link in the summary. Keep that tab open; if it didn't launch, copy/paste the printed URL on the same machine.
 
 ### How do I authenticate the dashboard token on localhost vs remote
 
 **Localhost (same machine):**
 
 - Open `http://127.0.0.1:18789/`.
-- If it asks for auth, run `openclaw dashboard` and use the tokenized link (`?token=...`).
+- If it asks for auth, paste the token from `gateway.auth.token` (or `OPENCLAW_GATEWAY_TOKEN`) into Control UI settings.
-- The token is the same value as `gateway.auth.token` (or `OPENCLAW_GATEWAY_TOKEN`) and is stored by the UI after first load.
+- Retrieve it from the gateway host: `openclaw config get gateway.auth.token` (or generate one: `openclaw doctor --generate-gateway-token`).
 
 **Not on localhost:**
 
 - **Tailscale Serve** (recommended): keep bind loopback, run `openclaw gateway --tailscale serve`, open `https://<magicdns>/`. If `gateway.auth.allowTailscale` is `true`, identity headers satisfy auth (no token).
 - **Tailnet bind**: run `openclaw gateway --bind tailnet --token "<token>"`, open `http://<tailscale-ip>:18789/`, paste token in dashboard settings.
-- **SSH tunnel**: `ssh -N -L 18789:127.0.0.1:18789 user@host` then open `http://127.0.0.1:18789/?token=...` from `openclaw dashboard`.
+- **SSH tunnel**: `ssh -N -L 18789:127.0.0.1:18789 user@host` then open `http://127.0.0.1:18789/` and paste the token in Control UI settings.
 
 See [Dashboard](/web/dashboard) and [Web surfaces](/web) for bind modes and auth details.
 
@@ -2383,15 +2383,14 @@ Your gateway is running with auth enabled (`gateway.auth.*`), but the UI is not
 Facts (from code):
 
 - The Control UI stores the token in browser localStorage key `openclaw.control.settings.v1`.
-- The UI can import `?token=...` (and/or `?password=...`) once, then strips it from the URL.
 
 Fix:
 
-- Fastest: `openclaw dashboard` (prints + copies tokenized link, tries to open; shows SSH hint if headless).
+- Fastest: `openclaw dashboard` (prints + copies the dashboard URL, tries to open; shows SSH hint if headless).
 - If you don't have a token yet: `openclaw doctor --generate-gateway-token`.
-- If remote, tunnel first: `ssh -N -L 18789:127.0.0.1:18789 user@host` then open `http://127.0.0.1:18789/?token=...`.
+- If remote, tunnel first: `ssh -N -L 18789:127.0.0.1:18789 user@host` then open `http://127.0.0.1:18789/`.
 - Set `gateway.auth.token` (or `OPENCLAW_GATEWAY_TOKEN`) on the gateway host.
-- In the Control UI settings, paste the same token (or refresh with a one-time `?token=...` link).
+- In the Control UI settings, paste the same token.
 - Still stuck? Run `openclaw status --all` and follow [Troubleshooting](/gateway/troubleshooting). See [Dashboard](/web/dashboard) for auth details.
 
 ### I set gatewaybind tailnet but it cant bind nothing listens

docs/install/docker.md

@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ After it finishes:
 
 - Open `http://127.0.0.1:18789/` in your browser.
 - Paste the token into the Control UI (Settings → token).
-- Need the tokenized URL again? Run `docker compose run --rm openclaw-cli dashboard --no-open`.
+- Need the URL again? Run `docker compose run --rm openclaw-cli dashboard --no-open`.
 
 It writes config/workspace on the host:
 

docs/install/exe-dev.md

@@ -103,9 +103,10 @@ server {
 
 ## 5) Access OpenClaw and grant privileges
 
-Access `https://<vm-name>.exe.xyz/?token=YOUR-TOKEN-FROM-TERMINAL` (see the Control UI output from onboarding). Approve
+Access `https://<vm-name>.exe.xyz/` (see the Control UI output from onboarding). If it prompts for auth, paste the
-devices with `openclaw devices list` and `openclaw devices approve <requestId>`. When in doubt,
+token from `gateway.auth.token` on the VM (retrieve with `openclaw config get gateway.auth.token`, or generate one
-use Shelley from your browser!
+with `openclaw doctor --generate-gateway-token`). Approve devices with `openclaw devices list` and
+`openclaw devices approve <requestId>`. When in doubt, use Shelley from your browser!
 
 ## Remote Access
 

docs/start/openclaw.md

@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ openclaw gateway --port 18789
 
 Now message the assistant number from your allowlisted phone.
 
-When onboarding finishes, we auto-open the dashboard with your gateway token and print the tokenized link. To reopen later: `openclaw dashboard`.
+When onboarding finishes, we auto-open the dashboard and print a clean (non-tokenized) link. If it prompts for auth, paste the token from `gateway.auth.token` into Control UI settings. To reopen later: `openclaw dashboard`.
 
 ## Give the agent a workspace (AGENTS)
 

docs/web/dashboard.md

@@ -29,18 +29,18 @@ Prefer localhost, Tailscale Serve, or an SSH tunnel.
 
 ## Fast path (recommended)
 
-- After onboarding, the CLI now auto-opens the dashboard with your token and prints the same tokenized link.
+- After onboarding, the CLI auto-opens the dashboard and prints a clean (non-tokenized) link.
 - Re-open anytime: `openclaw dashboard` (copies link, opens browser if possible, shows SSH hint if headless).
-- The token stays local (query param only); the UI strips it after first load and saves it in localStorage.
+- If the UI prompts for auth, paste the token from `gateway.auth.token` (or `OPENCLAW_GATEWAY_TOKEN`) into Control UI settings.
 
 ## Token basics (local vs remote)
 
-- **Localhost**: open `http://127.0.0.1:18789/`. If you see “unauthorized,” run `openclaw dashboard` and use the tokenized link (`?token=...`).
+- **Localhost**: open `http://127.0.0.1:18789/`.
-- **Token source**: `gateway.auth.token` (or `OPENCLAW_GATEWAY_TOKEN`); the UI stores it after first load.
+- **Token source**: `gateway.auth.token` (or `OPENCLAW_GATEWAY_TOKEN`); the UI stores a copy in localStorage after you connect.
 - **Not localhost**: use Tailscale Serve (tokenless if `gateway.auth.allowTailscale: true`), tailnet bind with a token, or an SSH tunnel. See [Web surfaces](/web).
 
 ## If you see “unauthorized” / 1008
 
-- Run `openclaw dashboard` to get a fresh tokenized link.
+- Ensure the gateway is reachable (local: `openclaw status`; remote: SSH tunnel `ssh -N -L 18789:127.0.0.1:18789 user@host` then open `http://127.0.0.1:18789/`).
-- Ensure the gateway is reachable (local: `openclaw status`; remote: SSH tunnel `ssh -N -L 18789:127.0.0.1:18789 user@host` then open `http://127.0.0.1:18789/?token=...`).
+- Retrieve the token from the gateway host: `openclaw config get gateway.auth.token` (or generate one: `openclaw doctor --generate-gateway-token`).
-- In the dashboard settings, paste the same token you configured in `gateway.auth.token` (or `OPENCLAW_GATEWAY_TOKEN`).
+- In the dashboard settings, paste the token into the auth field, then connect.

src/agents/session-write-lock.ts

@@ -18,34 +18,6 @@ const CLEANUP_SIGNALS = ["SIGINT", "SIGTERM", "SIGQUIT", "SIGABRT"] as const;
 type CleanupSignal = (typeof CLEANUP_SIGNALS)[number];
 const cleanupHandlers = new Map<CleanupSignal, () => void>();
 
-/**
- * Release all held locks - called on process exit to prevent orphaned locks
- */
-async function releaseAllLocks(): Promise<void> {
-  const locks = Array.from(HELD_LOCKS.values());
-  HELD_LOCKS.clear();
-  for (const lock of locks) {
-    try {
-      await lock.handle.close();
-      await fs.rm(lock.lockPath, { force: true });
-    } catch {
-      // Best effort cleanup
-    }
-  }
-}
-
-if (process.env.NODE_ENV !== "test" && !process.env.VITEST) {
-  // Register cleanup handlers to release locks on unexpected termination
-  process.on("exit", releaseAllLocks);
-  process.on("SIGTERM", () => {
-    void releaseAllLocks().then(() => process.exit(0));
-  });
-  process.on("SIGINT", () => {
-    void releaseAllLocks().then(() => process.exit(0));
-  });
-  // Note: unhandledRejection handler will call process.exit() which triggers 'exit'
-}
-
 function isAlive(pid: number): boolean {
   if (!Number.isFinite(pid) || pid <= 0) {
     return false;

src/auto-reply/reply/dispatch-from-config.ts

@@ -292,31 +292,32 @@ export async function dispatchReplyFromConfig(params: {
     let accumulatedBlockText = "";
     let blockCount = 0;
 
+    const shouldSendToolSummaries = ctx.ChatType !== "group" && ctx.CommandSource !== "native";
+
     const replyResult = await (params.replyResolver ?? getReplyFromConfig)(
       ctx,
       {
         ...params.replyOptions,
-        onToolResult:
+        onToolResult: shouldSendToolSummaries
-          ctx.ChatType !== "group" && ctx.CommandSource !== "native"
+          ? (payload: ReplyPayload) => {
-            ? (payload: ReplyPayload) => {
+              const run = async () => {
-                const run = async () => {
+                const ttsPayload = await maybeApplyTtsToPayload({
-                  const ttsPayload = await maybeApplyTtsToPayload({
+                  payload,
-                    payload,
+                  cfg,
-                    cfg,
+                  channel: ttsChannel,
-                    channel: ttsChannel,
+                  kind: "tool",
-                    kind: "tool",
+                  inboundAudio,
-                    inboundAudio,
+                  ttsAuto: sessionTtsAuto,
-                    ttsAuto: sessionTtsAuto,
+                });
-                  });
+                if (shouldRouteToOriginating) {
-                  if (shouldRouteToOriginating) {
+                  await sendPayloadAsync(ttsPayload, undefined, false);
-                    await sendPayloadAsync(ttsPayload, undefined, false);
+                } else {
-                  } else {
+                  dispatcher.sendToolResult(ttsPayload);
-                    dispatcher.sendToolResult(ttsPayload);
+                }
-                  }
+              };
-                };
+              return run();
-                return run();
+            }
-              }
+          : undefined,
-            : undefined,
         onBlockReply: (payload: ReplyPayload, context) => {
           const run = async () => {
             // Accumulate block text for TTS generation after streaming

src/commands/dashboard.test.ts

@@ -83,8 +83,8 @@ describe("dashboardCommand", () => {
       customBindHost: undefined,
       basePath: undefined,
     });
-    expect(mocks.copyToClipboard).toHaveBeenCalledWith("http://127.0.0.1:18789/?token=abc123");
+    expect(mocks.copyToClipboard).toHaveBeenCalledWith("http://127.0.0.1:18789/");
-    expect(mocks.openUrl).toHaveBeenCalledWith("http://127.0.0.1:18789/?token=abc123");
+    expect(mocks.openUrl).toHaveBeenCalledWith("http://127.0.0.1:18789/");
     expect(runtime.log).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
       "Opened in your browser. Keep that tab to control OpenClaw.",
     );

src/commands/dashboard.ts

@@ -23,7 +23,6 @@ export async function dashboardCommand(
   const bind = cfg.gateway?.bind ?? "loopback";
   const basePath = cfg.gateway?.controlUi?.basePath;
   const customBindHost = cfg.gateway?.customBindHost;
-  const token = cfg.gateway?.auth?.token ?? process.env.OPENCLAW_GATEWAY_TOKEN ?? "";
 
   const links = resolveControlUiLinks({
     port,
@@ -31,11 +30,11 @@ export async function dashboardCommand(
     customBindHost,
     basePath,
   });
-  const authedUrl = token ? `${links.httpUrl}?token=${encodeURIComponent(token)}` : links.httpUrl;
+  const dashboardUrl = links.httpUrl;
 
-  runtime.log(`Dashboard URL: ${authedUrl}`);
+  runtime.log(`Dashboard URL: ${dashboardUrl}`);
 
-  const copied = await copyToClipboard(authedUrl).catch(() => false);
+  const copied = await copyToClipboard(dashboardUrl).catch(() => false);
   runtime.log(copied ? "Copied to clipboard." : "Copy to clipboard unavailable.");
 
   let opened = false;
@@ -43,13 +42,12 @@ export async function dashboardCommand(
   if (!options.noOpen) {
     const browserSupport = await detectBrowserOpenSupport();
     if (browserSupport.ok) {
-      opened = await openUrl(authedUrl);
+      opened = await openUrl(dashboardUrl);
     }
     if (!opened) {
       hint = formatControlUiSshHint({
         port,
         basePath,
-        token: token || undefined,
       });
     }
   } else {

src/commands/onboard-helpers.ts

@@ -179,23 +179,16 @@ export async function detectBrowserOpenSupport(): Promise<BrowserOpenSupport> {
   return { ok: true, command: resolved.command };
 }
 
-export function formatControlUiSshHint(params: {
+export function formatControlUiSshHint(params: { port: number; basePath?: string }): string {
-  port: number;
-  basePath?: string;
-  token?: string;
-}): string {
   const basePath = normalizeControlUiBasePath(params.basePath);
   const uiPath = basePath ? `${basePath}/` : "/";
   const localUrl = `http://localhost:${params.port}${uiPath}`;
-  const tokenParam = params.token ? `?token=${encodeURIComponent(params.token)}` : "";
-  const authedUrl = params.token ? `${localUrl}${tokenParam}` : undefined;
   const sshTarget = resolveSshTargetHint();
   return [
     "No GUI detected. Open from your computer:",
     `ssh -N -L ${params.port}:127.0.0.1:${params.port} ${sshTarget}`,
     "Then open:",
     localUrl,
-    authedUrl,
     "Docs:",
     "https://docs.openclaw.ai/gateway/remote",
     "https://docs.openclaw.ai/web/control-ui",

src/gateway/hooks.test.ts

@@ -39,29 +39,25 @@ describe("gateway hooks helpers", () => {
     expect(() => resolveHooksConfig(cfg)).toThrow("hooks.path may not be '/'");
   });
 
-  test("extractHookToken prefers bearer > header > query", () => {
+  test("extractHookToken prefers bearer > header", () => {
     const req = {
       headers: {
         authorization: "Bearer top",
         "x-openclaw-token": "header",
       },
     } as unknown as IncomingMessage;
-    const url = new URL("http://localhost/hooks/wake?token=query");
+    const result1 = extractHookToken(req);
-    const result1 = extractHookToken(req, url);
+    expect(result1).toBe("top");
-    expect(result1.token).toBe("top");
-    expect(result1.fromQuery).toBe(false);
 
     const req2 = {
       headers: { "x-openclaw-token": "header" },
     } as unknown as IncomingMessage;
-    const result2 = extractHookToken(req2, url);
+    const result2 = extractHookToken(req2);
-    expect(result2.token).toBe("header");
+    expect(result2).toBe("header");
-    expect(result2.fromQuery).toBe(false);
 
     const req3 = { headers: {} } as unknown as IncomingMessage;
-    const result3 = extractHookToken(req3, url);
+    const result3 = extractHookToken(req3);
-    expect(result3.token).toBe("query");
+    expect(result3).toBeUndefined();
-    expect(result3.fromQuery).toBe(true);
   });
 
   test("normalizeWakePayload trims + validates", () => {

src/gateway/hooks.ts

@@ -43,18 +43,13 @@ export function resolveHooksConfig(cfg: OpenClawConfig): HooksConfigResolved | n
   };
 }
 
-export type HookTokenResult = {
+export function extractHookToken(req: IncomingMessage): string | undefined {
-  token: string | undefined;
-  fromQuery: boolean;
-};
-
-export function extractHookToken(req: IncomingMessage, url: URL): HookTokenResult {
   const auth =
     typeof req.headers.authorization === "string" ? req.headers.authorization.trim() : "";
   if (auth.toLowerCase().startsWith("bearer ")) {
     const token = auth.slice(7).trim();
     if (token) {
-      return { token, fromQuery: false };
+      return token;
     }
   }
   const headerToken =
@@ -62,13 +57,9 @@ export function extractHookToken(req: IncomingMessage, url: URL): HookTokenResul
       ? req.headers["x-openclaw-token"].trim()
       : "";
   if (headerToken) {
-    return { token: headerToken, fromQuery: false };
+    return headerToken;
   }
-  const queryToken = url.searchParams.get("token");
+  return undefined;
-  if (queryToken) {
-    return { token: queryToken.trim(), fromQuery: true };
-  }
-  return { token: undefined, fromQuery: false };
 }
 
 export async function readJsonBody(

src/gateway/server-http.ts

@@ -147,20 +147,22 @@ export function createHooksRequestHandler(
       return false;
     }
 
-    const { token, fromQuery } = extractHookToken(req, url);
+    if (url.searchParams.has("token")) {
+      res.statusCode = 400;
+      res.setHeader("Content-Type", "text/plain; charset=utf-8");
+      res.end(
+        "Hook token must be provided via Authorization: Bearer <token> or X-OpenClaw-Token header (query parameters are not allowed).",
+      );
+      return true;
+    }
+
+    const token = extractHookToken(req);
     if (!token || token !== hooksConfig.token) {
       res.statusCode = 401;
       res.setHeader("Content-Type", "text/plain; charset=utf-8");
       res.end("Unauthorized");
       return true;
     }
-    if (fromQuery) {
-      logHooks.warn(
-        "Hook token provided via query parameter is deprecated for security reasons. " +
-          "Tokens in URLs appear in logs, browser history, and referrer headers. " +
-          "Use Authorization: Bearer <token> or X-OpenClaw-Token header instead.",
-      );
-    }
 
     if (req.method !== "POST") {
       res.statusCode = 405;

src/gateway/server.hooks.e2e.test.ts

@@ -88,10 +88,7 @@ describe("gateway server hooks", () => {
         headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json" },
         body: JSON.stringify({ text: "Query auth" }),
       });
-      expect(resQuery.status).toBe(200);
+      expect(resQuery.status).toBe(400);
-      const queryEvents = await waitForSystemEvent();
-      expect(queryEvents.some((e) => e.includes("Query auth"))).toBe(true);
-      drainSystemEvents(resolveMainKey());
 
       const resBadChannel = await fetch(`http://127.0.0.1:${port}/hooks/agent`, {
         method: "POST",

src/gateway/server/ws-connection/message-handler.ts

@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ function formatGatewayAuthFailureMessage(params: {
   const isCli = isGatewayCliClient(client);
   const isControlUi = client?.id === GATEWAY_CLIENT_IDS.CONTROL_UI;
   const isWebchat = isWebchatClient(client);
-  const uiHint = "open a tokenized dashboard URL or paste token in Control UI settings";
+  const uiHint = "open the dashboard URL and paste the token in Control UI settings";
   const tokenHint = isCli
     ? "set gateway.remote.token to match gateway.auth.token"
     : isControlUi || isWebchat

src/wizard/onboarding.finalize.ts

@@ -255,11 +255,7 @@ export async function finalizeOnboardingWizard(
     customBindHost: settings.customBindHost,
     basePath: controlUiBasePath,
   });
-  const tokenParam =
+  const dashboardUrl = links.httpUrl;
-    settings.authMode === "token" && settings.gatewayToken
-      ? `?token=${encodeURIComponent(settings.gatewayToken)}`
-      : "";
-  const authedUrl = `${links.httpUrl}${tokenParam}`;
   const gatewayProbe = await probeGatewayReachable({
     url: links.wsUrl,
     token: settings.authMode === "token" ? settings.gatewayToken : undefined,
@@ -279,8 +275,7 @@ export async function finalizeOnboardingWizard(
 
   await prompter.note(
     [
-      `Web UI: ${links.httpUrl}`,
+      `Web UI: ${dashboardUrl}`,
-      tokenParam ? `Web UI (with token): ${authedUrl}` : undefined,
       `Gateway WS: ${links.wsUrl}`,
       gatewayStatusLine,
       "Docs: https://docs.openclaw.ai/web/control-ui",
@@ -313,8 +308,11 @@ export async function finalizeOnboardingWizard(
       [
         "Gateway token: shared auth for the Gateway + Control UI.",
         "Stored in: ~/.openclaw/openclaw.json (gateway.auth.token) or OPENCLAW_GATEWAY_TOKEN.",
+        `View token: ${formatCliCommand("openclaw config get gateway.auth.token")}`,
+        `Generate token: ${formatCliCommand("openclaw doctor --generate-gateway-token")}`,
         "Web UI stores a copy in this browser's localStorage (openclaw.control.settings.v1).",
-        `Get the tokenized link anytime: ${formatCliCommand("openclaw dashboard --no-open")}`,
+        `Open the dashboard anytime: ${formatCliCommand("openclaw dashboard --no-open")}`,
+        "Paste the token into Control UI settings if prompted.",
       ].join("\n"),
       "Token",
     );
@@ -343,24 +341,22 @@ export async function finalizeOnboardingWizard(
     } else if (hatchChoice === "web") {
       const browserSupport = await detectBrowserOpenSupport();
       if (browserSupport.ok) {
-        controlUiOpened = await openUrl(authedUrl);
+        controlUiOpened = await openUrl(dashboardUrl);
         if (!controlUiOpened) {
           controlUiOpenHint = formatControlUiSshHint({
             port: settings.port,
             basePath: controlUiBasePath,
-            token: settings.gatewayToken,
           });
         }
       } else {
         controlUiOpenHint = formatControlUiSshHint({
           port: settings.port,
           basePath: controlUiBasePath,
-          token: settings.gatewayToken,
         });
       }
       await prompter.note(
         [
-          `Dashboard link (with token): ${authedUrl}`,
+          `Dashboard link: ${dashboardUrl}`,
           controlUiOpened
             ? "Opened in your browser. Keep that tab to control OpenClaw."
             : "Copy/paste this URL in a browser on this machine to control OpenClaw.",
@@ -446,25 +442,23 @@ export async function finalizeOnboardingWizard(
   if (shouldOpenControlUi) {
     const browserSupport = await detectBrowserOpenSupport();
     if (browserSupport.ok) {
-      controlUiOpened = await openUrl(authedUrl);
+      controlUiOpened = await openUrl(dashboardUrl);
       if (!controlUiOpened) {
         controlUiOpenHint = formatControlUiSshHint({
           port: settings.port,
           basePath: controlUiBasePath,
-          token: settings.gatewayToken,
         });
       }
     } else {
       controlUiOpenHint = formatControlUiSshHint({
         port: settings.port,
         basePath: controlUiBasePath,
-        token: settings.gatewayToken,
       });
     }
 
     await prompter.note(
       [
-        `Dashboard link (with token): ${authedUrl}`,
+        `Dashboard link: ${dashboardUrl}`,
         controlUiOpened
           ? "Opened in your browser. Keep that tab to control OpenClaw."
           : "Copy/paste this URL in a browser on this machine to control OpenClaw.",
@@ -511,10 +505,10 @@ export async function finalizeOnboardingWizard(
 
   await prompter.outro(
     controlUiOpened
-      ? "Onboarding complete. Dashboard opened with your token; keep that tab to control OpenClaw."
+      ? "Onboarding complete. Dashboard opened; keep that tab to control OpenClaw."
       : seededInBackground
-        ? "Onboarding complete. Web UI seeded in the background; open it anytime with the tokenized link above."
+        ? "Onboarding complete. Web UI seeded in the background; open it anytime with the dashboard link above."
-        : "Onboarding complete. Use the tokenized dashboard link above to control OpenClaw.",
+        : "Onboarding complete. Use the dashboard link above to control OpenClaw.",
   );
 
   return { launchedTui };

ui/src/ui/app-settings.ts

@@ -112,19 +112,11 @@ export function applySettingsFromUrl(host: SettingsHost) {
   let shouldCleanUrl = false;
 
   if (tokenRaw != null) {
-    const token = tokenRaw.trim();
-    if (token && token !== host.settings.token) {
-      applySettings(host, { ...host.settings, token });
-    }
     params.delete("token");
     shouldCleanUrl = true;
   }
 
   if (passwordRaw != null) {
-    const password = passwordRaw.trim();
-    if (password) {
-      (host as unknown as { password: string }).password = password;
-    }
     params.delete("password");
     shouldCleanUrl = true;
   }

ui/src/ui/navigation.browser.test.ts

@@ -151,25 +151,25 @@ describe("control UI routing", () => {
     expect(container.scrollTop).toBe(maxScroll);
   });
 
-  it("hydrates token from URL params and strips it", async () => {
+  it("strips token URL params without importing them", async () => {
     const app = mountApp("/ui/overview?token=abc123");
     await app.updateComplete;
 
-    expect(app.settings.token).toBe("abc123");
+    expect(app.settings.token).toBe("");
     expect(window.location.pathname).toBe("/ui/overview");
     expect(window.location.search).toBe("");
   });
 
-  it("hydrates password from URL params and strips it", async () => {
+  it("strips password URL params without importing them", async () => {
     const app = mountApp("/ui/overview?password=sekret");
     await app.updateComplete;
 
-    expect(app.password).toBe("sekret");
+    expect(app.password).toBe("");
     expect(window.location.pathname).toBe("/ui/overview");
     expect(window.location.search).toBe("");
   });
 
-  it("hydrates token from URL params even when settings already set", async () => {
+  it("does not override stored settings from URL token params", async () => {
     localStorage.setItem(
       "openclaw.control.settings.v1",
       JSON.stringify({ token: "existing-token" }),
@@ -177,7 +177,7 @@ describe("control UI routing", () => {
     const app = mountApp("/ui/overview?token=abc123");
     await app.updateComplete;
 
-    expect(app.settings.token).toBe("abc123");
+    expect(app.settings.token).toBe("existing-token");
     expect(window.location.pathname).toBe("/ui/overview");
     expect(window.location.search).toBe("");
   });

ui/src/ui/navigation.test.ts

@@ -26,23 +26,23 @@ describe("iconForTab", () => {
   });
 
   it("returns stable icons for known tabs", () => {
-    expect(iconForTab("chat")).toBe("💬");
+    expect(iconForTab("chat")).toBe("messageSquare");
-    expect(iconForTab("overview")).toBe("📊");
+    expect(iconForTab("overview")).toBe("barChart");
-    expect(iconForTab("channels")).toBe("🔗");
+    expect(iconForTab("channels")).toBe("link");
-    expect(iconForTab("instances")).toBe("📡");
+    expect(iconForTab("instances")).toBe("radio");
-    expect(iconForTab("sessions")).toBe("📄");
+    expect(iconForTab("sessions")).toBe("fileText");
-    expect(iconForTab("cron")).toBe("⏰");
+    expect(iconForTab("cron")).toBe("loader");
-    expect(iconForTab("skills")).toBe("⚡️");
+    expect(iconForTab("skills")).toBe("zap");
-    expect(iconForTab("nodes")).toBe("🖥️");
+    expect(iconForTab("nodes")).toBe("monitor");
-    expect(iconForTab("config")).toBe("⚙️");
+    expect(iconForTab("config")).toBe("settings");
-    expect(iconForTab("debug")).toBe("🐞");
+    expect(iconForTab("debug")).toBe("bug");
-    expect(iconForTab("logs")).toBe("🧾");
+    expect(iconForTab("logs")).toBe("scrollText");
   });
 
   it("returns a fallback icon for unknown tab", () => {
     // TypeScript won't allow this normally, but runtime could receive unexpected values
     const unknownTab = "unknown" as Tab;
-    expect(iconForTab(unknownTab)).toBe("📁");
+    expect(iconForTab(unknownTab)).toBe("folder");
   });
 });
 

ui/src/ui/views/overview.ts

@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ export function renderOverview(props: OverviewProps) {
         <div class="muted" style="margin-top: 8px">
           This gateway requires auth. Add a token or password, then click Connect.
           <div style="margin-top: 6px">
-            <span class="mono">openclaw dashboard --no-open</span> → tokenized URL<br />
+            <span class="mono">openclaw dashboard --no-open</span> → open the Control UI<br />
             <span class="mono">openclaw doctor --generate-gateway-token</span> → set token
           </div>
           <div style="margin-top: 6px">
@@ -62,8 +62,7 @@ export function renderOverview(props: OverviewProps) {
     }
     return html`
       <div class="muted" style="margin-top: 8px">
-        Auth failed. Re-copy a tokenized URL with
+        Auth failed. Update the token or password in Control UI settings, then click Connect.
-        <span class="mono">openclaw dashboard --no-open</span>, or update the token, then click Connect.
         <div style="margin-top: 6px">
           <a
             class="session-link"