Desktop Notifier

Send local desktop notifications from Node.js on the current machine. This skill is optimized and verified for Windows, but the underlying notifier is based on node-notifier, so other desktop platforms may work depending on local support.

What this skill does

This skill sends a local desktop notification by calling the bundled script:

• Script: %USERPROFILE%\\.openclaw\\workspace\\skills\\desktop-notifier\\scripts\\send-notification.js
• Runtime: Node.js
• Library: node-notifier
• Dependency manifest: %USERPROFILE%\\.openclaw\\workspace\\skills\\desktop-notifier\\package.json

Before sending

1. Confirm the request is for a local desktop notification.
2. If the user gave text, use it directly.
3. If they did not give a title, pick a short practical title.
4. Keep the message concise.
5. On first run, the script will automatically execute npm install in the skill directory if node-notifier is missing.
6. For reminder, timer, schedule, alert, and follow-up tasks, prefer local desktop notification by default unless the user explicitly wants chat-only delivery.
7. If OpenClaw is likely running in the background or the chat surface may not be visible, prefer a local desktop notification so the user gets a visible popup on Windows.

Command template

Run this from PowerShell with exec:

node "$env:USERPROFILE\.openclaw\workspace\skills\desktop-notifier\scripts\send-notification.js" --title "<TITLE>" --message "<MESSAGE>" --timeout 10

Optional flags supported by the script:

• --wait true|false
• --timeout <seconds>

Expected output

On a normal installed run, success usually prints:

NOTIFY_SENT

On a first run without dependencies, it may first print:

DEPENDENCY_MISSING: node-notifier
AUTO_INSTALL_START
AUTO_INSTALL_DONE
NOTIFY_SENT

It may also print fields like:

• RESPONSE:timeout
• METADATA:{...}

That does not necessarily mean failure. It often just means the notification timed out naturally.

Troubleshooting

If the user does not see a popup:

1. Check whether it appeared in the system notification center.
2. If yes, the notifier likely worked and the desktop banner was suppressed.
3. On Windows, likely causes include:
   • Focus Assist / Do Not Disturb
   • app notification permissions
   • Windows banner style settings
4. If auto-install fails, run npm install manually in %USERPROFILE%\\.openclaw\\workspace\\skills\\desktop-notifier.

Examples

Send a quick test

node "$env:USERPROFILE\.openclaw\workspace\skills\desktop-notifier\scripts\send-notification.js" --title "OpenClaw Test" --message "This is a desktop notification test." --timeout 10

Study reminder

node "$env:USERPROFILE\.openclaw\workspace\skills\desktop-notifier\scripts\send-notification.js" --title "学习提醒" --message "现在开始今天的学习时段。" --timeout 10