Reference
Glossary
Short definitions for xCloud, OpenClaw, engines, agents, channels, and workspaces.
Terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| xCloud Desktop | The macOS app used to control agents visually |
| OpenClaw | The open-source engine that runs agents, tools, channels, and sessions |
| Engine | The OpenClaw runtime xCloud is currently connected to |
| Gateway | The OpenClaw process that exposes the WebSocket/API endpoint |
| Local engine | OpenClaw running on the same Mac as xCloud Desktop |
| PC / Mac mini engine | OpenClaw running on another computer on your network |
| OpenClaw host / VPS | OpenClaw running on a remote server through SSH tunnel |
| Agent | An AI worker with model, memory, tools, instructions, and sessions |
| Main agent | The default/global agent for an engine or workspace |
| Specialist agent | An agent scoped to a narrower role or workspace function |
| Workspace | A group of agents organized around a project or business |
| Agent UI | A web interface owned by a specific agent |
| Canvas | Visual graph of agents, tools, integrations, memory, and model state |
| Channel | Messaging platform such as Telegram, WhatsApp, Slack, or Discord |
| Provider | Model or search provider used by the engine |
| API key | Secret credential for a provider |
| Auth profile | Login-based credential, such as OpenAI Codex or GitHub Copilot |
| Skill | Reusable instruction/capability bundle available to agents |
| Tool | Callable function an agent can invoke |
| AG-UI | Event protocol used to stream agent activity into an Agent UI |
.xcloud-agent | Portable package format for exporting/importing agents |