# key-guard A local MCP server that keeps API keys off Claude's servers. ## Why This Exists When Claude reads a file containing an API key, the raw key content gets sent to Claude's servers. key-guard prevents this by acting as a local middleman — Claude calls a tool, the tool reads the key and makes the API call locally, and only the result is returned to Claude. skill for OpenClaw
What this skill does
Security guardrail: prevents API keys from being sent to Claude. Triggers when user asks to call an external API, use a key, check credentials, read .
The # key-guard A local MCP server that keeps API keys off Claude's servers. ## Why This Exists When Claude reads a file containing an API key, the raw key content gets sent to Claude's servers. key-guard prevents this by acting as a local middleman — Claude calls a tool, the tool reads the key and makes the API call locally, and only the result is returned to Claude. skill is part of the Automation & Workflows category — automation and workflow skills that schedule, trigger, and orchestrate tasks. You can install it on its own or alongside other automation & workflows skills from the OpenClaw catalog.
How to install the # key-guard A local MCP server that keeps API keys off Claude's servers. ## Why This Exists When Claude reads a file containing an API key, the raw key content gets sent to Claude's servers. key-guard prevents this by acting as a local middleman — Claude calls a tool, the tool reads the key and makes the API call locally, and only the result is returned to Claude. skill
The easiest path is via the OpenClaw Easy desktop app — one click, no terminal required:
- Download OpenClaw Easy for macOS or Windows (free, one-click installer, ~30 seconds).
- Open the in-app Skills panel.
- Search for
key-guardand click Install. - The skill activates automatically when an incoming message matches its description.
Install from the command line
If you already run the OpenClaw CLI, add the # key-guard A local MCP server that keeps API keys off Claude's servers. ## Why This Exists When Claude reads a file containing an API key, the raw key content gets sent to Claude's servers. key-guard prevents this by acting as a local middleman — Claude calls a tool, the tool reads the key and makes the API call locally, and only the result is returned to Claude. skill with a single command:
openclaw skills add key-guard
This pulls key-guard from ClawHub and installs it into ~/.openclaw/skills/key-guard/. Restart the OpenClaw gateway afterwards so the new skill is discovered.
How to use the # key-guard A local MCP server that keeps API keys off Claude's servers. ## Why This Exists When Claude reads a file containing an API key, the raw key content gets sent to Claude's servers. key-guard prevents this by acting as a local middleman — Claude calls a tool, the tool reads the key and makes the API call locally, and only the result is returned to Claude. skill
Once installed, the # key-guard A local MCP server that keeps API keys off Claude's servers. ## Why This Exists When Claude reads a file containing an API key, the raw key content gets sent to Claude's servers. key-guard prevents this by acting as a local middleman — Claude calls a tool, the tool reads the key and makes the API call locally, and only the result is returned to Claude. skill activates on its own: when an incoming message on WhatsApp, Telegram, Slack, Discord, Feishu or Line matches the skill's description, your OpenClaw agent loads it and runs the workflow. You can also trigger it explicitly by describing the task in chat. No extra configuration is required after install.
Manual install (advanced)
If you prefer manual installation:
- Click the Download skill .zip button above to grab
key-guard-1.0.1.zipdirectly from our S3 mirror. - Unzip into
~/.openclaw/skills/key-guard/(create the directory if it does not exist). - Restart OpenClaw Easy (or the OpenClaw CLI gateway) so the new skill is discovered.
Frequently asked questions
How do I install # key-guard A local MCP server that keeps API keys off Claude's servers. ## Why This Exists When Claude reads a file containing an API key, the raw key content gets sent to Claude's servers. key-guard prevents this by acting as a local middleman — Claude calls a tool, the tool reads the key and makes the API call locally, and only the result is returned to Claude.?
Install # key-guard A local MCP server that keeps API keys off Claude's servers. ## Why This Exists When Claude reads a file containing an API key, the raw key content gets sent to Claude's servers. key-guard prevents this by acting as a local middleman — Claude calls a tool, the tool reads the key and makes the API call locally, and only the result is returned to Claude. in the OpenClaw Easy desktop app by opening the Skills panel, searching for key-guard, and clicking Install. From a terminal you can run: openclaw skills add key-guard. Either way the skill is placed in ~/.openclaw/skills/key-guard/.
Is the # key-guard A local MCP server that keeps API keys off Claude's servers. ## Why This Exists When Claude reads a file containing an API key, the raw key content gets sent to Claude's servers. key-guard prevents this by acting as a local middleman — Claude calls a tool, the tool reads the key and makes the API call locally, and only the result is returned to Claude. skill free?
Yes. It is free to download and run through ClawHub, with no account or payment required. Each skill is published by its own author under its own licence — see its ClawHub page for the licence and source.
What does # key-guard A local MCP server that keeps API keys off Claude's servers. ## Why This Exists When Claude reads a file containing an API key, the raw key content gets sent to Claude's servers. key-guard prevents this by acting as a local middleman — Claude calls a tool, the tool reads the key and makes the API call locally, and only the result is returned to Claude. do?
Security guardrail: prevents API keys from being sent to Claude. Triggers when user asks to call an external API, use a key, check credentials, read .
Related: more automation & workflows skills
If the # key-guard A local MCP server that keeps API keys off Claude's servers. ## Why This Exists When Claude reads a file containing an API key, the raw key content gets sent to Claude's servers. key-guard prevents this by acting as a local middleman — Claude calls a tool, the tool reads the key and makes the API call locally, and only the result is returned to Claude. skill looks useful, you may also want to check out other automation & workflows skills in the OpenClaw catalog:
Skills in this catalog are community-contributed integrations published on ClawHub and distributed under their own open-source licences. Product and company names, and any third-party service a skill connects to, are trademarks of their respective owners; a listing here does not imply affiliation with, sponsorship by, or endorsement from them. This page does not distribute any third-party application. Rights holders can reach us at hello@openclaw-easy.com.
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Install # key-guard A local MCP server that keeps API keys off Claude's servers. ## Why This Exists When Claude reads a file containing an API key, the raw key content gets sent to Claude's servers. key-guard prevents this by acting as a local middleman — Claude calls a tool, the tool reads the key and makes the API call locally, and only the result is returned to Claude. and 10,000+ other OpenClaw skills in one click. Free, open-source, runs locally on macOS & Windows.
Free, open-source · Apache-2.0 · Works with Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, or local Ollama models