> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.prestd.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.prestd.com/ai/prest-openclaw.md).

# pREST for OpenClaw plugin

**pREST for OpenClaw** ([prest/prest-openclaw](https://github.com/prest/prest-openclaw)) is an OpenClaw **plugin** on [ClawHub](https://clawhub.ai/prest/plugins/prest-openclaw) (`@prest/prest-openclaw`). It provides skills, examples, and security guidance for building PostgreSQL-backed APIs with pREST. It is **not** the MCP binary and does **not** run pREST or PostgreSQL.

| Component          | What it is                                                                                         |
| ------------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **`prest-mcp`**    | Stdio adapter that talks to `/_mcp` — see [Install pREST MCP Adapter](/ai/install-prest-mcp.md)    |
| **prest-openclaw** | OpenClaw plugin (skills + examples) that guides config, SQL routes, security review, and MCP setup |

Use both together: install the adapter for live MCP tools, and the plugin for OpenClaw-native guidance.

***

## What the plugin provides

| Skill                     | Purpose                                                        |
| ------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `generate-config`         | Generate `prest.toml`, `.env.example`, optional Docker Compose |
| `generate-sql-route`      | Parameterized SQL under `/_QUERIES/`                           |
| `review-security`         | Audit configs, SQL, auth, and MCP exposure                     |
| `setup-mcp`               | Wire `prest-mcp` and read-only Postgres for agents             |
| `explain-config`          | Plain-language `prest.toml` walkthrough                        |
| `prest-core-guidance`     | Core pREST development rules                                   |
| `prest-security-guidance` | Security defaults and warnings                                 |
| `prest-mcp-guidance`      | MCP and `prest-mcp` connection patterns                        |
| `agent-prompts`           | Copy-paste prompts for common tasks                            |

Examples include Docker Compose setups, SQL template routes, multi-database configs, and a read-only MCP workflow (`examples/mcp-readonly/`).

Repository: <https://github.com/prest/prest-openclaw>

***

## Install from ClawHub

```bash
openclaw plugins install clawhub:@prest/prest-openclaw
openclaw plugins inspect prest
```

Enable the plugin in your OpenClaw config if needed, then restart the gateway:

```bash
openclaw gateway restart
```

Listing: [clawhub.ai/prest/plugins/prest-openclaw](https://clawhub.ai/prest/plugins/prest-openclaw)

***

## MCP setup

The plugin does not replace `prest-mcp`. After installing the plugin:

1. Run pREST **v2.1.0+** with `/_mcp` available
2. Install the adapter: `brew install prest/tap/prest-mcp` — see [Install pREST MCP Adapter](/ai/install-prest-mcp.md)
3. Wire MCP in OpenClaw using `prest-mcp` and env vars

```bash
export PREST_MCP_URL='http://localhost:3000/_mcp'
# export PREST_MCP_TOKEN='...'   # when auth is required
prest-mcp
```

Example MCP config shape (from the plugin repo’s `examples/mcp-readonly/openclaw-mcp.example.json`):

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "prest": {
      "command": "prest-mcp",
      "env": {
        "PREST_MCP_URL": "${PREST_MCP_URL}",
        "PREST_MCP_TOKEN": "${PREST_MCP_TOKEN}"
      }
    }
  }
}
```

| Variable               | Required | Description                                     |
| ---------------------- | -------- | ----------------------------------------------- |
| `PREST_MCP_URL`        | Yes      | Full MCP URL, e.g. `http://localhost:3000/_mcp` |
| `PREST_MCP_TOKEN`      | No       | Bearer token when pREST auth is enabled         |
| `PREST_MCP_TIMEOUT_MS` | No       | HTTP timeout override (default `30000`)         |

MCP Registry name: `io.github.prest/prest`

***

## Plugin vs MCP checklist

| Task                                                      | Use                                                      |
| --------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------- |
| Agent calls `prest.list_databases` / select tools         | MCP via `prest-mcp` → `/_mcp`                            |
| Agent follows pREST skills (config, SQL routes, security) | prest-openclaw plugin                                    |
| Least-privilege DB access                                 | [Read-only PostgreSQL for AI](/ai/read-only-postgres.md) |

***

## Security

* Never expose `/_mcp`, Postgres, or pREST publicly without authentication
* Prefer a [read-only PostgreSQL role](/ai/read-only-postgres.md) for agent workflows
* Use environment variables for secrets — never commit real credentials
* Set `access.restrict = true` with explicit `[[access.tables]]` in production
* Do not use write-capable database roles in MCP configs

***

## Troubleshooting

| Symptom               | Fix                                                                                                                 |
| --------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Skills not appearing  | Confirm plugin is enabled; restart gateway; run `openclaw plugins inspect prest`                                    |
| MCP connection fails  | `curl http://localhost:3000/_health`; verify `PREST_MCP_URL` ends with `/_mcp`; set `PREST_MCP_TOKEN` if auth is on |
| `prest-mcp` not found | `brew install prest/tap/prest-mcp` or use absolute path                                                             |

Publishing and validation issues: see the [plugin README](https://github.com/prest/prest-openclaw) and [OpenClaw ClawHub docs](https://docs.openclaw.ai/clawhub).

***

## Next steps

* [Install pREST MCP Adapter](/ai/install-prest-mcp.md)
* [MCP Overview](/ai/mcp-overview.md)
* [PostgreSQL to AI agent](/postgres-to-ai-agent.md)

## Related documentation

* [AI and MCP landing](/ai.md)
* [pREST for Cursor plugin](/ai/prest-cursor.md) — sibling plugin for Cursor
* [MCP over HTTP](/get-started/mcp-over-http.md)
* [Distribution channels](/get-prest/distribution.md)