Purpose: Architecture reference for integrating Plan Forge, OpenBrain, and OpenClaw into a single automated development system.
Full version: planforge.software/manual/how-it-works.html
Last Updated: 2026-04-10
| Project | Problem Solved | Analogy |
|---|---|---|
| Plan Forge | AI agents drift without guardrails | The blueprint — what to build, how, and when to stop |
| OpenBrain | Every AI session starts from zero | The memory — why we decided, what we learned, what failed |
| OpenClaw | AI is locked inside one tool/surface | The nervous system — always-on orchestration across every channel |
Together they form a closed-loop system: describe a feature from any device → Plan Forge hardens into execution contract → Copilot builds it → OpenBrain captures every decision → OpenClaw notifies you on Slack/Telegram → fresh session reviews with full history.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM │
│ │
│ OpenClaw (orchestrator + reach) │
│ └── Routes requests from any channel, sends notifications │
│ │
│ Plan Forge (methodology + guardrails) │
│ └── 7-step pipeline, instruction files, validation gates │
│ │
│ OpenBrain (memory + context) │
│ └── Semantic search over prior decisions, cross-session │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
| Integration | How |
|---|---|
| Plan Forge → OpenBrain | Skills run search_thoughts before acting, capture_thought after completing |
| Plan Forge → OpenClaw | Orchestrator sends webhook notifications on slice completion/failure |
| OpenBrain → Copilot Memory | forge_sync_memories generates hints Copilot Memory auto-discovers |
| OpenClaw → Plan Forge | Routes “build this feature” requests → triggers forge_run_plan |
| Layer | Scope | Persistence | Content |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copilot Memory | Repo | 28 days (auto-expire) | Auto-discovered conventions |
| Plan Forge | Per-run | Permanent (.forge/runs/) |
Slice results, gate outcomes, cost |
| OpenBrain | Cross-project | Permanent (pgvector) | Architecture decisions, lessons learned |
Plan Forge works standalone. OpenBrain and OpenClaw are optional enhancements:
// .forge.json
{
"openbrain": {
"enabled": true,
"endpoint": "http://localhost:5200",
"project": "my-project"
},
"notifications": {
"enabled": true,
"webhookUrl": "https://hooks.slack.com/...",
"events": ["run-complete", "slice-failed", "review-passed"]
}
}
Full architecture details including deployment topology, workspace layout, security model, session management, notification flows, and worked examples are available in the Interactive Manual and preserved in git history (pre-v2.21).