OpenClaw

roadmap.sh: https://roadmap.sh/openclaw

Suggested path through the OpenClaw nodes. Each node links to its lesson when written.

Nodes

Background & Project Context

• what-is-openclaw-captain-claw-reimplementation
• the-original-game-monolith-1997
• goals-of-a-reimplementation-portability-modding-preservation
• clean-room-vs-asset-dependent-ports
• legal-boundaries-code-vs-original-game-assets
• reading-an-existing-c-game-codebase

C++ Foundations for Engines

• c-standards-c-11-14-17-20-23
• raii
• smart-pointers-unique-ptr-shared-ptr-weak-ptr
• memory-layout-cache-locality
• the-stl-in-hot-paths
• build-systems-cmake-make
• compilers-gcc-clang-msvc
• static-dynamic-linking
• debuggers-gdb-lldb

Reverse Engineering & File Formats

• reverse-engineering-mindset-ethics
• inspecting-binaries-hex-editors-strings
• disassembly-basics-ida-ghidra
• identifying-proprietary-file-formats
• pid-image-format-claw-sprites
• wwd-level-format
• rez-archive-resource-packs
• xmi-audio-format-extraction
• writing-format-parsers-in-c

Engine Architecture

• game-loop-fixed-vs-variable-timestep
• entity-actor-model
• component-logic-separation
• scene-level-management
• resource-manager-caching
• event-system-input-handling
• finite-state-machines-actor-states

Rendering

• sdl2-setup-window-management
• 2d-sprite-rendering
• texture-atlases-tilesets
• parallax-scrolling-backgrounds
• animation-system-frames-timing
• camera-viewport
• hud-ui-overlay

Audio

• sdl-mixer-integration
• sound-effects-channels
• music-playback-midi-xmi-conversion

Gameplay Systems

• aabb-collision-detection
• tile-based-physics-gravity
• player-controller-claw-movement
• enemy-ai-behaviours
• pickups-score-health
• checkpoints-level-transitions

Tooling, Build & Distribution

• asset-extraction-pipeline
• logging-in-game-console
• profiling-performance-tuning
• continuous-integration-for-c
• packaging-for-windows-linux-macos
• contributing-to-the-openclaw-repo

Resources

See resources.md.

Project ideas

• Write a standalone CLI tool in C++ that extracts and converts OpenClaw PID sprites into modern PNG spritesheets.
• Build a minimal SDL2 2D platformer skeleton (game loop + AABB collision + parallax) that mirrors OpenClaw’s core architecture.
• Use Ghidra to reverse one Captain Claw level (WWD) format field-by-field and document the byte layout in a spec.