fix: connection stability — stop node reconnect storms, fix bootstrap token handling (#287)

* fix: connection stability — stop node reconnect storms, fix bootstrap token handling

Critical fixes for connection management bugs introduced in PR #272:

1. Node reconnect storm during pairing (WindowsNodeClient)
   - Added ShouldAutoReconnect() override with _pairingBlocked flag
   - Flag survives OnDisconnected() (which clears _isPendingApproval)
   - Added rate-limit detection for terminal auth errors
   - Marked _pairingBlocked/_rateLimited as volatile for thread safety
   - Clear _rateLimited on successful hello-ok (transient, not permanent)

2. Backoff jitter (WebSocketClientBase)
   - Added 0-25% random jitter to prevent thundering herd when
     operator + node clients reconnect simultaneously

3. Client leak on reinitialize (App.xaml.cs)
   - Added _gatewayClient?.Dispose() before creating new client
   - Old clients were keeping reconnect loops alive as zombies

4. Bootstrap token not saved as Settings.Token
   - Setup code decoder no longer persists bootstrap to Settings.Token
   - Prevents reconnect storms on app restart with stale bootstrap token
   - TestConnection skips writing bootstrap value to Settings.Token
   - InitializeGatewayClient falls back to BootstrapToken for bootstrap flow

5. Token PasswordBox → TextBox
   - Users can see what they pasted (SetupWizardWindow + ConnectionPage)

6. Clear stale tray data on disconnect
   - Sessions/channels/nodes/models cleared when disconnected/error
   - Tray menu no longer shows old data alongside 'Disconnected'

7. Onboarding UX fixes
   - Removed disruptive auto-paste-on-focus from setup code field
   - Setup code state only updates on valid decode (prevents focus loss)
   - Added 'Relaunch First-Run Setup' button to Debug page

Co-authored-by: Copilot <223556219+Copilot@users.noreply.github.com>

* test: increase PowerShell echo test timeout to 30s for slow CI runners

Co-authored-by: Copilot <223556219+Copilot@users.noreply.github.com>

---------

Co-authored-by: Copilot <223556219+Copilot@users.noreply.github.com>

Author: ranjeshj

src/OpenClaw.Shared/WebSocketClientBase.cs

@@ -251,6 +251,10 @@ protected async Task ReconnectWithBackoffAsync()
             while (!_disposed && !_cts.Token.IsCancellationRequested && ShouldAutoReconnect())
             {
                 var delay = BackoffMs[Math.Min(_reconnectAttempts, BackoffMs.Length - 1)];
+                // Add 0-25% jitter to prevent thundering herd when multiple clients
+                // (operator + node) reconnect on the same schedule
+                var jitter = Random.Shared.Next(0, delay / 4);
+                delay += jitter;
                 _reconnectAttempts++;
                 _logger.Warn($"{ClientRole} reconnecting in {delay}ms (attempt {_reconnectAttempts})");
                 RaiseStatusChanged(ConnectionStatus.Connecting);

src/OpenClaw.Shared/WindowsNodeClient.cs

@@ -30,6 +30,10 @@ public class WindowsNodeClient : WebSocketClientBase
     private bool _isPaired;
     // Bridges the gap between an approval event and the next hello-ok when the gateway omits auth.deviceToken.
     private bool _pairingApprovedAwaitingReconnect;
+    // Persists across disconnect/error so ShouldAutoReconnect can block reconnect
+    // even after OnDisconnected clears _isPendingApproval.
+    private volatile bool _pairingBlocked;
+    private volatile bool _rateLimited;
     private readonly string _gatewayToken;
     private readonly string? _bootstrapToken;
 
@@ -277,6 +281,7 @@ private void HandlePairingRequestedEvent(JsonElement root, string? eventType)
 
         _isPendingApproval = true;
         _isPaired = false;
+        _pairingBlocked = true;
         _pairingApprovedAwaitingReconnect = false;
 
         _logger.Info($"[NODE] Pairing requested for this device via {eventType}");
@@ -310,6 +315,7 @@ private async Task HandlePairingResolvedEventAsync(JsonElement root, string? eve
         {
             _isPendingApproval = false;
             _isPaired = true;
+            _pairingBlocked = false; // Allow reconnect after approval
             _pairingApprovedAwaitingReconnect = true;
 
             PairingStatusChanged?.Invoke(this, new PairingStatusEventArgs(
@@ -603,6 +609,7 @@ private void HandleResponse(JsonElement root)
             PublishGatewaySelf(GatewaySelfInfo.FromHelloOk(payload));
             var reconnectingAfterApproval = _pairingApprovedAwaitingReconnect;
             _isConnected = true;
+            _rateLimited = false; // Clear transient rate-limit on successful connect
             ResetReconnectAttempts();
 
             // Extract node ID if returned
@@ -654,6 +661,7 @@ private void HandleResponse(JsonElement root)
                     {
                         _isPendingApproval = true;
                         _isPaired = false;
+                        _pairingBlocked = true;
                         _logger.Info("Not yet paired - check 'openclaw devices list' for pending approval");
                         _logger.Info($"To approve, run: openclaw devices approve {_deviceIdentity.DeviceId}");
                         PairingStatusChanged?.Invoke(this, new PairingStatusEventArgs(
@@ -717,6 +725,7 @@ private void HandleRequestError(JsonElement root)
 
             _isPendingApproval = true;
             _isPaired = false;
+            _pairingBlocked = true;
             _pairingApprovedAwaitingReconnect = false;
 
             var detail = !string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(pairingRequestId)
@@ -731,6 +740,18 @@ private void HandleRequestError(JsonElement root)
             return;
         }
 
+        // Rate-limit / terminal auth errors — stop reconnecting
+        if (error.Contains("too many failed", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase) ||
+            error.Contains("rate limit", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase) ||
+            error.Contains("origin not allowed", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase) ||
+            error.Contains("token mismatch", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
+        {
+            _rateLimited = true;
+            _logger.Warn($"[NODE] Terminal auth error; stopping reconnect. Error: {error}");
+            RaiseStatusChanged(ConnectionStatus.Error);
+            return;
+        }
+
         _logger.Error($"Node registration failed: {error} (code: {errorCode})");
         RaiseStatusChanged(ConnectionStatus.Error);
     }
@@ -997,6 +1018,20 @@ private void PublishGatewaySelf(GatewaySelfInfo info)
         GatewaySelfUpdated?.Invoke(this, info);
     }
 
+    protected override bool ShouldAutoReconnect()
+    {
+        // Don't reconnect while awaiting pairing approval — each reconnect
+        // generates a new pairing request on the gateway, causing a storm.
+        // _pairingBlocked survives OnDisconnected (which clears _isPendingApproval).
+        if (_pairingBlocked)
+            return false;
+
+        if (_rateLimited)
+            return false;
+
+        return true;
+    }
+
     protected override void OnDisconnected()
     {
         _isConnected = false;

src/OpenClaw.Tray.WinUI/App.xaml.cs

@@ -1494,19 +1494,30 @@ private void InitializeGatewayClient(bool useBootstrapHandoffAuth = false)
             return;
         }
 
-        if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(_settings.Token))
+        // Need either a regular token or a bootstrap token to connect
+        var effectiveToken = _settings.Token;
+        if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(effectiveToken))
         {
-            Logger.Info("Gateway token not configured — skipping operator client initialization");
-            return;
+            if (useBootstrapHandoffAuth && !string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(_settings.BootstrapToken))
+            {
+                // Bootstrap-only flow (setup code / QR): use bootstrap token for initial pairing
+                effectiveToken = _settings.BootstrapToken;
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                Logger.Info("Gateway token not configured — skipping operator client initialization");
+                return;
+            }
         }
 
         // Unsubscribe from old client if exists
         UnsubscribeGatewayEvents();
+        _gatewayClient?.Dispose();
         _lastGatewaySelf = null;
 
         _gatewayClient = new OpenClawGatewayClient(
             gatewayUrl,
-            _settings.Token,
+            effectiveToken,
             new AppLogger(),
             useBootstrapHandoffAuth);
         _gatewayClient.SetUserRules(_settings.UserRules.Count > 0 ? _settings.UserRules : null);
@@ -1947,6 +1958,19 @@ private void OnConnectionStatusChanged(object? sender, ConnectionStatus status)
             if (_hubWindow != null && !_hubWindow.IsClosed)
                 _hubWindow.LastAuthError = null;
         }
+
+        // Clear stale data when disconnected so tray menu doesn't show old sessions/nodes
+        if (status == ConnectionStatus.Disconnected || status == ConnectionStatus.Error)
+        {
+            _lastSessions = Array.Empty<SessionInfo>();
+            _lastChannels = Array.Empty<ChannelHealth>();
+            _lastNodes = Array.Empty<GatewayNodeInfo>();
+            _lastNodePairList = null;
+            _lastDevicePairList = null;
+            _lastModelsList = null;
+            _lastGatewaySelf = null;
+        }
+
         UpdateTrayIcon();
         _dispatcherQueue?.TryEnqueue(UpdateStatusDetailWindow);
 
@@ -2506,6 +2530,7 @@ private void ShowHub(string? navigateTo = null)
             _hubWindow.OpenDashboardAction = OpenDashboard;
             _hubWindow.CheckForUpdatesAction = () => _ = CheckForUpdatesUserInitiatedAsync();
             _hubWindow.QuickSendAction = () => ShowQuickSend();
+            _hubWindow.OpenSetupAction = () => _ = ShowOnboardingAsync();
             _hubWindow.ConnectAction = () =>
             {
                 InitializeGatewayClient();

src/OpenClaw.Tray.WinUI/Onboarding/Pages/ConnectionPage.cs

@@ -136,21 +136,23 @@ void SelectMode(ConnectionMode m)
 
         void OnSetupCodeChanged(string code)
         {
-            setSetupCode(code);
             if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(code)) return;
 
             var result = SetupCodeDecoder.Decode(code);
 
             if (!result.Success)
             {
-                // Not a valid setup code — user might be still typing
+                // Not a valid setup code — user might be still typing.
+                // Don't call setSetupCode here to avoid re-render that steals focus.
                 if (code.Length > 2048)
                     Logger.Warn("[Connection] Setup code rejected: exceeds 2048 character limit");
                 else
                     Logger.Debug($"[Connection] Setup code parse attempt failed: {result.Error}");
                 return;
             }
 
+            // Valid setup code decoded — now update state (will re-render)
+            setSetupCode(code);
             if (result.Url != null)
             {
                 setUrl(result.Url);
@@ -159,7 +161,8 @@ void OnSetupCodeChanged(string code)
             if (result.Token != null)
             {
                 setToken(result.Token);
-                Props.Settings.Token = result.Token;
+                // Bootstrap token goes to BootstrapToken only — it's single-use for pairing.
+                // Don't save as Settings.Token (causes reconnect storms on restart).
                 Props.Settings.BootstrapToken = result.Token;
             }
             setStatusMsg($"✅ {LocalizationHelper.GetString("Onboarding_Connection_StatusDecoded")}");
@@ -205,7 +208,13 @@ bool TryCopyPairingCommand(string command)
         async void TestConnection()
         {
             Props.Settings.GatewayUrl = url;
-            Props.Settings.Token = token;
+            // Only save to Settings.Token if the user entered a manual token,
+            // not a decoded bootstrap token (which belongs in BootstrapToken only).
+            if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(Props.Settings.BootstrapToken) ||
+                !string.Equals(token, Props.Settings.BootstrapToken, StringComparison.Ordinal))
+            {
+                Props.Settings.Token = token;
+            }
 
             // When SSH mode, start the managed tunnel before health-checking the local URL.
             if (mode == ConnectionMode.Ssh)
@@ -473,40 +482,14 @@ void PasteSetupCode()
                 catch { /* clipboard unavailable — ignore */ }
             }
 
-            // Setup code row: TextField + Paste + QR buttons (Grid keeps the field expanding)
+            // Setup code row: TextField + Paste + QR buttons
             cardChildren.Add(
                 Grid(["1*", "Auto", "Auto"], ["Auto"],
                     TextField(setupCode, OnSetupCodeChanged,
                         placeholder: LocalizationHelper.GetString("Onboarding_Connection_SetupCodePlaceholder"),
                         header: LocalizationHelper.GetString("Onboarding_Connection_SetupCode"))
-                        .OnGotFocus((sender, _) =>
-                        {
-                            if (sender is Microsoft.UI.Xaml.Controls.TextBox tb && string.IsNullOrEmpty(tb.Text))
-                            {
-                                try
-                                {
-                                    var content = global::Windows.ApplicationModel.DataTransfer.Clipboard.GetContent();
-                                    if (content.Contains(global::Windows.ApplicationModel.DataTransfer.StandardDataFormats.Text))
-                                    {
-                                        var task = content.GetTextAsync();
-                                        task.Completed = (op, status) =>
-                                        {
-                                            if (status == global::Windows.Foundation.AsyncStatus.Completed)
-                                            {
-                                                var text = op.GetResults();
-                                                tb.DispatcherQueue.TryEnqueue(() =>
-                                                {
-                                                    tb.Text = text;
-                                                    OnSetupCodeChanged(text);
-                                                });
-                                            }
-                                        };
-                                    }
-                                }
-                                catch { }
-                            }
-                        })
-                        .Grid(row: 0, column: 0),
+                        .Grid(row: 0, column: 0)
+                        .Set(tb => Microsoft.UI.Xaml.Automation.AutomationProperties.SetAutomationId(tb, "OnboardingSetupCode")),
                     Button(LocalizationHelper.GetString("Onboarding_Connection_PasteSetup"), PasteSetupCode)
                         .VAlign(VerticalAlignment.Bottom)
                         .Margin(6, 0, 0, 0)

src/OpenClaw.Tray.WinUI/Pages/ConnectionPage.xaml

@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@
                                     <ColumnDefinition Width="Auto"/>
                                     <ColumnDefinition Width="Auto"/>
                                 </Grid.ColumnDefinitions>
-                                <PasswordBox x:Uid="TokenPromptBox" x:Name="TokenPromptBox" Grid.Column="0"
+                                <TextBox x:Uid="TokenPromptBox" x:Name="TokenPromptBox" Grid.Column="0"
                                              PlaceholderText="Gateway token" Header="Token"/>
                                 <Button x:Uid="ConnectionPage_Button_105" Grid.Column="1" Content="Cancel"
                                         VerticalAlignment="Bottom" Click="OnCancelTokenPrompt"/>

src/OpenClaw.Tray.WinUI/Pages/ConnectionPage.xaml.cs

@@ -473,14 +473,14 @@ private void OnConnectToGateway(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
         _pendingGatewayUrl = gw.ConnectionUrl;
         _pendingGatewayId = gw.Id;
         TokenPromptText.Text = $"Connect to gateway at {gw.Host}:{gw.Port}";
-        TokenPromptBox.Password = _hub.Settings.Token ?? "";
+        TokenPromptBox.Text = _hub.Settings.Token ?? "";
         TokenPromptPanel.Visibility = Visibility.Visible;
         TokenPromptBox.Focus(Microsoft.UI.Xaml.FocusState.Programmatic);
     }
 
     private void OnConnectWithToken(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
     {
-        var token = TokenPromptBox.Password?.Trim();
+        var token = TokenPromptBox.Text?.Trim();
         if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(token) || _hub?.Settings == null || string.IsNullOrEmpty(_pendingGatewayUrl))
             return;
 
@@ -535,10 +535,9 @@ private void OnApplySetupCode(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
             settings.GatewayUrl = result.Url;
         if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(result.Token))
         {
+            // Bootstrap token goes to BootstrapToken only — it's single-use for pairing.
+            // Don't save it as Settings.Token, which would cause reconnect storms on restart.
             settings.BootstrapToken = result.Token;
-            // Also set as the operator token so InitializeGatewayClient can connect
-            if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(settings.Token))
-                settings.Token = result.Token;
         }
 
         settings.Save();

src/OpenClaw.Tray.WinUI/Pages/DebugPage.xaml

@@ -113,6 +113,7 @@
                     <Button x:Uid="DebugPage_Button_113" Content="📁 Open Diagnostics Folder" Click="OnOpenDiagnosticsFolder" HorizontalAlignment="Stretch"/>
                     <Button x:Uid="DebugPage_Button_114" Content="📋 Copy Support Context" Click="OnCopySupportContext"
                             Style="{ThemeResource AccentButtonStyle}" HorizontalAlignment="Stretch"/>
+                    <Button Content="🔄 Relaunch First-Run Setup" Click="OnRelaunchOnboarding" HorizontalAlignment="Stretch"/>
                 </StackPanel>
             </Expander>
 

src/OpenClaw.Tray.WinUI/Pages/DebugPage.xaml.cs

@@ -196,4 +196,9 @@ private void OnCopySupportContext(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
             timer.Start();
         }
     }
+
+    private void OnRelaunchOnboarding(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
+    {
+        _hub?.OpenSetupAction?.Invoke();
+    }
 }

src/OpenClaw.Tray.WinUI/Windows/HubWindow.xaml.cs

@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ public sealed partial class HubWindow : WindowEx
     public Action? ConnectAction { get; set; }
     public Action? DisconnectAction { get; set; }
     public Action? ReconnectAction { get; set; }
+    public Action? OpenSetupAction { get; set; }
 
     // Node service state (set by App.xaml.cs in ShowHub)
     public bool NodeIsConnected { get; set; }

src/OpenClaw.Tray.WinUI/Windows/SetupWizardWindow.cs

@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ public sealed class SetupWizardWindow : WindowEx
     // Step 0: Setup code + manual entry
     private readonly TextBox _setupCodeBox;
     private readonly TextBox _gatewayUrlBox;
-    private readonly PasswordBox _tokenBox;
+    private readonly TextBox _tokenBox;
     private readonly TextBlock _testStatusLabel;
     private readonly Button _testButton;
     private readonly StackPanel _manualEntryPanel;
@@ -196,17 +196,17 @@ public SetupWizardWindow(SettingsManager settings)
             Style = (Style)Application.Current.Resources["CaptionTextBlockStyle"],
             Foreground = (SolidColorBrush)Application.Current.Resources["TextFillColorSecondaryBrush"]
         });
-        _tokenBox = new PasswordBox
+        _tokenBox = new TextBox
         {
             Header = LocalizationHelper.GetString("Setup_TokenHeader"),
             PlaceholderText = LocalizationHelper.GetString("Setup_TokenPlaceholder"),
-            Password = _draftToken
+            Text = _draftToken
         };
         AutomationProperties.SetAutomationId(_tokenBox, "TokenBox");
-        _tokenBox.PasswordChanged += (s, e) => _connectionTested = false;
-        _tokenBox.PasswordChanged += (s, e) =>
+        _tokenBox.TextChanged += (s, e) => _connectionTested = false;
+        _tokenBox.TextChanged += (s, e) =>
         {
-            _draftToken = _tokenBox.Password;
+            _draftToken = _tokenBox.Text;
             UpdatePairingStatusText();
         };
         _manualEntryPanel.Children.Add(_tokenBox);
@@ -718,7 +718,7 @@ private void UpdateNodeModePairingVisibility(bool showPairing)
     private async void OnTestConnection(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
     {
         _draftGatewayUrl = _gatewayUrlBox.Text.Trim();
-        _draftToken = _tokenBox.Password;
+        _draftToken = _tokenBox.Text;
         UpdatePairingStatusText();
 
         if (!GatewayUrlHelper.IsValidGatewayUrl(_draftGatewayUrl))