## What is the CarsXE Skill for OpenClaw?

[OpenClaw](https://openclaw.ai) is an AI agent platform that extends a conversational AI into a capable assistant through a skill system. The CarsXE skill gives your OpenClaw agent comprehensive automotive data capabilities — decode VINs, look up license plates, get market values, check vehicle history, recalls, lien and theft records, OBD codes, and more, all without leaving your agent environment.

Skills are installed from [Clawhub](https://clawhub.ai), OpenClaw's official skill marketplace. The CarsXE skill is listed at [CarsXE](https://clawhub.ai/carsxe/carsxe).

## Installation

Install the CarsXE skill from Clawhub with a single command:

<CodeGroup title="Terminal">
```bash
openclaw skills install carsxe
```
</CodeGroup>

## Setup

### Set Your CarsXE API Key

After installation, configure the skill with your CarsXE API key:

<CodeGroup title="Terminal">
```bash
openclaw config set skills.entries.carsxe.env.CARSXE_KEY "cxe_live_YOUR_KEY"
```
</CodeGroup>

Then restart the OpenClaw gateway for the change to take effect.

Don't have an API key yet? Get one from the [CarsXE developer dashboard](/dashboard/developer).

### Verify the Key is Set

The skill reads your key from the `CARSXE_KEY` environment variable. If it is missing or empty, OpenClaw will display an error. Re-run the config command above with your actual key and restart the gateway.

## Usage Examples

The skill is auto-invoked based on context — just describe what you need naturally. OpenClaw selects the right endpoint and chains requests when required.

### Decode a VIN

<CopyableText>What are the specs for VIN WBAFR7C57CC811956?</CopyableText>

### Decode a License Plate

<CopyableText>Decode California plate 7XER187.</CopyableText>

### Get Market Value

<CopyableText>What's my car worth? VIN WBAFR7C57CC811956, 45k miles, clean condition, California.</CopyableText>

### Check Safety Recalls

<CopyableText>Does VIN 1C4JJXR64PW696340 have any open safety recalls?</CopyableText>

### Lien and Theft Check

<CopyableText>Check liens and theft records for VIN WBAFR7C57CC811956.</CopyableText>

### Vehicle History Report

<CopyableText>Show me the full history report for VIN WBAFR7C57CC811956.</CopyableText>

### Decode an International VIN

<CopyableText>Decode this international VIN: WF0MXXGBWM8R43240.</CopyableText>

### Year/Make/Model Lookup

<CopyableText>Look up a 2020 Toyota Camry LE.</CopyableText>

### OBD Code Diagnosis

<CopyableText>My check engine light shows P0300 — what does that mean?</CopyableText>

### VIN from a Photo

<CopyableText>Extract the VIN from this photo: https://example.com/vin.jpg</CopyableText>

### Plate from a Photo

<CopyableText>Extract the plate number from this photo: https://example.com/plate.jpg</CopyableText>

### Vehicle Images

<CopyableText>Get vehicle images for a 2019 BMW X5.</CopyableText>

## Chained Requests

The skill automatically chains multiple API calls when a query requires it. For example:

**"Is this plate stolen and does it have open recalls?"**

1. `GET /v2/platedecoder` — resolve the plate to a VIN
2. `GET /v1/lien-theft` + `GET /v1/recalls` — run both checks in parallel against the VIN

OpenClaw handles the chaining transparently and presents a combined result.

## Error Handling

| HTTP Status | Meaning | What Happens |
| ----------- | ------- | ------------ |
| `401` / `invalid key` | Bad or missing API key | OpenClaw prompts you to set the key via `openclaw config set` |
| `404` / `no results` | VIN or plate not found | You are informed and asked to double-check the input |
| `429` | Rate limit exceeded | The skill waits and retries automatically |
| `5xx` | Server error | Retried once; error is reported if it persists |

> The skill also checks the `error` field in JSON responses — CarsXE can return HTTP 200 with an error body, and these are caught and surfaced to you.

## Managing the Skill

### Update the Skill

<CodeGroup title="Terminal">
```bash
openclaw skills update carsxe
```
</CodeGroup>

### Disable Without Removing

<CodeGroup title="openclaw.json">
```json
{
  "skills": {
    "carsxe": {
      "enabled": false
    }
  }
}
```
</CodeGroup>

## Troubleshooting

**Authentication error / invalid key**

- Run `openclaw config set skills.entries.carsxe.env.CARSXE_KEY "cxe_live_YOUR_KEY"` with your actual key
- Restart the OpenClaw gateway after updating the key
- Ensure your CarsXE account has an active subscription

**Skill not found after install**

- Restart your OpenClaw session
- Verify installation with `openclaw skills list`
- Check that `carsxe` is listed as `enabled: true` in your `openclaw.json`

**Tool not being auto-invoked**

- Ensure the skill is enabled in `openclaw.json`
- Restart the gateway to reload the skill registry
- Describe your request more specifically if the skill is not triggering

### Getting Help

- **Clawhub listing**: [carsxe](https://clawhub.ai/carsxe/carsxe)
- **CarsXE documentation**: [Full API Documentation](/docs)
- **Support**: [Contact Support](/support)

Ready to power your OpenClaw agent with comprehensive vehicle data from CarsXE!