diff --git a/docs/cli/config.md b/docs/cli/config.md
index f4925ca76f04..358408e63b0a 100644
--- a/docs/cli/config.md
+++ b/docs/cli/config.md
@@ -60,7 +60,9 @@ openclaw config set 'agents.entries.work.tools.exec.node' "node-id-or-name"
 
 Reads a value from the redacted config snapshot (secrets never print). `--json` prints the same redacted value as JSON; otherwise strings/numbers/booleans print bare and objects/arrays print as formatted JSON.
 
-When the path is missing, `--json` writes `{ "error": "Config path not found: <path>" }` to stdout and exits with status 1. Without `--json`, the diagnostic remains on stderr.
+A schema-valid but unset path explains that the runtime default applies; an unknown path suggests
+`openclaw config schema`. With `--json`, both use the standard [CLI JSON failure envelope](/cli#json-failures)
+on stdout and exit with status 1. Without `--json`, diagnostics remain on stderr.
 
 ```bash
 openclaw config get browser.executablePath
diff --git a/docs/cli/directory.md b/docs/cli/directory.md
index 8370bf4663ea..5f073d21677c 100644
--- a/docs/cli/directory.md
+++ b/docs/cli/directory.md
@@ -19,8 +19,9 @@ Results are meant to be pasted into other commands, especially `openclaw message
 - `--json`: output JSON
 
 Default output renders IDs and names in a table. Empty list results name the channel and account
-that were queried; JSON list output uses an empty array (`[]`). Failures exit nonzero and use an
-`{ "error": "..." }` object in JSON mode.
+that were queried; JSON list output uses an empty array (`[]`). Failures exit nonzero and use the
+canonical `{ "ok": false, "error": { "type": "cli_error", "message": "..." } }` envelope in
+JSON mode.
 
 ## Notes