diff --git a/docs/gateway/configuration-reference.md b/docs/gateway/configuration-reference.md
index 6692586dc8b0..dd8615a05148 100644
--- a/docs/gateway/configuration-reference.md
+++ b/docs/gateway/configuration-reference.md
@@ -761,9 +761,7 @@ See [Multiple Gateways](/gateway/multiple-gateways).
 {
   gateway: {
     reload: {
-      mode: "hybrid", // off | restart | hot | hybrid
-      debounceMs: 500,
-      deferralTimeoutMs: 300000,
+      mode: "hybrid", // off | hybrid
     },
   },
 }
@@ -771,11 +769,11 @@ See [Multiple Gateways](/gateway/multiple-gateways).
 
 - `mode`: controls how config edits are applied at runtime.
   - `"off"`: ignore live edits; changes require an explicit restart.
-  - `"restart"`: always restart the gateway process on config change.
-  - `"hot"`: apply changes in-process without restarting.
-  - `"hybrid"` (default): try hot reload first; fall back to restart if required.
-- `debounceMs`: debounce window in ms before config changes are applied (non-negative integer; default: `300`).
-- `deferralTimeoutMs`: optional maximum time in ms to wait for in-flight operations before forcing a restart or channel hot reload. Omit it to use the default bounded wait (`300000`); set `0` to wait indefinitely and log periodic still-pending warnings.
+  - `"hybrid"` (default): apply hot-safe changes in-process, then restart when a change requires it.
+
+The earlier `"restart"` and `"hot"` values are retired; [`openclaw doctor --fix`](/cli/doctor) maps both to `"hybrid"`.
+
+Reload debounce and in-flight operation deferral are no longer configurable and run behind built-in defaults. [`openclaw doctor --fix`](/cli/doctor) removes the retired `debounceMs` and `deferralTimeoutMs` keys from older config files.
 
 ---
 
diff --git a/docs/gateway/configuration.md b/docs/gateway/configuration.md
index ebe3e03f301d..d594a712d7f2 100644
--- a/docs/gateway/configuration.md
+++ b/docs/gateway/configuration.md
@@ -535,21 +535,21 @@ for the checklist.
 
 ### Reload modes
 
-| Mode                   | Behavior                                                                                |
-| ---------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
-| **`hybrid`** (default) | Hot-applies safe changes instantly. Automatically restarts for critical ones.           |
-| **`hot`**              | Hot-applies safe changes only. Logs a warning when a restart is needed - you handle it. |
-| **`restart`**          | Restarts the Gateway on any config change, safe or not.                                 |
-| **`off`**              | Disables file watching. Changes take effect on the next manual restart.                 |
+| Mode                   | Behavior                                                                      |
+| ---------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
+| **`hybrid`** (default) | Hot-applies safe changes instantly. Automatically restarts for critical ones. |
+| **`off`**              | Disables file watching. Changes take effect on the next manual restart.       |
 
 ```json5
 {
   gateway: {
-    reload: { mode: "hybrid", debounceMs: 300 },
+    reload: { mode: "hybrid" },
   },
 }
 ```
 
+The earlier `hot` and `restart` modes are retired; [`openclaw doctor --fix`](/cli/doctor) maps both to `hybrid`. Reload debounce is no longer configurable and runs behind a built-in default.
+
 ### What hot-applies vs what needs a restart
 
 Most fields hot-apply without downtime; some hot-applied sections restart just that
diff --git a/docs/gateway/index.md b/docs/gateway/index.md
index 7ba812a95382..2662c999d614 100644
--- a/docs/gateway/index.md
+++ b/docs/gateway/index.md
@@ -113,10 +113,10 @@ Gateway startup uses the same effective port and bind when it seeds local Contro
 | `gateway.reload.mode` | Behavior                                   |
 | --------------------- | ------------------------------------------ |
 | `off`                 | No config reload                           |
-| `hot`                 | Apply only hot-safe changes                |
-| `restart`             | Restart on reload-required changes         |
 | `hybrid` (default)    | Hot-apply when safe, restart when required |
 
+The earlier `hot` and `restart` modes are retired; [`openclaw doctor --fix`](/cli/doctor) maps both to `hybrid`.
+
 ## Operator command set
 
 ```bash
diff --git a/docs/help/faq.md b/docs/help/faq.md
index a0561dec8a6e..e1dbec379309 100644
--- a/docs/help/faq.md
+++ b/docs/help/faq.md
@@ -592,7 +592,7 @@ First-run Q&A - install, onboard, auth routes, subscriptions, initial failures -
   </Accordion>
 
   <Accordion title="Do I have to restart after changing config?">
-    The Gateway watches the config and supports hot-reload: `gateway.reload.mode: "hybrid"` (default) hot-applies safe changes and restarts for critical ones. `hot`, `restart`, and `off` are also supported. Most `tools.*`, `agents.*` policy, `session.*`, and `messages.*` changes apply immediately with no reload action at all; `gateway.*` binding/port changes require a restart.
+    The Gateway watches the config and supports hot-reload: `gateway.reload.mode: "hybrid"` (default) hot-applies safe changes and restarts for critical ones. `off` disables config reload; the earlier `hot` and `restart` modes are retired. Most `tools.*`, `agents.*` policy, `session.*`, and `messages.*` changes apply immediately with no reload action at all; `gateway.*` binding/port changes require a restart.
   </Accordion>
 
   <Accordion title="How do I enable web search (and web fetch)?">