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We reported new findings, i.e., stimuli-responsivity, on the oligomer shell of aggregation-induced emission (AIE) type silver nanoclusters via thiol-induced chemical etching. The intriguing AIE properties of the lipoic acid-protected silver nanoclusters were initially determined with their large Stokes shift, microsecond-scale lifetime and a high content of Ag(I) components. Additionally, likely owing to shell-provided protection, they exhibited desired aqueous storage stability (over 3 months). By modulating solution pH and salinity, the oligomer shell rigidified/softened, resulting in enhancement/quenching of the AIE-based photoluminescence of the silver nanoclusters, accordingly. However, their featured UV–vis absorption remained relatively intact, demonstrating that the changes in photoluminescence are attributed to the transition of radiative and non-radiative energy of the silver nanoclusters. Interestingly, by …