MODULE 1 30 minutes · Beginner

Meet Your Agent

Install OpenClaw, write your agent's personality in plain English, and have your first conversation.

What You'll Learn

In this first module, you'll go from zero to having your own AI agent running on your computer. By the end, you'll have:

  • OpenClaw installed and configured on your system
  • A custom AI agent with its own personality and background story
  • Your first real conversation with an AI you built yourself
  • Understanding of how AI agents think and respond

No coding required! Everything in this module can be done by writing plain English descriptions of what you want your agent to be like.

Installing OpenClaw

OpenClaw works on Windows, Mac, and Linux. The installation is straightforward and takes about 5 minutes.

Prerequisites

Before you start, make sure you have:

  • A computer with at least 4GB of RAM
  • An internet connection
  • An OpenAI, Anthropic, or local AI model API key (we'll help you get one)

Need more details? Check our comprehensive System Requirements & Setup Guide for cloud deployment, local models, hardware projects, and performance tips.

Step 1: Download OpenClaw

Visit openclaw.ai/download and choose your operating system. OpenClaw will automatically detect your system and suggest the right version.

Step 2: Run the Installer

The installer will:

  • Install OpenClaw and its dependencies
  • Set up your workspace folder
  • Walk you through getting an AI model API key
  • Test that everything works correctly
# On Mac/Linux, you can also install via terminal: curl -sSL https://install.openclaw.ai | sh

Step 3: First Run

Open OpenClaw and run the setup wizard. It will ask you:

  • Which AI model you want to use (Claude, ChatGPT, or local models)
  • Your API key (don't worry, this stays on your computer)
  • Basic preferences like your name and timezone

Designing Your Agent's Personality

This is where the magic happens. You'll write a personality description that turns a generic AI into YOUR agent.

Think About Your Ideal Assistant

Before you start writing, consider:

  • Tone: Formal and professional? Casual and friendly? Witty and sarcastic?
  • Expertise: What should your agent be particularly good at helping with?
  • Background: Give them a backstory that explains their knowledge and style
  • Quirks: What makes them unique and memorable?

Writing the Personality File

OpenClaw uses a simple text file called PERSONALITY.md to define your agent. Here's a template to get you started:

# My Agent's Personality ## Who I Am I'm [name], a [description]. I [key traits and background]. ## How I Help My specialties are: - [area 1] - [area 2] - [area 3] ## My Style - I speak [tone/style] - I [behavior trait] - I always [helpful habit] - I never [thing to avoid] ## Fun Facts - [interesting detail] - [hobby or interest] - [unique perspective]

Example: A Study Buddy Agent

# Study Buddy Personality ## Who I Am I'm Sam, a patient and encouraging study companion. I was a teaching assistant at a university for years before becoming an AI agent, so I understand the struggle of learning new concepts. ## How I Help My specialties are: - Breaking down complex topics into simple steps - Creating custom quizzes and flashcards - Tracking study progress and celebrating wins - Finding the best learning resources online ## My Style - I speak encouragingly but never talk down to you - I ask questions to help you think through problems - I always celebrate small wins along the way - I never give you answers directly—I guide you to find them ## Fun Facts - I'm obsessed with finding the perfect analogy for every concept - I collect interesting educational YouTube channels - I believe every subject can be made interesting with the right approach

Your First Conversation

Now for the exciting part—talking to your agent for the first time!

Starting the Chat

With OpenClaw installed and your personality file created, you can start chatting:

  1. Open OpenClaw
  2. Click "New Chat" or type in the message box
  3. Introduce yourself and see how your agent responds

Test Their Personality

Try asking questions that would reveal their personality:

  • "Tell me about yourself"
  • "What's your favorite way to explain difficult concepts?"
  • "How would you help me study for a math test?"

Refine and Iterate

Your first personality probably won't be perfect, and that's okay! Try these experiments:

  • Ask the same question multiple times—is the response consistent?
  • Test edge cases—how do they handle inappropriate requests?
  • See if they stay in character during longer conversations

Pro tip: You can edit the personality file and restart your agent to see changes immediately. Don't be afraid to experiment!

Congratulations!

You've just built your first AI agent! Take a moment to appreciate what you've accomplished:

  • You've installed and configured a powerful AI framework
  • You've designed a unique personality from scratch
  • You've had your first conversation with an AI you created

What's Next?

In Module 2, you'll give your agent superpowers by connecting it to the internet, weather services, and calculators. Your agent will learn to decide which tools to use and when.

Ready for Module 2?

Give your agent skills like web search, weather, and calculations.

Start Module 2 →