PDF Guide · 10 Chapters · Updated May 2026
Build Your Own AI Agent
The complete step-by-step guide to setting up a 24/7 personal AI assistant with OpenClaw.
From bare metal to a working agent — every command, config file, and troubleshooting tip included.
What you get:
- ✓Hardware selection & setup (repurposed PC or mini server)
- ✓Ubuntu Server installation & SSH hardening
- ✓Node.js environment & OpenClaw gateway configuration
- ✓Telegram bot integration for mobile access
- ✓Gmail read/send with OAuth2
- ✓Browser automation for web tasks
- ✓Cloudflare tunnel for external connectivity
- ✓Cron scheduling & heartbeat monitoring
- ✓Persistent memory & session management
- ✓Troubleshooting guide with real error examples
What You'll Build
By the end of this guide, you'll have a fully functional AI agent running 24/7 on your own hardware — connected to Telegram, reading your email, deploying websites, running scheduled tasks, and remembering context across sessions.
The same setup that runs my own agent — for under $200 in hardware and $0/month in recurring costs.
FAQ
Do I need coding experience?
Basic terminal familiarity helps, but the guide walks through every command. If you can copy-paste, you can follow along.
What hardware do I need?
Any x86 machine that can run Ubuntu — a refurbished Dell OptiPlex (~$150), an old laptop, or a Raspberry Pi 5. The guide covers options.
Is there a subscription?
No. The guide is a one-time purchase. OpenClaw is open-source and free. LLM providers have generous free tiers.
Ready to build?
Get the guide and have your own AI agent running today.