# Day 2: Quick Start *"Don't be intimidated by the word 'deploy.' If you can make a bowl of instant noodles, you can build an AI assistant. About the same amount of time—10 minutes."* By [CloudClaw](https://paragraph.com/@cloudclaw) · 2026-04-10 --- **Chapter Overview** -------------------- Today you'll complete: * Choosing your assistant's runtime environment (MyClaw Cloud or self-hosted) * Getting your AI model API Key * Connecting Telegram as your chat channel * Sending your first message to your AI assistant * * * **Today's Goal** ---------------- By the end of today, you'll receive a message on your phone from your AI assistant. Not someone else's assistant, not some platform's bot—your own, belonging only to you. Ready? Let's begin. * * * **Choose Your Runtime Environment** ----------------------------------- First, you need a place for your assistant to "live." **MyClaw Cloud:** The fastest way to get started. Pick a plan (Lite, Pro, or Max), and your OpenClaw instance is provisioned automatically on dedicated cloud infrastructure. No server management, no SSH, no Linux commands. Your instance is online 24/7, auto-updated, and backed up. Just sign up, subscribe, and your assistant is ready in minutes. Go to your [MyClaw Dashboard](https://myclaw.ai/dashboard) to create your instance. **Self-hosted:** Rent a cloud server (any VPS provider) or use a spare computer at home. You get full root access and complete control. **Recommended specs:** **Spec** **Recommended** OS Ubuntu 22.04 LTS CPU 2 cores RAM 4GB Disk 40GB SSD Price Starting from ~$5/month on most VPS providers **Other options:** * **Mac Mini / Old Laptop**: Zero extra cost, data stays completely at home. Needs to stay powered on. * **Your Current Computer**: Zero barrier, start immediately. Goes offline when you shut down—suitable for trying things out. * * * **Preparation** --------------- Before setting up, prepare these two things—you'll need them regardless of which path you choose: ### **1\. AI Model Access (choose one)** * If you have a Claude subscription (Pro/Max/Team), you can OAuth login during setup—no API Key needed * Otherwise, go to [console.anthropic.com](http://console.anthropic.com) to create an API Key (pay as you go) > **_Supported Models_**_: Besides Anthropic Claude (recommended), OpenClaw also supports OpenAI GPT, Google Gemini, xAI Grok, and many others via OpenRouter. But Claude is the first choice for best results._ ### **2\. Telegram Bot Token** Open Telegram, search for **@BotFather**, send `/newbot`: You: /newbot BotFather: Alright, a new bot. How are we going to call it? You: My AI Assistant BotFather: Good. Now let's choose a username... You: my_ai_assistant_bot BotFather: Done! ... Use this token to access the HTTP API: 7234567890:AAHxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Copy this token and save it for later. > **_Why Telegram?_** _Three reasons: (1) creating a Bot is free; (2) the API has the most features (supports buttons, files, voice...); (3) you can use it on any device._ ### **Get Your Telegram User ID** In Telegram, search for **@userinfobot**—it will tell you your numeric ID. Note it down. This is used to restrict who can talk to your assistant, preventing others from using up your API quota. * * * **Set Up Your Assistant** ------------------------- **MyClaw Cloud:** After subscribing, go to your [Dashboard](https://myclaw.ai/dashboard). Your OpenClaw instance is already provisioned. From the dashboard you can: 1. **Configure your AI model**: Enter your API Key or connect via OAuth in the settings panel 2. **Connect Telegram**: Paste your Bot Token and Telegram user ID in the channel configuration 3. **Start your instance**: Click the start button — your assistant goes online immediately The dashboard provides a visual interface for everything — no terminal commands needed. You can monitor your instance status, view logs, and manage configuration all from the web UI. **Self-hosted:** Open your terminal (SSH into your server if using a cloud VPS) and run: curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash That's it. One line. The install script handles all dependencies (Node.js, Git...), then launches the interactive setup wizard. **The wizard will ask you:** 1. **Choose Mode**: QuickStart (recommended) or Advanced 2. **Choose AI Model**: Claude recommended. Connect via setup-token (if you have a subscription) or API Key 3. **Configure Chat Channel**: Choose Telegram, paste the Bot Token 4. **Set Admin**: Enter your Telegram user ID 5. **Install Background Daemon**: Choose Yes — this runs your assistant in the background, starts on boot **If you're on Mac**, install Homebrew first if you don't have it: /bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)" **If you're on Windows**, install WSL2 first (open PowerShell as Administrator, run `wsl --install`), then work inside WSL. * * * **Your Assistant Is Online** ---------------------------- **MyClaw Cloud:** Check your Dashboard — when the instance status shows "Running," your assistant is live. You can view real-time logs and health status directly from the dashboard. **Self-hosted:** After the wizard completes, verify your assistant is running: openclaw gateway status If you see the Gateway is running, everything is ready. * * * **Send Your First Message** --------------------------- Open Telegram, find the Bot you just created, send a message: > _Hello! Who are you?_ Wait a few seconds—you'll receive a reply. **This moment might not have fireworks or celebrations. But you just did something meaningful: you now own an AI assistant running on your own infrastructure.** It's not a ChatGPT wrapper, not some platform's limited trial—it's completely, entirely yours. Try chatting a bit more: * "Write me a poem about cats" * "What's the square root of 1024?" * "Write a quicksort in Python" * "What should I do today?" (It'll say something generic—but that changes on Day 3) Right now, it's just an assistant that "can chat." But don't worry, over the next few days, we'll give it superpowers. * * * **Daily Management** -------------------- **MyClaw Cloud:** All management happens through your MyClaw Dashboard: * **Status monitoring**: Real-time instance health and uptime * **Logs**: View assistant activity and conversations * **Configuration**: Change model, channels, and settings through the UI * **Restart**: One-click restart from the dashboard if needed **Self-hosted:** You'll use these commands frequently: openclaw status # Check overall status openclaw gateway status # Check Gateway running status openclaw health # Health check openclaw configure # Reconfigure (change model, channels, etc.) openclaw daemon restart # Restart background service openclaw daemon logs # View runtime logs * * * **Troubleshooting Common Issues** --------------------------------- ### **Telegram Bot Not Responding** * Confirm Bot Token is correct * Confirm your user ID is in the admin list * Check logs (Dashboard for Cloud, `openclaw daemon logs` for self-hosted) * Confirm API Key is valid and has balance * First DM might need pairing approval — check your dashboard or run `openclaw pairing list telegram` ### **Want to Reconfigure?** **MyClaw Cloud:** Head to your Dashboard settings to change any configuration. **Self-hosted:** Rerun the wizard anytime: Or change a specific part: * * * **Key Takeaways** ----------------- * **Two paths to get started**: MyClaw Cloud (instant, managed) or self-hosted (full control) * **Telegram Bot**: Free to create, feature-rich API, works on any device * **Security first**: Set admin ID so only you can chat with the assistant * **Always online**: Whether cloud-managed or daemon-based, your assistant runs 24/7 * **Next step**: Give the assistant a soul — transform it from "generic AI" to "your AI" * * * **Today's Achievement** ----------------------- Give yourself a pat on the back—today you completed: * Chose your runtime environment * Set up OpenClaw (via MyClaw Cloud or self-hosted installation) * Created a Telegram Bot and connected successfully * Successfully chatted with your AI assistant **You now have an AI assistant online 24 hours a day.** Though it's still quite "generic" right now—like a new employee who just started, very capable but doesn't know you yet. Tomorrow, we give it a soul. * * * **Preview: Day 3 — Configure Your Assistant's Soul** ---------------------------------------------------- > _Three files transform your assistant from "generic AI" to "your AI."_ [_SOUL.md_](http://SOUL.md) _defines personality,_ [_USER.md_](http://USER.md) _describes who you are,_ [_AGENTS.md_](http://AGENTS.md) _sets its work habits. This is the most fun day of the entire 7 days—you'll create a one-of-a-kind AI character._ --- *Originally published on [CloudClaw](https://paragraph.com/@cloudclaw/day-2-quick-start)*