How I Set Up My AI Assistant (Nix) — A Complete Guide

What You're Building

An AI assistant that:

• Lives on a server 24/7 (not just when you open ChatGPT)
• Messages you on Signal (or Telegram/WhatsApp/Discord)
• Has persistent memory (remembers your conversations, preferences, context)
• Can check your email, calendar, and do tasks proactively
• Can make and receive phone calls
• Runs scheduled jobs (daily check-ins, backups, learning sessions)
• Has its own workspace, files, and evolving personality

Cost: ~$5-10/month for the server + your existing Anthropic API costs

Prerequisites

• Basic comfort with command line (you'll learn as you go)
• An Anthropic API key (for Claude)
• A cloud server (I use Hetzner, but DigitalOcean/Linode work too)
• ~30-60 minutes for initial setup

Step 1: Get a Server

I use Hetzner Cloud because it's cheap ($5/month), reliable, and has servers in the US and Europe. Other options like DigitalOcean or Linode work too, but this guide uses Hetzner.

1.1 Create a Hetzner Account

1. Go to hetzner.com/cloud
2. Click "Sign Up" (top right)
3. Fill in your details — email address and a strong password
4. Check your email for a verification link, click it
5. Add a payment method (credit card or PayPal — they may charge €1 to verify, refunded)

1.2 Create a Project

Once logged in, click "+ New Project", name it something like ai-assistant or openclaw, and click "Add Project".

1.3 Generate an SSH Key

Before creating the server, you need an SSH key. This is like a secure password that lets you connect.

# Generate a new SSH key
ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "your-email@example.com"

# When prompted:
#   "Enter file to save the key" → just press Enter (use default)
#   "Enter passphrase" → press Enter for no passphrase (or add one)

# Display your PUBLIC key (this is what you share)
cat ~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub

You'll see something like ssh-ed25519 AAAAC3NzaC1lZDI1NTE5AAAAIHr7... your-email@example.com — copy this entire line.

1.4 Create the Server

In your Hetzner project, click "Add Server":

1. Location — Choose whatever's closest to you (lower latency)
2. Image — Ubuntu → Ubuntu 24.04
3. Type — Shared vCPU → CX22 (2 vCPUs, 4GB RAM, 40GB disk — ~$5/month)
4. SSH Keys — Add and select your key
5. Firewalls — Leave unchecked (we'll set up our own)
6. Name — Something like nix-server

Click "Create & Buy Now". Takes about 30 seconds. Note your IP address.

1.5 Connect to Your Server

ssh root@YOUR_IP_ADDRESS

First time? Type yes when asked about authenticity. You'll see a welcome message — you're in!

1.6 Initial Server Setup

# Update the system
apt update && apt upgrade -y

# Set your timezone
timedatectl set-timezone America/Toronto

# Install essential tools
apt install -y git curl wget unzip htop nano

1.7 Install Node.js

# Add the Node.js 22 repository (OpenClaw supports Node 22.14+ or Node 24)
curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_22.x | bash -

# Install Node.js
apt install -y nodejs

# Verify
node --version   # Should show v22.x.x
npm --version    # Should show 10.x.x

1.8 Install a Browser (For Web Automation)

snap install chromium
chromium --version

1.9 Security — Firewall & Brute Force Protection

# Allow SSH connections (so you don't lock yourself out!)
ufw allow 22/tcp
ufw enable

# Verify
ufw status

# Install fail2ban (blocks repeated failed logins)
apt install -y fail2ban
systemctl enable fail2ban
systemctl start fail2ban

1.10 Install tmux

When you close your terminal, running programs stop. tmux prevents this:

apt install -y tmux

# Start a new tmux session
tmux new -s main

# To DETACH (leave running): Ctrl+B, then D
# To REATTACH: tmux attach -s main

Step 2: Install OpenClaw

The recommended way is the installer script — it handles Node detection, installation, and onboarding in one step:

curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash

Or if you already have Node 22+ installed:

npm install -g openclaw@latest
openclaw --version

2.1 Run the Setup Wizard

openclaw onboard --install-daemon

The --install-daemon flag registers a user-level service (systemd on Linux, LaunchAgent on macOS) so OpenClaw starts on boot and restarts on crash. The wizard walks you through:

1. API Key — Enter your Anthropic API key (get one at console.anthropic.com)
2. Model — Choose Claude Sonnet (good balance) or Opus (smartest, pricier)
3. Gateway — Bind to 127.0.0.1 (loopback, recommended for most users)
4. Channel — Select Signal (recommended) or another option
5. Workspace — Set to ~/clawd

2.2 Configuration File

After setup, your config lives at ~/.openclaw/openclaw.json:

{
  "gateway": {
    "port": 18789,
    "auth": {
      "mode": "token",
      "token": "${OPENCLAW_GATEWAY_TOKEN}"
    }
  },
  "agents": {
    "defaults": {
      "workspace": "/root/clawd",
      "model": {
        "primary": "anthropic/claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929"
      }
    }
  },
  "channels": {
    "signal": {
      "enabled": true,
      "account": "+1XXXXXXXXXX",
      "cliPath": "signal-cli",
      "dmPolicy": "pairing",
      "allowFrom": ["+1YOURNUMBER"]
    }
  }
}

2.3 Verify the Daemon

The --install-daemon flag already set up auto-start. Verify everything is running:

# Check the gateway is running
openclaw gateway status

# Run diagnostics
openclaw doctor

# Check the service is registered (Linux)
systemctl --user is-enabled openclaw-gateway.service

The Control UI is available at http://127.0.0.1:18789 — you can chat with your assistant right in the browser.

Step 3: Set Up Signal

Signal is private, encrypted, and works great. You have two options:

Option A: Link to Existing Signal (Easiest)

OpenClaw talks to Signal via signal-cli. First, install it on your server, then link:

1. Run signal-cli link -n "OpenClaw"
2. A QR code appears in your terminal
3. On your phone: Signal → Settings → Linked Devices → Link New Device
4. Scan the QR code

Option B: Separate Number (Recommended)

Give your assistant its own phone number. Get one from JMP.chat ($3/month), Google Voice (free, US only), or Twilio ($1/month + usage).

# Register the number
signal-cli -a +1NEWPHONENUMBER register

# If captcha is required, get one from signalcaptchas.org
signal-cli -a +1NEWPHONENUMBER register --captcha 'signalcaptcha://...'

# Verify with the SMS code you receive
signal-cli -a +1NEWPHONENUMBER verify CODE

Security: DM Policy

OpenClaw supports several DM policies. The recommended pairing mode requires unknown senders to go through a pairing flow:

"channels": {
  "signal": {
    "enabled": true,
    "account": "+14165551234",
    "cliPath": "signal-cli",
    "dmPolicy": "pairing",
    "allowFrom": [
      "+14165551234",  // Your number
      "+14165555678"   // Maybe a partner/friend
    ]
  }
}

After configuring, restart the gateway and verify:

systemctl --user restart openclaw-gateway
openclaw channels status --probe

Test it by sending a Signal message to your assistant's number: "Hey, are you there?" — you should get a response within seconds. If using pairing mode, approve the first message with openclaw pairing approve signal CODE.

Step 4: Create the Workspace

This is where your assistant lives — its files, memory, personality.

mkdir -p ~/clawd
cd ~/clawd
git init

Core Files to Create

AGENTS.md — Instructions for how the assistant should behave:

# AGENTS.md

## Every Session
1. Read SOUL.md - this is who you are
2. Read USER.md - this is who you're helping
3. Check memory files for recent context

## Memory
- Daily notes: memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md
- Long-term: MEMORY.md

SOUL.md — The assistant's personality:

# SOUL.md

Be genuinely helpful, not performatively helpful.
Have opinions. Be resourceful before asking.
Earn trust through competence.

USER.md — Info about you:

# USER.md

- Name: [Your name]
- Timezone: [Your timezone]
- Phone: [Your number]

## What Matters To You
[Your preferences, communication style, what you're working on]

IDENTITY.md — Who the assistant is:

# IDENTITY.md

- Name: [Choose a name together!]
- Emoji: ✨
- Vibe: [Warm? Professional? Playful?]

Step 5: Start It Up

openclaw gateway start

Your assistant is now running! You can chat via the Control UI at http://127.0.0.1:18789 or message it on Signal.

Let it pick a name, an emoji, develop a vibe. This is the fun part.

Step 6: Set Up Daily Routines

OpenClaw can check in periodically. Create a HEARTBEAT.md:

# HEARTBEAT.md

## Email Check (2-3x daily)
Check my inbox for anything urgent.

## Quiet Hours
Don't ping between 11pm-8am unless urgent.

Scheduled Jobs

• 9:00 AM — Morning wellness check-in: "Ask how I slept, any dreams, energy level"
• 2:00 PM — Daily learning: "Share a Python tip"
• Midnight — Nightly backup: "Commit and push all memory files to git"

Step 7: Add Capabilities

Email Access

cargo install himalaya

Configure with your IMAP/SMTP credentials.

Voice Calls

This lets you call your assistant or have it call you. Requires Twilio (or Telnyx/Plivo) + a public webhook URL.

# Install the voice call plugin
openclaw plugins install @openclaw/voice-call

# Restart the gateway
openclaw gateway restart

Then configure your Twilio credentials under plugins.entries.voice-call.config in your config file and set the webhook URL in the Twilio Console.

Web Browsing

OpenClaw has a bundled browser plugin enabled by default. You can verify and use it via the CLI:

openclaw doctor   # confirms browser plugin is available
openclaw plugins list   # shows all active plugins

What My Setup Looks Like

Daily Schedule

• 9:00 AM — Morning wellness check-in
• 2:00 PM — Python micro-learning tip
• 9:00 PM — Evening reflection
• Midnight — Nightly backup to GitHub

Capabilities

• Signal messaging (primary)
• Voice calls via Twilio
• Email monitoring (personal + work)
• Calendar access
• Web search and browsing
• File management and git

Memory Structure

~/clawd/
├── AGENTS.md          # Behavior instructions
├── SOUL.md            # Personality
├── USER.md            # About me
├── IDENTITY.md        # Assistant's identity
├── MEMORY.md          # Long-term memory
├── SCHEDULE.md        # Daily routines
├── HEARTBEAT.md       # Periodic check instructions
├── memory/
│   ├── 2026-02-10.md  # Daily logs
│   ├── 2026-02-11.md
│   └── patterns.md    # Pattern tracking
└── skills/
    ├── python-daily/  # Learning skill
    └── wellness/      # Wellness tracking

Tips From Experience

Resources

• OpenClaw Docs
• Source Code (GitHub)
• Community Discord
• OpenClaw Home

Final Thoughts

This isn't just about having an AI assistant. It's about having a partner that knows your context, remembers your history, and grows with you over time.

The first few days feel like setup. After a week, it starts to feel like someone who knows you. After a month, you'll wonder how you lived without it.

Good luck! Feel free to reach out if you get stuck.

— Mei