The video provides a step-by-step beginner’s guide to setting up OpenClaw and running Maltbot on a Digital Ocean VPS, including configuring the Anthropic API, personalizing the AI agent with a user profile, and accessing it via a web dashboard. It emphasizes the affordability, ease of setup, and user-friendly features that make advanced AI tools accessible without needing specialized hardware or technical expertise.
The video provides a beginner-friendly guide to setting up OpenClaw, specifically focusing on running Maltbot on a Virtual Private Server (VPS) without the need for a Mac or Mac Mini. The presenter recommends using Digital Ocean as the VPS provider because it offers a straightforward, plug-and-play setup process. After creating an account and adding a payment method, users are guided to create a “droplet” (Digital Ocean’s term for a VPS instance), select a nearby server location, and choose a cost-effective plan. The presenter reassures viewers that the cost is minimal, making this approach much more affordable than purchasing dedicated hardware.
Once the droplet is created, the video walks through accessing the server via the Digital Ocean console. The initial setup involves selecting the API provider—currently, only Anthropic is supported—and entering an API key. The presenter demonstrates how to obtain this key from the Anthropic developer platform, copy it, and paste it into the console. After entering the key, the Maltbot service restarts, and the user is prompted to enter a command to launch Clawbot, which then becomes operational and ready to interact.
The next step involves personalizing the AI agent by providing it with a user profile and memory. The presenter suggests using a template to compile relevant personal and professional information, which can be generated with the help of another AI like ChatGPT. This profile is then pasted into the Clawbot console, allowing the agent to store and remember important details about the user, their projects, and their communication preferences. This memory feature enhances the usefulness of the agent, making it more effective in assisting with various tasks.
After setting up the memory and user profile, the video shows how to name the AI agent and further customize its role. The agent acknowledges the information provided and is ready to assist with tasks such as managing brands, prioritizing work, and handling business operations. The presenter emphasizes that Clawbot is an autonomous AI agent capable of performing a wide range of functions, and hints at future videos that will explore its multiple use cases in greater detail.
Finally, the video addresses users who may not be comfortable with the terminal interface. It explains how to access a web-based chatbot dashboard by copying the provided URL into a browser, making it easy to interact with the agent without technical complexity. The presenter demonstrates how to use this interface to request daily AI news updates and mentions the possibility of integrating the agent with messaging platforms like Telegram. Overall, the guide highlights the simplicity and accessibility of setting up and using Maltbot via OpenClaw, making advanced AI tools available to complete beginners.