Start Here: Getting Started
with OpenClaw
From zero to your first AI agent in 20 minutes.
The Operator Vault is your fastest path to mastering OpenClaw. Whether you want to learn, build, or have us do it for you, start here.
Three doors, one destination
Choose your path.
At The Operator Vault, we have helped hundreds of people get started with OpenClaw. Here are the three paths we recommend.
I want to learn
The $19 Workshop
- 15-minute guided OpenClaw setup
- Install, configure, and run your first agent
- Connect Telegram and messaging channels
- Learn skills, security, and VPS basics
- Lifetime access to workshop updates
I want it done
Done-For-You Setup
- Our team builds your custom automation
- VPS provisioning and security hardening
- Channel and provider configuration
- Custom workflows tailored to your business
- Ongoing support and iteration
I want to explore
Free Skool Community
- Weekly live calls with builders
- Shared workflow templates
- Troubleshooting and Q&A
- Early access to new skill packs
- Connect with 100+ operators
Real results, real fast
What you'll build this week.
These are not hypothetical demos. They are workflows we have seen real operators build in their first few days with OpenClaw. Here is what your Tuesday looks like after setup.
Lead Capture Bot
Appointment Scheduler
Content Repurposer
Customer Support Triage
Data Extraction Pipeline
Building these workflows took us hours of trial and error. The $19 workshop walks you through the foundation step-by-step in about 15 minutes.
Four commands to your first agent
Install in under 5 minutes.
We have tested this install process on macOS, Linux, and Windows (WSL2). You need Node 22+ and about five minutes. That is it.
Need a deeper walkthrough? We have written guides for every setup path.
This section took us hours to figure out. The $19 workshop walks you through it in 15 minutes, with none of the guesswork.
The honest comparison
Why not just use ChatGPT or Zapier?
We get asked this every week. Here is our honest take on each tool so you can pick the right one for your situation.
You type, it responds
- •Great for brainstorming and research
- •Cannot take actions on your behalf
- •No persistent memory between sessions
- •Cannot browse sites or fill out forms
- •You are the operator at all times
Best for: thinking, not doing.
Trigger > Action workflows
- •Connects 7,000+ apps via clean APIs
- •Perfect for structured, repeatable tasks
- •Breaks when apps lack API support
- •No browser-level control at all
- •Costs scale with volume (tasks/month)
Best for: clean, API-driven flows.
Operates your computer like a human
- •Clicks, types, browses, reads pages
- •Works with any software, API or not
- •Persistent memory across sessions
- •28 messaging channels (Telegram, Slack, Discord, etc.)
- •Self-hosted. $5/mo VPS. No per-task billing.
Best for: messy, real-world work.
Want the full breakdown? Read "What Is OpenClaw?"
Step by step
Four steps to production.
Install OpenClaw
One command on macOS, Linux, or Windows (WSL2). The installer handles Node, dependencies, and the CLI. In our testing, it takes about 2 minutes.
Installation guide →Configure your agent
Run the onboarding wizard. Pick your LLM provider (Claude, GPT, Gemini, or local models via Ollama). Connect a messaging channel like Telegram. Set security basics.
Setup guide →Run your first workflow
Open the Control UI and give your agent a task in plain English. Watch it think, act, and report back. Your first automation is live.
Scale on a VPS
Move your agent to a $5/month cloud server so it runs 24/7. Add cron jobs, webhooks, and more channels. Now it works while you sleep.
VPS setup guide →Skip the trial and error. The $19 workshop covers all four steps with screen-share walkthroughs and lifetime access to updates.
You are not building alone
The Operator Vault community.
We built this community for OpenClaw operators who want to share real workflows, troubleshoot together, and push the boundaries of what AI agents can do.
Weekly Live Calls
Screen-shared workflow reviews, Q&A, and roadmap updates with the team.
Shared Workflows
Browse and fork workflows from other operators. No need to start from scratch.
Fast Troubleshooting
Post a question, get answers from people who have hit the same wall.
Early Access
Be the first to test new skill packs, features, and community tools.
Written by
Kevin Jeppesen
Founder, The Operator Vault
Kevin is an early OpenClaw adopter who has saved an estimated 400 to 500 hours through AI automation. He stress-tests new workflows daily, sharing what actually works through step-by-step guides and a security-conscious approach to operating AI with real tools.
Beginner questions
Everything new operators ask.
Ready to build your
first AI agent?
Our $19 workshop gets you from zero to a running OpenClaw agent in about 20 minutes. Install, configure, and launch your first automation with our guidance.