melbot / docs /start /wizard.md
amos-fernandes's picture
Upload 4501 files
3a65265 verified
---
summary: "CLI onboarding wizard: guided setup for gateway, workspace, channels, and skills"
read_when:
- Running or configuring the onboarding wizard
- Setting up a new machine
---
# Onboarding Wizard (CLI)
The onboarding wizard is the **recommended** way to set up Moltbot on macOS,
Linux, or Windows (via WSL2; strongly recommended).
It configures a local Gateway or a remote Gateway connection, plus channels, skills,
and workspace defaults in one guided flow.
Primary entrypoint:
```bash
moltbot onboard
```
Fastest first chat: open the Control UI (no channel setup needed). Run
`moltbot dashboard` and chat in the browser. Docs: [Dashboard](/web/dashboard).
Follow‑up reconfiguration:
```bash
moltbot configure
```
Recommended: set up a Brave Search API key so the agent can use `web_search`
(`web_fetch` works without a key). Easiest path: `moltbot configure --section web`
which stores `tools.web.search.apiKey`. Docs: [Web tools](/tools/web).
## QuickStart vs Advanced
The wizard starts with **QuickStart** (defaults) vs **Advanced** (full control).
**QuickStart** keeps the defaults:
- Local gateway (loopback)
- Workspace default (or existing workspace)
- Gateway port **18789**
- Gateway auth **Token** (auto‑generated, even on loopback)
- Tailscale exposure **Off**
- Telegram + WhatsApp DMs default to **allowlist** (you’ll be prompted for your phone number)
**Advanced** exposes every step (mode, workspace, gateway, channels, daemon, skills).
## What the wizard does
**Local mode (default)** walks you through:
- Model/auth (OpenAI Code (Codex) subscription OAuth, Anthropic API key (recommended) or setup-token (paste), plus MiniMax/GLM/Moonshot/AI Gateway options)
- Workspace location + bootstrap files
- Gateway settings (port/bind/auth/tailscale)
- Providers (Telegram, WhatsApp, Discord, Google Chat, Mattermost (plugin), Signal)
- Daemon install (LaunchAgent / systemd user unit)
- Health check
- Skills (recommended)
**Remote mode** only configures the local client to connect to a Gateway elsewhere.
It does **not** install or change anything on the remote host.
To add more isolated agents (separate workspace + sessions + auth), use:
```bash
moltbot agents add <name>
```
Tip: `--json` does **not** imply non-interactive mode. Use `--non-interactive` (and `--workspace`) for scripts.
## Flow details (local)
1) **Existing config detection**
- If `~/.clawdbot/moltbot.json` exists, choose **Keep / Modify / Reset**.
- Re-running the wizard does **not** wipe anything unless you explicitly choose **Reset**
(or pass `--reset`).
- If the config is invalid or contains legacy keys, the wizard stops and asks
you to run `moltbot doctor` before continuing.
- Reset uses `trash` (never `rm`) and offers scopes:
- Config only
- Config + credentials + sessions
- Full reset (also removes workspace)
2) **Model/Auth**
- **Anthropic API key (recommended)**: uses `ANTHROPIC_API_KEY` if present or prompts for a key, then saves it for daemon use.
- **Anthropic OAuth (Claude Code CLI)**: on macOS the wizard checks Keychain item "Claude Code-credentials" (choose "Always Allow" so launchd starts don't block); on Linux/Windows it reuses `~/.claude/.credentials.json` if present.
- **Anthropic token (paste setup-token)**: run `claude setup-token` on any machine, then paste the token (you can name it; blank = default).
- **OpenAI Code (Codex) subscription (Codex CLI)**: if `~/.codex/auth.json` exists, the wizard can reuse it.
- **OpenAI Code (Codex) subscription (OAuth)**: browser flow; paste the `code#state`.
- Sets `agents.defaults.model` to `openai-codex/gpt-5.2` when model is unset or `openai/*`.
- **OpenAI API key**: uses `OPENAI_API_KEY` if present or prompts for a key, then saves it to `~/.clawdbot/.env` so launchd can read it.
- **OpenCode Zen (multi-model proxy)**: prompts for `OPENCODE_API_KEY` (or `OPENCODE_ZEN_API_KEY`, get it at https://opencode.ai/auth).
- **API key**: stores the key for you.
- **Vercel AI Gateway (multi-model proxy)**: prompts for `AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY`.
- More detail: [Vercel AI Gateway](/providers/vercel-ai-gateway)
- **MiniMax M2.1**: config is auto-written.
- More detail: [MiniMax](/providers/minimax)
- **Synthetic (Anthropic-compatible)**: prompts for `SYNTHETIC_API_KEY`.
- More detail: [Synthetic](/providers/synthetic)
- **Moonshot (Kimi K2)**: config is auto-written.
- **Kimi Code**: config is auto-written.
- More detail: [Moonshot AI (Kimi + Kimi Code)](/providers/moonshot)
- **Skip**: no auth configured yet.
- Pick a default model from detected options (or enter provider/model manually).
- Wizard runs a model check and warns if the configured model is unknown or missing auth.
- OAuth credentials live in `~/.clawdbot/credentials/oauth.json`; auth profiles live in `~/.clawdbot/agents/<agentId>/agent/auth-profiles.json` (API keys + OAuth).
- More detail: [/concepts/oauth](/concepts/oauth)
3) **Workspace**
- Default `~/clawd` (configurable).
- Seeds the workspace files needed for the agent bootstrap ritual.
- Full workspace layout + backup guide: [Agent workspace](/concepts/agent-workspace)
4) **Gateway**
- Port, bind, auth mode, tailscale exposure.
- Auth recommendation: keep **Token** even for loopback so local WS clients must authenticate.
- Disable auth only if you fully trust every local process.
- Non‑loopback binds still require auth.
5) **Channels**
- WhatsApp: optional QR login.
- Telegram: bot token.
- Discord: bot token.
- Google Chat: service account JSON + webhook audience.
- Mattermost (plugin): bot token + base URL.
- Signal: optional `signal-cli` install + account config.
- iMessage: local `imsg` CLI path + DB access.
- DM security: default is pairing. First DM sends a code; approve via `moltbot pairing approve <channel> <code>` or use allowlists.
6) **Daemon install**
- macOS: LaunchAgent
- Requires a logged-in user session; for headless, use a custom LaunchDaemon (not shipped).
- Linux (and Windows via WSL2): systemd user unit
- Wizard attempts to enable lingering via `loginctl enable-linger <user>` so the Gateway stays up after logout.
- May prompt for sudo (writes `/var/lib/systemd/linger`); it tries without sudo first.
- **Runtime selection:** Node (recommended; required for WhatsApp/Telegram). Bun is **not recommended**.
7) **Health check**
- Starts the Gateway (if needed) and runs `moltbot health`.
- Tip: `moltbot status --deep` adds gateway health probes to status output (requires a reachable gateway).
8) **Skills (recommended)**
- Reads the available skills and checks requirements.
- Lets you choose a node manager: **npm / pnpm** (bun not recommended).
- Installs optional dependencies (some use Homebrew on macOS).
9) **Finish**
- Summary + next steps, including iOS/Android/macOS apps for extra features.
- If no GUI is detected, the wizard prints SSH port-forward instructions for the Control UI instead of opening a browser.
- If the Control UI assets are missing, the wizard attempts to build them; fallback is `pnpm ui:build` (auto-installs UI deps).
## Remote mode
Remote mode configures a local client to connect to a Gateway elsewhere.
What you’ll set:
- Remote Gateway URL (`ws://...`)
- Token if the remote Gateway requires auth (recommended)
Notes:
- No remote installs or daemon changes are performed.
- If the Gateway is loopback‑only, use SSH tunneling or a tailnet.
- Discovery hints:
- macOS: Bonjour (`dns-sd`)
- Linux: Avahi (`avahi-browse`)
## Add another agent
Use `moltbot agents add <name>` to create a separate agent with its own workspace,
sessions, and auth profiles. Running without `--workspace` launches the wizard.
What it sets:
- `agents.list[].name`
- `agents.list[].workspace`
- `agents.list[].agentDir`
Notes:
- Default workspaces follow `~/clawd-<agentId>`.
- Add `bindings` to route inbound messages (the wizard can do this).
- Non-interactive flags: `--model`, `--agent-dir`, `--bind`, `--non-interactive`.
## Non‑interactive mode
Use `--non-interactive` to automate or script onboarding:
```bash
moltbot onboard --non-interactive \
--mode local \
--auth-choice apiKey \
--anthropic-api-key "$ANTHROPIC_API_KEY" \
--gateway-port 18789 \
--gateway-bind loopback \
--install-daemon \
--daemon-runtime node \
--skip-skills
```
Add `--json` for a machine‑readable summary.
Gemini example:
```bash
moltbot onboard --non-interactive \
--mode local \
--auth-choice gemini-api-key \
--gemini-api-key "$GEMINI_API_KEY" \
--gateway-port 18789 \
--gateway-bind loopback
```
Z.AI example:
```bash
moltbot onboard --non-interactive \
--mode local \
--auth-choice zai-api-key \
--zai-api-key "$ZAI_API_KEY" \
--gateway-port 18789 \
--gateway-bind loopback
```
Vercel AI Gateway example:
```bash
moltbot onboard --non-interactive \
--mode local \
--auth-choice ai-gateway-api-key \
--ai-gateway-api-key "$AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY" \
--gateway-port 18789 \
--gateway-bind loopback
```
Moonshot example:
```bash
moltbot onboard --non-interactive \
--mode local \
--auth-choice moonshot-api-key \
--moonshot-api-key "$MOONSHOT_API_KEY" \
--gateway-port 18789 \
--gateway-bind loopback
```
Synthetic example:
```bash
moltbot onboard --non-interactive \
--mode local \
--auth-choice synthetic-api-key \
--synthetic-api-key "$SYNTHETIC_API_KEY" \
--gateway-port 18789 \
--gateway-bind loopback
```
OpenCode Zen example:
```bash
moltbot onboard --non-interactive \
--mode local \
--auth-choice opencode-zen \
--opencode-zen-api-key "$OPENCODE_API_KEY" \
--gateway-port 18789 \
--gateway-bind loopback
```
Add agent (non‑interactive) example:
```bash
moltbot agents add work \
--workspace ~/clawd-work \
--model openai/gpt-5.2 \
--bind whatsapp:biz \
--non-interactive \
--json
```
## Gateway wizard RPC
The Gateway exposes the wizard flow over RPC (`wizard.start`, `wizard.next`, `wizard.cancel`, `wizard.status`).
Clients (macOS app, Control UI) can render steps without re‑implementing onboarding logic.
## Signal setup (signal-cli)
The wizard can install `signal-cli` from GitHub releases:
- Downloads the appropriate release asset.
- Stores it under `~/.clawdbot/tools/signal-cli/<version>/`.
- Writes `channels.signal.cliPath` to your config.
Notes:
- JVM builds require **Java 21**.
- Native builds are used when available.
- Windows uses WSL2; signal-cli install follows the Linux flow inside WSL.
## What the wizard writes
Typical fields in `~/.clawdbot/moltbot.json`:
- `agents.defaults.workspace`
- `agents.defaults.model` / `models.providers` (if Minimax chosen)
- `gateway.*` (mode, bind, auth, tailscale)
- `channels.telegram.botToken`, `channels.discord.token`, `channels.signal.*`, `channels.imessage.*`
- Channel allowlists (Slack/Discord/Matrix/Microsoft Teams) when you opt in during the prompts (names resolve to IDs when possible).
- `skills.install.nodeManager`
- `wizard.lastRunAt`
- `wizard.lastRunVersion`
- `wizard.lastRunCommit`
- `wizard.lastRunCommand`
- `wizard.lastRunMode`
`moltbot agents add` writes `agents.list[]` and optional `bindings`.
WhatsApp credentials go under `~/.clawdbot/credentials/whatsapp/<accountId>/`.
Sessions are stored under `~/.clawdbot/agents/<agentId>/sessions/`.
Some channels are delivered as plugins. When you pick one during onboarding, the wizard
will prompt to install it (npm or a local path) before it can be configured.
## Related docs
- macOS app onboarding: [Onboarding](/start/onboarding)
- Config reference: [Gateway configuration](/gateway/configuration)
- Providers: [WhatsApp](/channels/whatsapp), [Telegram](/channels/telegram), [Discord](/channels/discord), [Google Chat](/channels/googlechat), [Signal](/channels/signal), [iMessage](/channels/imessage)
- Skills: [Skills](/tools/skills), [Skills config](/tools/skills-config)