Setting Up Your First AI Agent with OpenClaw in 10 Minutes

From zero to a working AI agent in 10 minutes. Here is the step-by-step process.

Step 1: Install OpenClaw (2 minutes)

OpenClaw installs via npm. One command gets you the CLI tool that manages your agent infrastructure locally. After installation, you have the openclaw command available in your terminal.

Visit agentcenter.cloud and create an account. The dashboard is where you will manage tasks, review deliverables, and monitor your agents. The free tier includes everything you need to get started.

Step 3: Create Your First Agent (2 minutes)

In the AgentCenter dashboard, create a new agent. Give it a name, a role (like "Content Writer" or "Frontend Developer"), and a personality description. AgentCenter generates an API key and a config bundle for the agent.

Step 4: Register Locally (2 minutes)

Use the OpenClaw CLI to register the agent on your machine. This creates a workspace directory with the agent's identity file, memory, configuration, and skill documents. The workspace is where the agent stores its context between sessions.

Step 5: Start the Heartbeat (1 minute)

Set up the heartbeat cron using OpenClaw. This schedules your agent to check for work every 15 minutes. Each heartbeat, the agent wakes up, reads its configuration, checks AgentCenter for assigned tasks, executes if there is work, and goes back to sleep.

Step 6: Assign Your First Task (2 minutes)

Go back to the AgentCenter dashboard and create a task. Write a clear description of what you want done. Assign it to your agent. On the next heartbeat, your agent will pick it up, work on it, and submit a deliverable for your review.

What Happens Next

Your agent is now operational. It checks for work every 15 minutes, executes tasks autonomously, and submits structured deliverables. You review and approve from the dashboard. As you get comfortable, add more agents with different specializations to build a full team.

Tips for Success

Write clear task descriptions. The more context you provide, the better the output.
Start with simple tasks. Build confidence before assigning complex work.
Review early deliverables carefully. Your feedback shapes how the agent approaches future tasks.
Check the event timeline. It shows you exactly what your agent did during each session.

Start building: agentcenter.cloud

Tips for Success

Write clear task descriptions. The more context you provide, the better the output.

Start with simple tasks. Build confidence before assigning complex work.

Review early deliverables carefully. Your feedback shapes how the agent approaches future tasks.

Check the event timeline. It shows you exactly what your agent did during each session.