Builds / OpenClaw Starter
OpenClaw Starter
Your first always-on personal agent.
Beginner build · Personal agents · 5 parts · Running cost: $4/mo + model usage
The minimum viable OpenClaw setup: one agent that lives on a small server, answers you in your chat app, and can actually look things up on the live web instead of guessing.
What drives the cost: Low — a small VPS plus model usage
The parts
Agent shell
OpenClaw — Agent. Open-source personal agent that runs 24/7 and talks to you through your messaging apps.
Alternatives: Hermes Agent, Eigent
Brain
Claude Opus 5.5 — Model. Strong long-horizon reasoning — the difference between an agent and an autocomplete.
Alternatives: GPT-5.6 Sol, Gemini 3.5 Pro
Web search
Exa — Tool. A search API built for agents: clean, structured results a model can actually read.
Calendar (optional)
Google Calendar — Skill. Lets the agent see and manage your schedule.
Alternatives: Motion
Runs on
Hetzner — Service. A small cloud server is enough to keep it running around the clock.
Alternatives: IDCloudHost, Hostinger
Run this build
Start the build and it becomes a checklist: for each part, mark the one you already have, pick an alternative of the same kind, or compare the options side by side. Every part you confirm goes onto your stack, and the build is complete when every required part is filled.
More builds
- OpenClaw Power Build
- Hermes Research Desk
- Claude Code Ship Crew
- Browser Operator
- Outbound Sales Agency
- Support Desk Agent
- Voice Front Desk
- Content Studio
- Meeting Ops
- Automation Backbone
- Knowledge & RAG Base
- App Builder Line
- Short-Video Factory
- Solo Creator Starter
- Small Marketing Team
- Developer Starter
- Customer Support Team
- Everyday Productivity
Not sure this is the right one? Run Smart Match or browse all builds.