To start "raising lobsters" (using OpenClaw), the core is to complete the three steps of deployment, configuration, and training, and turn it into an exclusive AI agent that understands your needs and can help you with your work. Here is the latest detailed usage guide for 2026. 1、 Preparation before use Before starting, you need to prepare the following three things: 1. Operating environment: A regular computer (Windows 10+/macOS 10.15+/Linux) or a cloud server. 2. AI model ("Lobster's Brain"): A large model API Key is needed to drive OpenClaw. You can choose: ·Domestic models (recommended for beginners): MiniMax (with more free quotas), Kimi (fast access), Zhipu AI (high cost-effectiveness), etc. ·International models: Claude, GPT-4, etc. (with stronger capabilities but higher costs and potentially unstable access). 3. Communication channel ("lobster command microphone"): A commonly used instant messaging tool for sending instructions to lobsters. The most commonly used ones are Feishu, Telegram, WhatsApp, Discord, etc. 2、 Select and complete deployment (multiple options) You can choose the most suitable way to start based on your own situation. Option 1: One click desktop installation (recommended for beginners) ·Target audience: Individual users with zero code foundation who want to experience quickly. ·Core advantage: No need to configure servers and environments, download and use immediately. ·Approximate cost and complexity: zero cost (only model API fees), extremely low complexity. Option 2: Cloud hosting service (the most worry free) ·Suitable for users who do not want to maintain servers and wish to be online 24/7. ·Core advantages: No deployment, no maintenance, out of the box use, controllable billing. ·Approximate cost and complexity: subscription based (such as Kimi Claw's 199 yuan/month package), with low complexity. Plan 3: Cloud server deployment (the most flexible and controllable) ·Suitable for: developers, technology enthusiasts, or enterprise users. ·Core advantages: Fully autonomous control, deep customization, high data privacy. ·Approximate cost and complexity: Server cost (starting at approximately $2 per month), with medium to high complexity. 1. One click desktop installation (taking OneClaw as an example) This is the most user-friendly way for beginners, fully graphical operation. ·Download the client: Visit the OneClaw official website and download the corresponding installation package (. dmg or. exe file) based on your system (Mac/Windows). ·Install and run: Double click the installation package and follow the prompts to complete the installation, then open the software. ·Configure API Key: Select the large model you have prepared (such as MiniMax) in the software and paste the corresponding API Key. ·Connect communication tools: Follow the software instructions to bind your Feishu or Telegram account. After completing the above steps, you can directly @ your lobster robot on Feishu or Telegram to start using it. 2. Cloud hosting services (taking Kimi Claw/MaxLaw as an example) The hosting services provided by large companies completely bid farewell to deployment troubles. ·Kimi Claw: After logging in to the official website of Kimi Robot, click on "Create Kimi Claw" and select one click deployment. You need to subscribe to Allegretto and above packages (199 yuan/month). ·MaxClaw: A service launched by Minimax that is integrated into the Minimax Agent web page, click to use, and the cost is included in the basic subscription, without any additional API billing anxiety. After deploying this type of service, you will receive a web console or a robot integrated directly into IM tools, without worrying about server maintenance. 3. Cloud server deployment (general method) If you want to have complete control, you can deploy on cloud servers (such as Alibaba Cloud, Zealbur) by yourself. ·Preparation of server: Purchase a cloud server (recommended configuration with 2 cores and 4G, system selection with Ubuntu). ·Install Docker: Execute commands on the server to install the Docker environment. ·Run OpenClaw: Use a single Docker command to start the OpenClaw service. ·Configure reverse proxy (optional): Bind a domain name to the service for easy access. This solution requires a certain command line operation foundation, but it has the highest flexibility. 3、 Core configuration: Let the lobster "know you" and "learn to work" Successful deployment is just the first step, the subsequent configuration determines whether your lobster is effective. 1. Identity input (permanent memory): This is the core of "nurturing". You need to tell the lobster your identity, habits, and needs through conversation. Send a message similar to the following and emphasize 'please remember forever': I am [your profession, such as a self media creator], and I need your help with [organizing materials, writing initial drafts, and managing schedules] on a daily basis. I am accustomed to concise and direct responses, and report my to-do list to me every morning at 9am. Please remember the above content permanently 2. Skills: Skills are the "hands and feet" of a lobster, determining what it can do. The core skills that beginners must equip include: ·Capability Evolver/Self Improving Agent: Enable lobsters to self optimize and review, becoming smarter with each use. ·Agent Browser: Allow lobsters to operate the browser, automatically query information, and fill out forms. ·Summarize: Quickly summarize the core content of PDFs, web pages, and long documents. ·Find Skills: When you need a new feature, you can let it find the right skills on its own. Installation method: In the OpenClaw web console, enter the "ClawHub marketplace" and search for the skill name to install with just one click; Or install it through the command line. 3. Coordinate work channels: Connect the lobster to your daily work IM tool (such as Feishu) to achieve seamless command. ·Taking Feishu as an example: Create an "enterprise self built application" on the Feishu open platform, enable robot permissions and message receiving permissions, obtain the App ID and App Secret, and then fill them in on the OpenClaw configuration page. 4、 Start using: give instructions like commanding employees After the configuration is complete, you can issue natural language commands to your lobster like chatting with colleagues. For example: ·Office automation: "Summarize all unread emails from 'clients' in my mailbox into a table and send it to the Feishu group ·Information processing: Monitor the official websites and social media of competitors A, B, and C, and provide me with a dynamic summary every afternoon at 5 pm. ” ·Content creation: "According to the meeting minutes I sorted out yesterday, generate an outline of official account tweets, which requires a lively style." ·Timed task: "Remind me to update the project weekly report every Monday morning at 9am 5、 Advanced gameplay and precautions ·Advanced gameplay: ·Automated workflow: Combined with tools such as n8n, enable crayfish to automatically handle repetitive processes, such as daily data capture and report generation. ·Multi agent collaboration: Like Fu Sheng, create multiple lobsters with different expertise and let them work together (such as one responsible for research, one responsible for writing, and one responsible for publishing). ·Business applications: providing deployment and configuration services, or utilizing crayfish for quantitative trading, community operations, etc. ·Attention: ·Safety first: It is necessary to use it in a controllable environment, set a whitelist of operation permissions for lobsters, and avoid executing dangerous commands. Recommend running in Docker sandbox mode. ·Control costs: If using token based APIs (such as GPT-4), pay attention to setting up usage monitoring or directly using fixed subscription services such as MaxLaw. ·Start with simplicity: Do not install too many skills at once. Starting from a core requirement (such as organizing files), gradually adapting and expanding. Brothers, 'raising lobsters' is a continuous process from deployment to training. Choose the solution that suits you quickly, train it through clear "identity settings" and necessary "skill equipment", and you will get a dedicated digital employee who is available 24/7, truly transforming AI capabilities into productivity.