AI Agent Business Playbook

Purchase a VPS

Get a cloud server from any provider (Vultr, DigitalOcean, Linode, Hetzner).

• OS: Ubuntu 22.04 LTS (64-bit)
• RAM: 4GB minimum (8GB recommended)
• CPU: 2 cores minimum
• Storage: 50GB SSD
• Cost: ~$20–40/month

Connect to Your Server via SSH

Open Terminal (Mac/Linux) or PowerShell (Windows) and connect:

ssh root@YOUR_SERVER_IP

• Replace YOUR_SERVER_IP with your server's IP address
• Accept the fingerprint prompt (type "yes")
• Enter your root password

Install Node.js

curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_22.x | sudo -E bash -
sudo apt-get install -y nodejs

Install OpenClaw

npm install -g openclaw

Get Your Anthropic API Key

• Go to console.anthropic.com
• Create account → API Keys → Create Key
• Copy the key (starts with sk-ant-...)
• Add $20–50 in credits to start

Run OpenClaw Setup

openclaw setup

• Enter your Anthropic API key when prompted
• Set your workspace directory
• Follow the guided setup

Start the Gateway Service

openclaw gateway start

Install WhatsApp Plugin

openclaw plugins install @openclaw/whatsapp

Link Your WhatsApp Number

openclaw channels login --channel whatsapp

• A QR code appears in the terminal
• Open WhatsApp on your phone
• Tap Settings → Linked Devices → Link a Device
• Scan the QR code
• Wait for "Connected" confirmation before closing terminal

Restart Gateway & Test

openclaw gateway restart

• Open WhatsApp and text your own number
• Agent should respond within seconds

Install nginx

sudo apt install nginx -y
sudo systemctl enable nginx
sudo systemctl start nginx

Open Firewall Ports

sudo ufw allow 80
sudo ufw allow 443
sudo ufw allow OpenSSH
sudo ufw enable

Point Your Domain

• Log into your domain registrar (Squarespace, GoDaddy, etc.)
• Go to DNS Settings
• Add an A Record: Host = @ | Value = YOUR_SERVER_IP
• Wait 5–30 minutes for propagation

Get Your GHL API Credentials

• GHL → Settings → Integrations → Private Integrations
• Create new token → copy it
• Settings → Business Profile → copy your Location ID

Tell Your Agent Your GHL Credentials

Text your agent on WhatsApp:

"My GHL token is: [TOKEN]
My Location ID is: [LOCATION_ID]"

Agent saves them and is now connected to your CRM.

Set Up Reply Notifications (Webhook)

• GHL → Settings → Integrations → Webhooks → Add Webhook
• URL: http://YOUR_SERVER_IP/ghl-webhook
• Event: Inbound Message
• Save

Ask Your Agent to Build Your Website

Text your agent:

"Build me a professional website for [BUSINESS NAME].
Services: [LIST YOUR SERVICES].
My phone: [YOUR PHONE].
My logo: [ATTACH PHOTO]"

• Agent builds full HTML/CSS site
• Lead form auto-adds contacts to GHL
• You get WhatsApp alert for every new lead

Set Up Automated Cron Jobs

Text your agent:

"Set up a daily morning brief at 5:30 AM with
market analysis and trade setups"

"Send me trade setups every 4 hours"

"Send me a weekly CRM summary every Monday at 9 AM"