常见问题解答
快速答案以及针对实际设置的深入故障排除(本地开发、VPS、多代理、OAuth/API 密钥、模型故障转移)。有关运行时诊断,请参阅故障排除。有关完整配置参考,请参阅配置。
目录
- 快速入门和首次运行设置
- 如何安装测试版,测试版和开发版有什么区别?
- 我如何尝试最新的组件?
- 安装和入职通常需要多长时间?
- 安装程序卡住了?我如何获得更多信息?
- Windows 安装显示找不到 git 或 moltbot 未被识别
- 文档没有回答我的问题 - 我如何得到更好的答案?
- 如何在 Linux 上安装 Moltbot?
- 如何在 VPS 上安装 Moltbot?
- 云/VPS 安装指南在哪里?
- 我可以要求 Clawd 自动更新吗?
- 入职向导实际上做什么?
- 我需要 Claude 或 OpenAI 订阅才能运行这个吗?
- 我可以在没有 API 密钥的情况下使用 Claude Max 订阅
- Anthropic "setup-token" 认证是如何工作的?
- 我在哪里可以找到 Anthropic setup-token?
- 你们支持 Claude 订阅认证(Claude Code OAuth)吗?
- 为什么我看到来自 Anthropic 的
HTTP 429: rate_limit_error? - 是否支持 AWS Bedrock?
- Codex 认证是如何工作的?
- 你们支持 OpenAI 订阅认证(Codex OAuth)吗?
- 我如何设置 Gemini CLI OAuth
- 本地模型适合随意聊天吗?
- 我如何将托管模型流量保持在特定区域?
- 我必须购买 Mac Mini 才能安装这个吗?
- 我需要 Mac mini 来支持 iMessage 吗?
- 如果我购买 Mac mini 来运行 Moltbot,我可以将其连接到我的 MacBook Pro 吗?
- 我可以使用 Bun 吗?
- Telegram:
allowFrom中应该放什么? - 多个人可以使用一个 WhatsApp 号码和不同的 Moltbots 吗?
- 我可以运行一个"快速聊天"代理和一个"用于编码的 Opus"代理吗?
- Homebrew 在 Linux 上有效吗?
- 可修改(git)安装和 npm 安装有什么区别?
- 以后我可以在 npm 和 git 安装之间切换吗?
- 我应该在我的笔记本电脑还是 VPS 上运行网关?
- 在专用机器上运行 Moltbot 有多重要?
- 最低 VPS 要求和推荐的操作系统是什么?
- 我可以在虚拟机中运行 Moltbot 吗,有什么要求
- 什么是 Moltbot?
- 技能和自动化
- 沙箱和内存
- 事物在磁盘上的存储位置
- 配置基础
- 远程网关 + 节点
- 命令如何在 Telegram、网关和节点之间传播?
- 如果网关托管在远程,我的代理如何访问我的计算机?
- Tailscale 已连接但我没有收到回复。现在怎么办?
- 两个 Moltbots 可以相互通信吗(本地 + VPS)?
- 多个代理是否需要单独的 VPS
- 使用我个人笔记本电脑上的节点而不是从 VPS 进行 SSH 是否有好处?
- 节点运行网关服务吗?
- 是否有应用配置的 API / RPC 方式?
- What's a minimal "sane" config for a first install?
- How do I set up Tailscale on a VPS and connect from my Mac?
- How do I connect a Mac node to a remote Gateway (Tailscale Serve)?
- Should I install on a second laptop or just add a node?
- Env vars and .env loading
- Sessions & multiple chats
- How do I start a fresh conversation?
- Do sessions reset automatically if I never send
/new? - Is there a way to make a team of Moltbots one CEO and many agents
- Why did context get truncated mid-task? How do I prevent it?
- How do I completely reset Moltbot but keep it installed?
- I'm getting "context too large" errors - how do I reset or compact?
- Why am I seeing "LLM request rejected: messages.N.content.X.tool_use.input: Field required"?
- Why am I getting heartbeat messages every 30 minutes?
- Do I need to add a "bot account" to a WhatsApp group?
- How do I get the JID of a WhatsApp group?
- Why doesn't Moltbot reply in a group?
- Do groups/threads share context with DMs?
- How many workspaces and agents can I create?
- Can I run multiple bots or chats at the same time (Slack), and how should I set that up?
- Models: defaults, selection, aliases, switching
- What is the "default model"?
- What model do you recommend?
- How do I switch models without wiping my config?
- Can I use self-hosted models (llama.cpp, vLLM, Ollama)?
- What do Clawd, Flawd, and Krill use for models?
- How do I switch models on the fly (without restarting)?
- Can I use GPT 5.2 for daily tasks and Codex 5.2 for coding
- Why do I see "Model … is not allowed" and then no reply?
- Why do I see "Unknown model: minimax/MiniMax-M2.1"?
- Can I use MiniMax as my default and OpenAI for complex tasks?
- Are opus / sonnet / gpt built-in shortcuts?
- [How do I define/override model shortcuts (aliases)?](#how-do-i-defineoverride-model shortcuts-aliases)
- How do I add models from other providers like OpenRouter or Z.AI?
- Model failover and "All models failed"
- Auth profiles: what they are and how to manage them
- Gateway: ports, "already running", and remote mode
- What port does the Gateway use?
- Why does
moltbot gateway statussayRuntime: runningbutRPC probe: failed? - Why does
moltbot gateway statusshowConfig (cli)andConfig (service)different? - What does "another gateway instance is already listening" mean?
- How do I run Moltbot in remote mode (client connects to a Gateway elsewhere)?
- The Control UI says "unauthorized" (or keeps reconnecting). What now?
- I set
gateway.bind: "tailnet"but it can't bind / nothing listens - Can I run multiple Gateways on the same host?
- What does "invalid handshake" / code 1008 mean?
- Logging and debugging
- Where are logs?
- How do I start/stop/restart the Gateway service?
- I closed my terminal on Windows - how do I restart Moltbot?
- The Gateway is up but replies never arrive. What should I check?
- "Disconnected from gateway: no reason" - what now?
- Telegram setMyCommands fails with network errors. What should I check?
- TUI shows no output. What should I check?
- How do I completely stop then start the Gateway?
- ELI5:
moltbot gateway restartvsmoltbot gateway - What's the fastest way to get more details when something fails?
- Media & attachments
- Security and access control
- Is it safe to expose Moltbot to inbound DMs?
- Is prompt injection only a concern for public bots?
- Should my bot have its own email GitHub account or phone number
- Can I give it autonomy over my text messages and is that safe
- Can I use cheaper models for personal assistant tasks?
- I ran
/startin Telegram but didn't get a pairing code - WhatsApp: will it message my contacts? How does pairing work?
- Chat commands, aborting tasks, and "it won't stop"
First 60 seconds if something's broken
-
Quick status (first check)
moltbot statusFast local summary: OS + update, gateway/service reachability, agents/sessions, provider config + runtime issues (when gateway is reachable).
-
Pasteable report (safe to share)
moltbot status --allRead-only diagnosis with log tail (tokens redacted).
-
Daemon + port state
moltbot gateway statusShows supervisor runtime vs RPC reachability, the probe target URL, and which config the service likely used.
-
Deep probes
moltbot status --deepRuns gateway health checks + provider probes (requires a reachable gateway). See Health.
-
Tail the latest log
moltbot logs --followIf RPC is down, fall back to:
tail -f "$(ls -t /tmp/moltbot/moltbot-*.log | head -1)"File logs are separate from service logs; see Logging and Troubleshooting.
-
Run the doctor (repairs)
moltbot doctorRepairs/migrates config/state + runs health checks. See Doctor.
-
Gateway snapshot
moltbot health --json
moltbot health --verbose # shows the target URL + config path on errorsAsks the running gateway for a full snapshot (WS-only). See Health.
Quick start and first-run setup
Im stuck whats the fastest way to get unstuck
Use a local AI agent that can see your machine. That is far more effective than asking in Discord, because most "I'm stuck" cases are local config or environment issues that remote helpers cannot inspect.
- Claude Code: https://www.anthropic.com/claude-code/
- OpenAI Codex: https://openai.com/codex/
These tools can read the repo, run commands, inspect logs, and help fix your machine-level setup (PATH, services, permissions, auth files). Give them the full source checkout via the hackable (git) install:
curl -fsSL https://molt.bot/install.sh | bash -s -- --install-method git
This installs Moltbot from a git checkout, so the agent can read the code + docs and
reason about the exact version you are running. You can always switch back to stable later
by re-running the installer without --install-method git.
Tip: ask the agent to plan and supervise the fix (step-by-step), then execute only the necessary commands. That keeps changes small and easier to audit.
If you discover a real bug or fix, please file a GitHub issue or send a PR: https://github.com/moltbot/moltbot/issues https://github.com/moltbot/moltbot/pulls
Start with these commands (share outputs when asking for help):
moltbot status
moltbot models status
moltbot doctor
What they do:
moltbot status: quick snapshot of gateway/agent health + basic config.moltbot models status: checks provider auth + model availability.moltbot doctor: validates and repairs common config/state issues.
Other useful CLI checks: moltbot status --all, moltbot logs --follow,
moltbot gateway status, moltbot health --verbose.
Quick debug loop: First 60 seconds if something's broken. Install docs: Install, Installer flags, Updating.
Whats the recommended way to install and set up Moltbot
The repo recommends running from source and using the onboarding wizard:
curl -fsSL https://molt.bot/install.sh | bash
moltbot onboard --install-daemon
The wizard can also build UI assets automatically. After onboarding, you typically run the Gateway on port 18789.
From source (contributors/dev):
git clone https://github.com/moltbot/moltbot.git
cd moltbot
pnpm install
pnpm build
pnpm ui:build # auto-installs UI deps on first run
moltbot onboard
If you don't have a global install yet, run it via pnpm moltbot onboard.
How do I open the dashboard after onboarding
The wizard now opens your browser with a tokenized dashboard URL right after onboarding and also prints the full link (with token) in the summary. Keep that tab open; if it didn't launch, copy/paste the printed URL on the same machine. Tokens stay local to your host-nothing is fetched from the browser.
How do I authenticate the dashboard token on localhost vs remote
Localhost (same machine):
- Open
http://127.0.0.1:18789/. - If it asks for auth, run
moltbot dashboardand use the tokenized link (?token=...). - The token is the same value as
gateway.auth.token(orCLAWDBOT_GATEWAY_TOKEN) and is stored by the UI after first load.
Not on localhost:
- Tailscale Serve (recommended): keep bind loopback, run
moltbot gateway --tailscale serve, openhttps://<magicdns>/. Ifgateway.auth.allowTailscaleistrue, identity headers satisfy auth (no token). - Tailnet bind: run
moltbot gateway --bind tailnet --token "<token>", openhttp://<tailscale-ip>:18789/, paste token in dashboard settings. - SSH tunnel:
ssh -N -L 18789:127.0.0.1:18789 user@hostthen openhttp://127.0.0.1:18789/?token=...frommoltbot dashboard.
See Dashboard and Web surfaces for bind modes and auth details.
What runtime do I need
Node >= 22 is required. pnpm is recommended. Bun is not recommended for the Gateway.
Does it run on Raspberry Pi
Yes. The Gateway is lightweight - docs list 512MB-1GB RAM, 1 core, and about 500MB disk as enough for personal use, and note that a Raspberry Pi 4 can run it.
If you want extra headroom (logs, media, other services), 2GB is recommended, but it's not a hard minimum.
Tip: a small Pi/VPS can host the Gateway, and you can pair nodes on your laptop/phone for local screen/camera/canvas or command execution. See Nodes.
Any tips for Raspberry Pi installs
Short version: it works, but expect rough edges.
- Use a 64-bit OS and keep Node >= 22.
- Prefer the hackable (git) install so you can see logs and update fast.
- Start without channels/skills, then add them one by one.
- If you hit weird binary issues, it is usually an ARM compatibility problem.
It is stuck on wake up my friend onboarding will not hatch What now
That screen depends on the Gateway being reachable and authenticated. The TUI also sends "Wake up, my friend!" automatically on first hatch. If you see that line with no reply and tokens stay at 0, the agent never ran.
- Restart the Gateway:
moltbot gateway restart
- Check status + auth:
moltbot status
moltbot models status
moltbot logs --follow
- If it still hangs, run:
moltbot doctor
If the Gateway is remote, ensure the tunnel/Tailscale connection is up and that the UI is pointed at the right Gateway. See Remote access.
Can I migrate my setup to a new machine Mac mini without redoing onboarding
Yes. Copy the state directory and workspace, then run Doctor once. This keeps your bot "exactly the same" (memory, session history, auth, and channel state) as long as you copy both locations:
- Install Moltbot on the new machine.
- Copy
$CLAWDBOT_STATE_DIR(default:~/.clawdbot) from the old machine. - Copy your workspace (default:
~/clawd). - Run
moltbot doctorand restart the Gateway service.
That preserves config, auth profiles, WhatsApp creds, sessions, and memory. If you're in remote mode, remember the gateway host owns the session store and workspace.
Important: if you only commit/push your workspace to GitHub, you're backing
up memory + bootstrap files, but not session history or auth. Those live
under ~/.clawdbot/ (for example ~/.clawdbot/agents/<agentId>/sessions/).
Related: Migrating, Where things live on disk, Agent workspace, Doctor, Remote mode.
Where do I see whats new in the latest version
Check the GitHub changelog: https://github.com/moltbot/moltbot/blob/main/CHANGELOG.md
Newest entries are at the top. If the top section is marked Unreleased, the next dated section is the latest shipped version. Entries are grouped by Highlights, Changes, and Fixes (plus docs/other sections when needed).
I cant access docsmoltbot SSL error What now
Some Comcast/Xfinity connections incorrectly block docs.molt.bot via Xfinity
Advanced Security. Disable it or allowlist docs.molt.bot, then retry. More
detail: Troubleshooting.
Please help us unblock it by reporting here: https://spa.xfinity.com/check_url_status.
If you still can't reach the site, the docs are mirrored on GitHub: https://github.com/moltbot/moltbot/tree/main/docs
Whats the difference between stable and beta
Stable and beta are npm dist-tags, not separate code lines:
latest= stablebeta= early build for testing
We ship builds to beta, test them, and once a build is solid we promote
that same version to latest. That's why beta and stable can point at the
same version.
See what changed: https://github.com/moltbot/moltbot/blob/main/CHANGELOG.md
How do I install the beta version and whats the difference between beta and dev
Beta is the npm dist-tag beta (may match latest).
Dev is the moving head of main (git); when published, it uses the npm dist-tag dev.
One-liners (macOS/Linux):
curl -fsSL --proto '=https' --tlsv1.2 https://molt.bot/install.sh | bash -s -- --beta
curl -fsSL --proto '=https' --tlsv1.2 https://molt.bot/install.sh | bash -s -- --install-method git
Windows installer (PowerShell): https://molt.bot/install.ps1
More detail: Development channels and Installer flags.
How long does install and onboarding usually take
Rough guide:
- Install: 2-5 minutes
- Onboarding: 5-15 minutes depending on how many channels/models you configure
If it hangs, use Installer stuck and the fast debug loop in Im stuck.
How do I try the latest bits
Two options:
- Dev channel (git checkout):
moltbot update --channel dev
This switches to the main branch and updates from source.
- Hackable install (from the installer site):
curl -fsSL https://molt.bot/install.sh | bash -s -- --install-method git
That gives you a local repo you can edit, then update via git.
If you prefer a clean clone manually, use:
git clone https://github.com/moltbot/moltbot.git
cd moltbot
pnpm install
pnpm build
Docs: Update, Development channels, Install.
Installer stuck How do I get more feedback
Re-run the installer with verbose output:
curl -fsSL https://molt.bot/install.sh | bash -s -- --verbose
Beta install with verbose:
curl -fsSL https://molt.bot/install.sh | bash -s -- --beta --verbose
For a hackable (git) install:
curl -fsSL https://molt.bot/install.sh | bash -s -- --install-method git --verbose
More options: Installer flags.
Windows install says git not found or moltbot not recognized
Two common Windows issues:
1) npm error spawn git / git not found
- Install Git for Windows and make sure
gitis on your PATH. - Close and reopen PowerShell, then re-run the installer.
2) moltbot is not recognized after install
- Your npm global bin folder is not on PATH.
- Check the path:
npm config get prefix - Ensure
<prefix>\\binis on PATH (on most systems it is%AppData%\\npm). - Close and reopen PowerShell after updating PATH.
If you want the smoothest Windows setup, use WSL2 instead of native Windows. Docs: Windows.
The docs didnt answer my question how do I get a better answer
Use the hackable (git) install so you have the full source and docs locally, then ask your bot (or Claude/Codex) from that folder so it can read the repo and answer precisely.
curl -fsSL https://molt.bot/install.sh | bash -s -- --install-method git
More detail: Install and Installer flags.
How do I install Moltbot on Linux
Short answer: follow the Linux guide, then run the onboarding wizard.
- Linux quick path + service install: Linux.
- Full walkthrough: Getting Started.
- Installer + updates: Install & updates.
How do I install Moltbot on a VPS
Any Linux VPS works. Install on the server, then use SSH/Tailscale to reach the Gateway.
Guides: exe.dev, Hetzner, Fly.io. Remote access: Gateway remote.
Where are the cloudVPS install guides
We keep a hosting hub with the common providers. Pick one and follow the guide:
- VPS hosting (all providers in one place)
- Fly.io
- Hetzner
- exe.dev
How it works in the cloud: the Gateway runs on the server, and you access it from your laptop/phone via the Control UI (or Tailscale/SSH). Your state + workspace live on the server, so treat the host as the source of truth and back it up.
You can pair nodes (Mac/iOS/Android/headless) to that cloud Gateway to access local screen/camera/canvas or run commands on your laptop while keeping the Gateway in the cloud.
Hub: Platforms. Remote access: Gateway remote. Nodes: Nodes, Nodes CLI.
Can I ask Clawd to update itself
Short answer: possible, not recommended. The update flow can restart the Gateway (which drops the active session), may need a clean git checkout, and can prompt for confirmation. Safer: run updates from a shell as the operator.
Use the CLI:
moltbot update
moltbot update status
moltbot update --channel stable|beta|dev
moltbot update --tag <dist-tag|version>
moltbot update --no-restart
If you must automate from an agent:
moltbot update --yes --no-restart
moltbot gateway restart
What does the onboarding wizard actually do
moltbot onboard is the recommended setup path. In local mode it walks you through:
- Model/auth setup (Anthropic setup-token recommended for Claude subscriptions, OpenAI Codex OAuth supported, API keys optional, LM Studio local models supported)
- Workspace location + bootstrap files
- Gateway settings (bind/port/auth/tailscale)
- Providers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, Mattermost (plugin), Signal, iMessage)
- Daemon install (LaunchAgent on macOS; systemd user unit on Linux/WSL2)
- Health checks and skills selection
It also warns if your configured model is unknown or missing auth.
Do I need a Claude or OpenAI subscription to run this
No. You can run Moltbot with API keys (Anthropic/OpenAI/others) or with local-only models so your data stays on your device. Subscriptions (Claude Pro/Max or OpenAI Codex) are optional ways to authenticate those providers.
Docs: Anthropic, OpenAI, Local models, Models.
Can I use Claude Max subscription without an API key
Yes. You can authenticate with a setup-token instead of an API key. This is the subscription path.
Claude Pro/Max subscriptions do not include an API key, so this is the correct approach for subscription accounts. Important: you must verify with Anthropic that this usage is allowed under their subscription policy and terms. If you want the most explicit, supported path, use an Anthropic API key.
How does Anthropic setuptoken auth work
claude setup-token generates a token string via the Claude Code CLI (it is not available in the web console). You can run it on any machine. Choose Anthropic token (paste setup-token) in the wizard or paste it with moltbot models auth paste-token --provider anthropic. The token is stored as an auth profile for the anthropic provider and used like an API key (no auto-refresh). More detail: OAuth.
Where do I find an Anthropic setuptoken
It is not in the Anthropic Console. The setup-token is generated by the Claude Code CLI on any machine:
claude setup-token
Copy the token it prints, then choose Anthropic token (paste setup-token) in the wizard. If you want to run it on the gateway host, use moltbot models auth setup-token --provider anthropic. If you ran claude setup-token elsewhere, paste it on the gateway host with moltbot models auth paste-token --provider anthropic. See Anthropic.
Do you support Claude subscription auth (Claude Pro/Max)
Yes - via setup-token. Moltbot no longer reuses Claude Code CLI OAuth tokens; use a setup-token or an Anthropic API key. Generate the token anywhere and paste it on the gateway host. See Anthropic and OAuth.
Note: Claude subscription access is governed by Anthropic's terms. For production or multi-user workloads, API keys are usually the safer choice.
Why am I seeing HTTP 429 ratelimiterror from Anthropic
That means your Anthropic quota/rate limit is exhausted for the current window. If you use a Claude subscription (setup-token or Claude Code OAuth), wait for the window to reset or upgrade your plan. If you use an Anthropic API key, check the Anthropic Console for usage/billing and raise limits as needed.
Tip: set a fallback model so Moltbot can keep replying while a provider is rate-limited. See Models and OAuth.
Is AWS Bedrock supported
Yes - via pi-ai's Amazon Bedrock (Converse) provider with manual config. You must supply AWS credentials/region on the gateway host and add a Bedrock provider entry in your models config. See Amazon Bedrock and Model providers. If you prefer a managed key flow, an OpenAI-compatible proxy in front of Bedrock is still a valid option.
How does Codex auth work
Moltbot supports OpenAI Code (Codex) via OAuth (ChatGPT sign-in). The wizard can run the OAuth flow and will set the default model to openai-codex/gpt-5.2 when appropriate. See Model providers and Wizard.
Do you support OpenAI subscription auth Codex OAuth
Yes. Moltbot fully supports OpenAI Code (Codex) subscription OAuth. The onboarding wizard can run the OAuth flow for you.
See OAuth, Model providers, and Wizard.
How do I set up Gemini CLI OAuth
Gemini CLI uses a plugin auth flow, not a client id or secret in moltbot.json.
Steps:
- Enable the plugin:
moltbot plugins enable google-gemini-cli-auth - Login:
moltbot models auth login --provider google-gemini-cli --set-default
This stores OAuth tokens in auth profiles on the gateway host. Details: Model providers.
Is a local model OK for casual chats
Usually no. Moltbot needs large context + strong safety; small cards truncate and leak. If you must, run the largest MiniMax M2.1 build you can locally (LM Studio) and see /gateway/local-models. Smaller/quantized models increase prompt-injection risk - see Security.
How do I keep hosted model traffic in a specific region
Pick region-pinned endpoints. OpenRouter exposes US-hosted options for MiniMax, Kimi, and GLM; choose the US-hosted variant to keep data in-region. You can still list Anthropic/OpenAI alongside these by using models.mode: "merge" so fallbacks stay available while respecting the regioned provider you select.
Do I have to buy a Mac Mini to install this
No. Moltbot runs on macOS or Linux (Windows via WSL2). A Mac mini is optional - some people buy one as an always-on host, but a small VPS, home server, or Raspberry Pi-class box works too.
You only need a Mac for macOS-only tools. For iMessage, you can keep the Gateway on Linux
and run imsg on any Mac over SSH by pointing channels.imessage.cliPath at an SSH wrapper.
If you want other macOS-only tools, run the Gateway on a Mac or pair a macOS node.
Docs: iMessage, Nodes, Mac remote mode.
Do I need a Mac mini for iMessage support
You need some macOS device signed into Messages. It does not have to be a Mac mini -
any Mac works. Moltbot's iMessage integrations run on macOS (BlueBubbles or imsg), while
the Gateway can run elsewhere.
Common setups:
- Run the Gateway on Linux/VPS, and point
channels.imessage.cliPathat an SSH wrapper that runsimsgon the Mac. - Run everything on the Mac if you want the simplest single-machine setup.
Docs: iMessage, BlueBubbles, Mac remote mode.
If I buy a Mac mini to run Moltbot can I connect it to my MacBook Pro
Yes. The Mac mini can run the Gateway, and your MacBook Pro can connect as a
node (companion device). Nodes don't run the Gateway - they provide extra
capabilities like screen/camera/canvas and system.run on that device.
Common pattern:
- Gateway on the Mac mini (always-on).
- MacBook Pro runs the macOS app or a node host and pairs to the Gateway.
- Use
moltbot nodes status/moltbot nodes listto see it.
Can I use Bun
Bun is not recommended. We see runtime bugs, especially with WhatsApp and Telegram. Use Node for stable gateways.
If you still want to experiment with Bun, do it on a non-production gateway without WhatsApp/Telegram.
Telegram what goes in allowFrom
channels.telegram.allowFrom is the human sender's Telegram user ID (numeric, recommended) or @username. It is not the bot username.
Safer (no third-party bot):
- DM your bot, then run
moltbot logs --followand readfrom.id.
Official Bot API:
- DM your bot, then call
https://api.telegram.org/bot<bot_token>/getUpdatesand readmessage.from.id.
Third-party (less private):
- DM
@userinfobotor@getidsbot.
See /channels/telegram.
Can multiple people use one WhatsApp number with different Moltbots
Yes, via multi-agent routing. Bind each sender's WhatsApp DM (peer kind: "dm", sender E.164 like +15551234567) to a different agentId, so each person gets their own workspace and session store. Replies still come from the same WhatsApp account, and DM access control (channels.whatsapp.dmPolicy / channels.whatsapp.allowFrom) is global per WhatsApp account. See Multi-Agent Routing and WhatsApp.
Can I run a fast chat agent and an Opus for coding agent
Yes. Use multi-agent routing: give each agent its own default model, then bind inbound routes (provider account or specific peers) to each agent. Example config lives in Multi-Agent Routing. See also Models and Configuration.
Does Homebrew work on Linux
Yes. Homebrew supports Linux (Linuxbrew). Quick setup:
/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"
echo 'eval "$(/home/linuxbrew/.linuxbrew/bin/brew shellenv)"' >> ~/.profile
eval "$(/home/linuxbrew/.linuxbrew/bin/brew shellenv)"
brew install <formula>
If you run Moltbot via systemd, ensure the service PATH includes /home/linuxbrew/.linuxbrew/bin (or your brew prefix) so brew-installed tools resolve in non-login shells.
Recent builds also prepend common user bin dirs on Linux systemd services (for example ~/.local/bin, ~/.npm-global/bin, ~/.local/share/pnpm, ~/.bun/bin) and honor PNPM_HOME, NPM_CONFIG_PREFIX, BUN_INSTALL, VOLTA_HOME, ASDF_DATA_DIR, NVM_DIR, and FNM_DIR when set.
Whats the difference between the hackable git install and npm install
- Hackable (git) install: full source checkout, editable, best for contributors. You run builds locally and can patch code/docs.
- npm install: global CLI install, no repo, best for "just run it." Updates come from npm dist-tags.
Docs: Getting started, Updating.
Can I switch between npm and git installs later
Yes. Install the other flavor, then run Doctor so the gateway service points at the new entrypoint.
This does not delete your data - it only changes the Moltbot code install. Your state
(~/.clawdbot) and workspace (~/clawd) stay untouched.
From npm → git:
git clone https://github.com/moltbot/moltbot.git
cd moltbot
pnpm install
pnpm build
moltbot doctor
moltbot gateway restart
From git → npm:
npm install -g moltbot@latest
moltbot doctor
moltbot gateway restart
Doctor detects a gateway service entrypoint mismatch and offers to rewrite the service config to match the current install (use --repair in automation).
Backup tips: see Backup strategy.
Should I run the Gateway on my laptop or a VPS
Short answer: if you want 24/7 reliability, use a VPS. If you want the lowest friction and you're okay with sleep/restarts, run it locally.
Laptop (local Gateway)
- Pros: no server cost, direct access to local files, live browser window.
- Cons: sleep/network drops = disconnects, OS updates/reboots interrupt, must stay awake.
VPS / cloud
- Pros: always-on, stable network, no laptop sleep issues, easier to keep running.
- Cons: often run headless (use screenshots), remote file access only, you must SSH for updates.
Moltbot-specific note: WhatsApp/Telegram/Slack/Mattermost (plugin)/Discord all work fine from a VPS. The only real trade-off is headless browser vs a visible window. See Browser.
Recommended default: VPS if you had gateway disconnects before. Local is great when you're actively using the Mac and want local file access or UI automation with a visible browser.
How important is it to run Moltbot on a dedicated machine
Not required, but recommended for reliability and isolation.
- Dedicated host (VPS/Mac mini/Pi): always-on, fewer sleep/reboot interruptions, cleaner permissions, easier to keep running.
- Shared laptop/desktop: totally fine for testing and active use, but expect pauses when the machine sleeps or updates.
If you want the best of both worlds, keep the Gateway on a dedicated host and pair your laptop as a node for local screen/camera/exec tools. See Nodes. For security guidance, read Security.
What are the minimum VPS requirements and recommended OS
Moltbot is lightweight. For a basic Gateway + one chat channel:
- Absolute minimum: 1 vCPU, 1GB RAM, ~500MB disk.
- Recommended: 1-2 vCPU, 2GB RAM or more for headroom (logs, media, multiple channels). Node tools and browser automation can be resource hungry.
OS: use Ubuntu LTS (or any modern Debian/Ubuntu). The Linux install path is best tested there.
Docs: Linux, VPS hosting.
Can I run Moltbot in a VM and what are the requirements
Yes. Treat a VM the same as a VPS: it needs to be always on, reachable, and have enough RAM for the Gateway and any channels you enable.
Baseline guidance:
- Absolute minimum: 1 vCPU, 1GB RAM.
- Recommended: 2GB RAM or more if you run multiple channels, browser automation, or media tools.
- OS: Ubuntu LTS or another modern Debian/Ubuntu.
If you are on Windows, WSL2 is the easiest VM style setup and has the best tooling compatibility. See Windows, VPS hosting. If you are running macOS in a VM, see macOS VM.
What is Moltbot?
What is Moltbot in one paragraph
Moltbot is a personal AI assistant you run on your own devices. It replies on the messaging surfaces you already use (WhatsApp, Telegram, Slack, Mattermost (plugin), Discord, Google Chat, Signal, iMessage, WebChat) and can also do voice + a live Canvas on supported platforms. The Gateway is the always-on control plane; the assistant is the product.
Whats the value proposition
Moltbot is not "just a Claude wrapper." It's a local-first control plane that lets you run a capable assistant on your own hardware, reachable from the chat apps you already use, with stateful sessions, memory, and tools - without handing control of your workflows to a hosted SaaS.
Highlights:
- Your devices, your data: run the Gateway wherever you want (Mac, Linux, VPS) and keep the workspace + session history local.
- Real channels, not a web sandbox: WhatsApp/Telegram/Slack/Discord/Signal/iMessage/etc, plus mobile voice and Canvas on supported platforms.
- Model-agnostic: use Anthropic, OpenAI, MiniMax, OpenRouter, etc., with per-agent routing and failover.
- Local-only option: run local models so all data can stay on your device if you want.
- Multi-agent routing: separate agents per channel, account, or task, each with its own workspace and defaults.
- Open source and hackable: inspect, extend, and self-host without vendor lock-in.
Docs: Gateway, Channels, Multi-agent, Memory.
I just set it up what should I do first
Good first projects:
- Build a website (WordPress, Shopify, or a simple static site).
- Prototype a mobile app (outline, screens, API plan).
- Organize files and folders (cleanup, naming, tagging).
- Connect Gmail and automate summaries or follow ups.
It can handle large tasks, but it works best when you split them into phases and use sub agents for parallel work.
What are the top five everyday use cases for Moltbot
Everyday wins usually look like:
- Personal briefings: summaries of inbox, calendar, and news you care about.
- Research and drafting: quick research, summaries, and first drafts for emails or docs.
- Reminders and follow ups: cron or heartbeat driven nudges and checklists.
- Browser automation: filling forms, collecting data, and repeating web tasks.
- Cross device coordination: send a task from your phone, let the Gateway run it on a server, and get the result back in chat.
Can Moltbot help with lead gen outreach ads and blogs for a SaaS
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