Run a personal assistant over WhatsApp
The author runs OpenClaw on a cheap VPS, messaging it over WhatsApp to manage his calendar, browse the web, answer voice notes, and log habits to a Git-tracked file. Task: Suggested implementation: Deploy OpenClaw on a $5/month VPS using Docker, with headless Chromium for browsing and an SSH tunnel for gateway access. The agent manages Google Calendar and Gmail via gog CLI, logs habits to markdown files, and converts voice notes to action items using Gemini. Human role: The author interacts via WhatsApp, reviews automated outputs, and maintains the golden-config restore and watchdog to prevent configuration loss.; tools: OpenClaw. Human role: The original post does not say how a person stayed involved.; limitations: Prerequisites include a VPS, Docker, SSH tunnel, and API keys for Google/Gemini. Known constraints: OpenClaw may rewrite config and strip WhatsApp allowlist on startup, requiring a golden-config restore and watchdog. Chromium in Docker may need additional dependencies. Source reliability is low due to 403 error; human approval is required for all external actions..
Tools
Published on Agent Work Atlas:
Overview
The author runs OpenClaw on a cheap VPS, messaging it over WhatsApp to manage his calendar, browse the web, answer voice notes, and log habits to a Git-tracked file.
Workflow
Suggested implementation: Deploy OpenClaw on a $5/month VPS using Docker, with headless Chromium for browsing and an SSH tunnel for gateway access. The agent manages Google Calendar and Gmail via gog CLI, logs habits to markdown files, and converts voice notes to action items using Gemini. Human role: The author interacts via WhatsApp, reviews automated outputs, and maintains the golden-config restore and watchdog to prevent configuration loss.
Reported result
Actual outcomes are unknown as the source is inaccessible (HTTP 403). Proposed acceptance check: Verify that the WhatsApp allowlist persists after restarts, voice notes are correctly filed, and the agent successfully makes phone calls/reservations using the $5 eSIM number without manual intervention.
Human role
The original post does not say how a person stayed involved.
Limitations
Prerequisites include a VPS, Docker, SSH tunnel, and API keys for Google/Gemini. Known constraints: OpenClaw may rewrite config and strip WhatsApp allowlist on startup, requiring a golden-config restore and watchdog. Chromium in Docker may need additional dependencies. Source reliability is low due to 403 error; human approval is required for all external actions.
Try it
I want to set up a personal assistant using OpenClaw on a $5/month VPS. Please guide me through deploying it with Docker, headless Chromium, and an SSH tunnel. I will use WhatsApp for interaction, gog CLI for Google Calendar/Gmail, and Gemini for voice note processing. First, perform a dry run: deploy the container, verify the WhatsApp allowlist persists after a restart, and test voice note filing with a sample audio file. Do not connect to real accounts or make calls until I confirm the dry run is successful. If the config resets, apply the golden-config restore. Output a step-by-step deployment guide and a checklist for verifying stability and functionality.
Source reports are not independently verified. Publication date is the catalog publication date, not the original article date.