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Version: 1.0.17

Frequently Asked Questions (Simple)

Quick answers to common questions about ElizaOS agents.

🚀 Getting Started​

What is ElizaOS?​

ElizaOS is a platform for creating AI agents - think of them as smart chatbots with personality! You can chat with them, have them help you with tasks, or integrate them into Discord, Twitter, and other platforms.

Do I need to know how to code?​

No! We provide templates and simple configuration files. You just need to:

  • Copy and paste commands
  • Edit text files (like writing in Notepad)
  • Follow our step-by-step guides

How much does it cost?​

ElizaOS itself is free and open source! However, you'll need:

  • An AI API key (OpenAI costs ~$5-20/month for casual use)
  • Optional: Server hosting (~$5-20/month if you want 24/7 operation)
  • Free option: Use Local AI (slower but completely free)

Cost Breakdown Example (Monthly):

Usage LevelAI API CostHostingTotal
Testing/Learning$0-5 (free tier)$0 (local)$0-5
Personal Bot$5-15$0 (local)$5-15
Community Bot$15-50$5-20$20-70
Business Bot$50-200$20-100$70-300

💡 Tip: Start with free local AI to learn, then upgrade when ready!

What can my agent do?​

Your agent can:

  • 💬 Have conversations
  • 📱 Post on social media
  • 🎮 Join Discord servers
  • 📧 Send messages
  • 🎨 Generate creative content
  • 🤖 Automate tasks
  • And much more with plugins!

⚙️ Setup & Configuration​

Which AI provider should I choose?​

ProviderBest ForCostSpeed
OpenAIBeginners, best quality~$0.01 per 1000 wordsFast
ClaudeLong conversations~$0.01 per 1000 wordsFast
Local AIFree usageFreeSlow

Where do I get an API key?​

For OpenAI:

  1. Go to platform.openai.com
  2. Sign up or log in
  3. Click "API Keys" → "Create new secret key"
  4. Copy the key (starts with sk- prefix)

For Claude (Anthropic):

  1. Go to console.anthropic.com
  2. Sign up or log in
  3. Click "API Keys" → "Create Key"
  4. Copy the key

My agent won't start - help​

Try these steps in order:

  1. Check your API key - Make sure it's in the .env file
  2. Check for typos - No extra spaces or quotes around the key
  3. Restart - Stop (Ctrl+C) and run bun start again
  4. Check credits - Make sure your API account has credits
  5. Try Local AI - Remove API keys to use free local mode

How do I change my agent's personality?​

Edit the character.json file:

{
  "name": "Your Agent Name",
  "plugins": ["@elizaos/plugin-sql", "@elizaos/plugin-openai", "@elizaos/plugin-bootstrap"],
  "bio": ["Write your agent's background here", "Add more personality details"],
  "style": {
    "all": ["friendly", "helpful", "creative"]
  }
}

Save the file and restart your agent!

💬 Using Your Agent​

How do I talk to my agent?​

Three ways:

  1. Web Browser: Go to http://localhost:3000
  2. Terminal: Type directly where you started the agent
  3. Discord/Twitter: If you've set up those integrations

My agent keeps forgetting our conversation​

Agents remember recent messages but not everything forever. To help:

  • Keep conversations focused
  • Remind the agent of important context
  • Use the same chat room/thread
  • Avoid very long conversations

Can my agent learn about me?​

Yes! Agents remember:

  • Your name and preferences
  • Recent conversations
  • Important facts you share
  • Your interaction patterns

How do I make my agent stop?​

Press Ctrl+C (or Cmd+C on Mac) in the terminal where it's running.

🔌 Features & Plugins​

How do I add Discord to my agent?​

  1. Get a Discord bot token from the Discord Developer Portal

  2. Add to your .env file:

    DISCORD_API_TOKEN=your-bot-token
    DISCORD_APPLICATION_ID=your-app-id

  3. Restart your agent

  4. Invite the bot to your server

For a complete Discord agent example, see our Discord Agent Template.

Can my agent post on Twitter?​

Yes! You need:

  • Twitter API access (requires approval)
  • Four API keys from Twitter
  • Add them to your .env file

For a complete Twitter agent example, see our Twitter Agent Template.

What plugins are available?​

Popular plugins:

  • 🎮 Discord - Chat in Discord servers
  • 🐦 Twitter - Post and reply on Twitter
  • 💬 Telegram - Telegram bot integration
  • 🎙️ Voice - Voice chat capabilities
  • 🖼️ Image Generation - Create images
  • And many more!

How do I install plugins?​

Simple command:

bun add @elizaos/plugin-name

Then add to your agent configuration!

🚨 Troubleshooting​

"API key not found" error​

Check:

  • ✅ Key is in .env file
  • ✅ No quotes around the key
  • ✅ File is saved
  • ✅ You restarted the agent

"Port already in use" error​

Another program is using port 3000. Either:

  • Stop the other program, OR

  • Change port in .env:

    PORT=3001

Agent responses are slow​

Possible causes:

  • Using Local AI (it's slower but free)
  • Poor internet connection
  • API service is busy
  • Try a different AI provider

Agent gives weird responses​

Try:

  • Adjusting the temperature (lower = more focused)
  • Providing clearer character description
  • Using better examples in character file
  • Switching AI models

🌐 Deployment​

How do I keep my agent running 24/7?​

Options:

  1. Cloud Hosting (Easiest) - Use services like:

    • Railway.app
      • ✅ One-click deploy
      • ✅ ~$5/month
      • ✅ No server knowledge needed
      • Deploy Guide →
    • Render.com
      • ✅ Free tier available
      • ✅ Auto-deploy from GitHub
      • ✅ Great for beginners
      • Deploy Guide →
    • Heroku
      • ✅ Well-documented
      • ✅ ~$7/month
      • ✅ Lots of tutorials

  2. Home Server - Use an old computer

    • ✅ Free (just electricity)
    • ❌ Need stable internet
    • ❌ Computer must stay on

  3. Raspberry Pi - Low power, always on

    • ✅ ~$50 one-time cost
    • ✅ Very low power usage
    • ❌ Requires some setup

Can multiple people use my agent?​

Yes! Once deployed:

  • Web chat supports multiple users
  • Discord bot works for whole servers
  • Each platform handles multiple conversations

How do I update my agent?​

bun install -g @elizaos/cli@latest

Then restart your agent!

💡 Tips & Best Practices​

Making your agent more interesting​

  1. Give it a backstory - More detail = better personality
  2. Add quirks - Favorite phrases, topics, reactions
  3. Use examples - Show how it should respond
  4. Set boundaries - What it should/shouldn't discuss

Saving money on API costs​

  • Use shorter conversations
  • Set token limits in configuration
  • Use Local AI for testing
  • Monitor usage in your API dashboard

Getting help​

🎯 Quick Start Checklist​

New to ElizaOS? Follow this order:

  1. ⬜ Read the 5-minute quick start
  2. ⬜ Get an API key (OpenAI recommended for beginners)
  3. ⬜ Download and run your first agent
  4. ⬜ Chat with it locally
  5. ⬜ Pick a template from the gallery
  6. ⬜ Customize the personality
  7. ⬜ Choose a platform (Discord/Telegram/Twitter)
  8. ⬜ Deploy online (optional)
  9. ⬜ Join our community for help!

🆘 Emergency Help​

Nothing is working​

Reset everything:

# Stop your agent (Ctrl+C)
# Delete and re-download
rm -rf your-agent-folder
bunx create-eliza-app your-agent-name
cd your-agent-name
# Follow setup again carefully

I'm completely lost​

  1. Watch a video walkthrough: YouTube Tutorial
  2. Join Discord: Get live help in #beginner-help
  3. Book office hours: Free 15-min help sessions weekly

❓ Still Have Questions?​

Can't find your answer here?

Remember: There are no stupid questions! We're here to help you succeed with your AI agent. 🚀

🌟 Success Story: "I had never coded before, but within an hour I had my own AI assistant helping manage my Discord server!" - Sarah, Community Manager