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Getting Started

From sign-up to your first AI conversation in about 10 minutes.

1. Create your account​

Head to the Console and enter your email address. You'll receive a magic link — click it to sign in. No password needed.

2. Add an instance and subscribe​

From your dashboard, click Add Instance to create a new CrabShack instance. Give it a name and complete the subscription checkout. Your first month includes $8 of AI credits to get started.

3. Download the ISO​

Once subscribed, you'll see ISO download buttons on your dashboard. Pick the right one for your hardware:

  • Intel / AMD — for x86_64 machines (most PCs, Intel Macs)
  • Apple Silicon — for M1, M2, M3, and M4 Macs

4. Install a hypervisor​

CrabShack runs inside a virtual machine on your computer. You'll need a hypervisor to create the VM:

Mac (Apple Silicon)​

Download and install UTM. It's free and purpose-built for Apple Silicon Macs.

Windows or Linux​

Use VMware Workstation (free for personal use) or any hypervisor that supports booting from an ISO image.

Mac (Intel)​

Use VMware Fusion (free for personal use) or UTM.

5. Create the VM and install CrabShack​

Create a new virtual machine with these recommended specs:

SettingRecommendation
CPU2 cores (or more)
RAM4 GB minimum
Disk50 GB
NetworkBridged or NAT (needs internet access)
BootMount the CrabShack ISO as the CD/DVD drive

Boot the VM from the ISO and the automated installer will handle the rest. During the install, you'll be asked to enter the email address you signed up with. Once the install completes, the VM will reboot and begin setting up your CrabShack environment — this can take a little while as it downloads everything it needs. When it's ready, you'll receive a magic link via email to activate your instance.

UTM users

UTM doesn't automatically remove the ISO after install. If you missed the disk boot order step in the video walkthrough, you may boot back into the installer again — you'll see the CrabShack beach and be prompted for your email as if it's a fresh install. Your CrabShack is already installed. To fix this, right-click the USB drive icon and click Stop, then go to Edit → select the USB drive → click Clear, and save.

Video walkthroughs​

6. Complete the setup wizard​

Once CrabShack is running, open the web interface on your VM (shown after install). A short setup wizard walks you through getting your first agent ready:

  1. What's your business? — pick the category that's closest to yours (restaurant, retail, professional services, healthcare, real estate, or other). This just helps CrabShack suggest the right agent templates later.
  2. Name your agent and give it a personality — pick a tone (warm, professional, or snappy) and optionally describe how it should come across.
  3. Choose a model — pick a balance of speed, cost, and capability, or browse specific models if you already have a preference.
  4. Connect a channel — pick where you'll talk to your agent (WhatsApp is the most common starting point; Telegram, Slack, and Discord are also available). You can skip this and connect a channel later.
  5. Have your first conversation — chat with your agent right there in the wizard to make sure everything's working.
  6. Review what's set up — a short checklist confirms what you've configured, with suggested next steps like teaching your agent about your business via the Knowledge Base, or adding a second agent for a different job.

From there you land on your dashboard, ready to go.

7. Choose your AI models later, if you want​

Your subscription comes with AI credits that work with all models on OpenRouter — GPT-4o, Claude, Gemini, Llama, Mistral, and more. You can change your agent's model anytime from its Model settings. If you already have a ChatGPT Plus or Pro plan, you can link it there to use GPT models at no extra credit cost. You can also run models for free, directly on your instance, if it has enough spare memory — see Models & Services for the full range of options, including running models locally.

What's Next​

  • Agents — create additional agents for specific jobs
  • Models & Services — connect more providers, or run models locally for free
  • MCP — connect business apps like Xero, Lightspeed, or ServiceM8
  • Automations — follow-ups, approvals, and scheduled tasks
  • Memory & Knowledge — upload documents and see what your agent remembers

Ready to get started? Go to Console