Before you rely on your agent: a launch checklist¶

Go through this list before you let your agent work on its own, or before customers or colleagues depend on it. Each item links to the guide that shows how.


Time needed	One test run of each task, plus 15 minutes for the security checklist
You need	Your client area login, your agent's dashboard, and access to your AI provider's console
Result	Every task has run once for real, you have a backup, and you know what it costs and what to do if it breaks

Skip the items for agents you do not use.

The AI¶

The AI key is connected and the agent answers.
- Hermes: Connect Hermes to Claude, then ask something in the dashboard Chat.
- n8n: the key is a credential inside n8n and its test says Connection tested successfully (Manage your credentials).
- OpenClaw: Settings → Models shows your provider as Ready (First steps with OpenClaw).
A spending limit is set with your AI provider. When it is reached, the agent stops answering until you add credit or raise the limit. (How much will the AI cost me?)
The model fits the job. A smaller model (for example Claude Haiku) is usually enough for everyday questions, replies and summaries, and costs less. (Change the AI model Hermes uses, Change the AI model OpenClaw uses)

The channel¶

The channel works from your phone. Send a message and get an answer written by the AI. In the Hermes dashboard, Channels shows the app as Connected. (Connect Telegram, Connect WhatsApp, Connect Discord)
WhatsApp uses a separate number, never your personal one. (Connect WhatsApp)
n8n can reach your Telegram. You tapped Start in your bot, and the Telegram credential is saved. (Contact form → AI → Telegram)

Who can talk to the agent¶

Hermes, WhatsApp and Telegram: Pairing → Approved users lists only people you know. (Choose who can talk to your agent)
Hermes, Discord: ALLOWED DISCORD USER IDS has only the IDs you trust. With none, Hermes ignores all Discord messages. (Connect Discord)
Telegram bot in the client area: Authorised Telegram IDs lists only the right accounts. (Your agent in the client area)
Everyone you approve can use your AI credit. Think about it before you let customers talk to the agent. (Answer customer questions from your own FAQ)

Scheduled tasks¶

Hermes has a home channel. Send /sethome in the chat where you want the results. Without it, the job runs but nothing arrives. (Schedule a recurring task)
Each scheduled task has run once, and you saw the result.
- Hermes: CRON → Trigger now (the lightning icon). The result arrives in your home channel and Last shows the time. (Schedule a recurring task)
- n8n: click Execute workflow on the canvas; every step gets a green tick. Then Publish: a schedule, webhook or form only runs on its own when the workflow says Published. (Run a workflow on a schedule, n8n troubleshooting)
- OpenClaw: Run now on the automation, then Run history shows OK and the result. (Schedule a recurring task in OpenClaw)
The time zone is right. Say it when you ask Hermes for a job ("Lisbon time"). In n8n, check Timezone in the workflow Settings. In OpenClaw, fill in Timezone. (Hermes, n8n, OpenClaw)
The real schedule is set, and test runs are stopped. Pause test jobs in Hermes CRON (clicking Trigger now on a paused job sets it back to scheduled: pause it again). Unpublish n8n test workflows. (Watch a web page for changes, Stop the schedule)
n8n webhooks use the Production URL (/webhook/, not /webhook-test/), and the workflow is Published. Anyone who knows the address can call it unless you set Authentication. (Receive data with a webhook)

When something fails¶

n8n sends you a message when a workflow fails. Make an error workflow, publish it, and choose it in Settings → Error Workflow of each workflow. It only runs for automatic runs, not when you click Execute workflow. (Get a Telegram message when a workflow fails)
You know where to look. Hermes: LOGS (Read Hermes' logs). n8n: Overview → Executions (See what a workflow did). Any agent: Manage agent → Recent logs (My agent stopped answering).
You know which button to press. Restart first, then Update. Never Reinstall to fix a problem. (Restart, Update or Reinstall)
You know how to ask for help. (Get help: how to open a good ticket)

Backups and files¶

You have a backup on your computer.
- Hermes: SYSTEM → Operations → FULL BACKUP (Back up your Hermes agent). The file contains your keys: keep it safe.
- n8n: Export JSON for each workflow (Download a workflow and import it back).
- OpenClaw: download the files you want to keep from /home/node/.openclaw with the Files tab (Your first week).
Your files are in the agent's folder. Everything else in the agent's container is reset when you save the settings or update. (Terminal and files in the browser)
You only uploaded data you may share with your AI provider. (Your data and privacy)

Costs and billing¶

You checked what your tests cost in your AI provider's console. OpenClaw also shows an estimate in Pages → Usage. (How much will the AI cost me?, See how much AI your OpenClaw uses)
Schedules run only as often as you need. Each run of an AI task uses your AI provider. (What makes the cost go up)
You know when your next invoice is due. It is the Next Due Date on your agent's page. With a free trial code, pay the next invoice before its DUE DATE to keep your agent. (See, download and pay your invoices)

Safety and quality¶

You went through the security checklist. (Keep your agent safe: a checklist)
You read what the agent writes before it reaches a customer. The AI can fill gaps with made-up details. (A week of social media posts, Keep your agent safe)

Check that it worked¶

Every task you rely on has run once for real, and its result reached you.
Your AI provider account has a spending limit.
You have a backup that is not in your email or chats.

Common problems¶

The job ran but nothing arrived

Hermes: the home channel is not set for that app. Send /sethome, then click Trigger now again (Schedule a recurring task). OpenClaw: with DELIVERY → Mode: None (internal) the result is only kept in Run history (Schedule a recurring task in OpenClaw).

An n8n workflow works when I click Execute, but not on its own

It must say Published. After each change, click Publish again (n8n troubleshooting).

My n8n workflow failed but no alert came

Runs you start with Execute workflow never send an alert. Check Settings → Error Workflow in the failed workflow (Get a Telegram message when a workflow fails).