Setup
Your Agent Workspace
Video Lesson Coming Soon
A video walkthrough for this module is in production. For now, dive into the written content below.
What You'll Learn
- ✓ Choosing your AI model (GPT, Claude, Gemini)
- ✓ Platform options and tradeoffs
- ✓ The 5 workspace panels every platform shares
- ✓ Basic configuration and cost awareness
In this module 7 sections
What You Need Before You Start
You do not need an expensive computer. You do not need a technical background. You do not need to know how to code. You need a computer, an internet connection, and about thirty minutes of setup time.
Here is what you are going to do in this module: choose your AI model, set up your agent workspace, and get to the point where you have an empty agent ready to train. This module just gets the infrastructure in place.
Step 1: Choose Your AI Model
Compare the leading AI models and their strengths.
Interactive — tap to explore
Your agent runs on an AI model — the engine that does the actual thinking and writing. Here are your main options as of early 2026:
For most beginners, the practical choice is between ChatGPT and Claude, accessed through their APIs or through a platform that handles the integration. Both produce excellent results for freelance work when properly trained. Expect to spend somewhere between $20-$100 per month on model usage for a moderately active freelance agent.
Step 2: Choose Your Agent Platform
The AI model is the brain. The platform is the workspace where you configure your agent, manage its memory, connect its tools, and handle the flow of work.
Your options fall into three categories:
For most people taking this course, an all-in-one platform is the fastest path. You can always migrate to a more custom setup later once you understand the principles. Regardless of which platform you choose, the setup process follows the same general pattern.
Step 3: Set Up Your Workspace
Explore the essential building blocks of your workspace.
Interactive — tap to explore
Every agent workspace has the same core components, even if they are labelled differently across platforms.
Spend ten minutes familiarising yourself with where each of these lives on your chosen platform. You do not need to understand every feature yet. You just need to know where the three pillars are configured.
Step 4: Configure the Basics
Before writing your system prompt, handle the basic configuration.
Troubleshooting Common Setup Issues
I cannot access the API: Most platforms require an API key from the AI model provider. You create this on the provider's website, usually under API Keys or Developer Settings. Copy the key and paste it into your agent platform's settings. If it does not work, check: is the key active? Does your account have billing set up? API access usually requires a payment method on file.
The interface looks different from what you described: AI platforms update frequently. The core components will be present — they may just be labelled or arranged differently. Look for synonyms: System Prompt equals Instructions equals Personality. Knowledge Base equals Memory equals Context equals Files.
I do not know which platform to choose: If you are paralysed by choice, pick any platform that offers a free trial and supports at least one of the major models (GPT-4o or Claude). The skills you learn transfer to any platform. You are not locked in.
I am worried about costs: Start small. Most platforms offer free tiers or trial credits. Your testing phase will give you a sense of how much each task costs. You can estimate monthly costs before committing to live work.
Your Foundation Is Ready
By now you should have an AI model selected, a platform set up, an empty agent created and named, configured with basic settings, connected to your chosen model, and set to semi-automated. You also have a rough sense of costs.
Your agent is an empty shell. That is exactly right. Module 4 fills it with instructions. Module 5 fills it with memory. Module 6 tests it.
This module just made sure the shell is ready.