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Create your first Clawne

Your first Clawne should be specific enough to be useful and simple enough to improve in the same week.

The rule: one job, one Clawne

Clawnes work best when they have a single clear job. If you find yourself describing two separate workflows, create two Clawnes.

Good: "Triage my inbox, draft short replies, flag things that need my direct attention"
Too broad: "Help me with work and also my side project and writing and research"

Step-by-step

1. Define the job in one sentence

Write it as if you were describing it to a new hire. What do you want this assistant to get done, and what does a good result look like?

2. Set the tone

Pick from a rough direction and then adjust based on your first few tests:

Tone directionWorks well for
Concise and directInbox, tasks, quick answers
Analytical and thoroughResearch, decisions, comparisons
Warm and collaborativeBrainstorming, drafting, feedback
Structured and methodicalProject tracking, checklists, planning

3. Set tool access — less is more

Start with no tools unless your use case clearly requires one. Add tools after your first week of use.

When you do add tools, give them one at a time and test whether the Clawne uses them sensibly.

4. Leave memory off at first

Memory adds continuity. It also adds complexity. Leave it off until you have used the Clawne enough to know what it should remember.

5. Write a one-paragraph role prompt

This goes into the Clawne's configuration as its base instruction. Keep it short:

You help me [job]. When you respond, [tone guidance]. If [situation], then [preference]. Keep responses [length guidance] unless I ask for more.

Launch criteria

Your Clawne is ready to launch when:

  • the role is clear in one sentence
  • the tone matches how you want to be helped
  • tool access is minimal and intentional
  • you already know three real prompts you will test it with

After launch

Run those three prompts. Then run five more from actual work you have right now. Look for:

  • places where the tone feels off
  • responses that drift outside the intended scope
  • things it gets right that you did not expect

Keep what works. Adjust what does not. Most first Clawnes need two or three iterations before they feel reliable.