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Documentation Index

Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/Conway-Research/automaton/llms.txt

Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

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Get your automaton running

This guide will take you from zero to a running automaton in minutes. By the end, you’ll have a sovereign AI agent with its own wallet, survival pressure, and autonomous capabilities.
Prerequisites
  • Node.js >= 20.0.0
  • pnpm (recommended) or npm
  • Internet access for Conway API and Base mainnet

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Installation

The fastest way to get started is using the automated installer. This clones the repo, builds it, and launches the setup wizard inside a Conway sandbox:
curl -fsSL https://conway.tech/automaton.sh | sh
Conway Cloud provisioning is fully automated. The script handles sandbox creation, dependency installation, and environment setup.

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First run: Setup wizard

On first run, the interactive setup wizard walks you through configuration:
1

Generate wallet

The runtime automatically generates an Ethereum wallet using viem. The private key is stored at ~/.automaton/wallet.json with file permissions 0600 (owner read/write only).
node dist/index.js --run

[1/6] Generating identity (wallet)...
Wallet created: 0x1234...abcd
Private key stored at: /root/.automaton/wallet.json
Keep this private key secure. It controls the automaton’s wallet and cannot be recovered if lost.
2

Provision API key

The runtime signs a SIWE (Sign-In With Ethereum) message to authenticate with Conway’s API and receive an API key:
[2/6] Provisioning Conway API key (SIWE)...
API key provisioned: cnwy_k_...
If auto-provisioning fails, you can enter a key manually.
3

Configure identity

The wizard prompts for:
  • Name — Give your automaton a name (e.g., “Atlas”, “Minerva”)
  • Genesis prompt — The seed instruction that defines purpose
  • Creator wallet address — Your Ethereum address (has audit rights)
  • OpenAI API key (optional) — Bring your own key
  • Anthropic API key (optional) — Bring your own key
The genesis prompt is the most important input. Be specific about what you want the automaton to do. Vague prompts lead to aimless behavior.
Example genesis prompt:
You are a web development specialist automaton. Your mission is to:

1. Build and deploy useful web applications and APIs
2. Offer them as services that others can pay for
3. Use Conway Cloud to host your services
4. Register domains for your projects via Conway Domains
5. Create genuine value that people voluntarily pay for

Focus on practical tools, data APIs, and automation services.
Never spam, scam, or create low-value content.
4

Set financial safety policy

Configure spending limits to protect against unauthorized financial activity:
SettingDefaultDescription
Max single transfer$50.00Maximum per-transfer credit amount
Max hourly transfers$100.00Total transfers allowed per hour
Max daily transfers$250.00Total transfers allowed per day
Minimum reserve$10.00Credits that cannot be transferred away
Max x402 payment$1.00Maximum single x402 payment
Max daily inference$500.00Maximum daily inference spend
Press Enter to accept defaults or customize each setting.
5

Detect environment

The wizard detects whether you’re running inside a Conway sandbox or locally:
[5/6] Detecting environment...
Environment: Conway Sandbox (sbx_abc123)
If running locally, sandboxId will be empty and operations run on your machine.
6

Fund your automaton

After setup, you’ll see funding instructions:
Setup complete!

Wallet address: 0x1234...abcd

To fund your automaton:
1. Transfer Conway credits: conway credits transfer 0x1234...abcd 5.00
2. Send USDC on Base to: 0x1234...abcd
3. Fund via dashboard: https://app.conway.tech
The automaton handles zero-credit startup gracefully. Fund it at any time.

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Fund your automaton

Your automaton needs funds to survive. There are three ways to fund it: 
# From another Conway account
conway credits transfer 0x1234...abcd 10.00
Recommended starting balance: $10-25 in credits or USDC. This gives the automaton enough runway to explore, learn, and start creating value.

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Start the agent loop

Once funded, start your automaton: 
node dist/index.js --run
You’ll see the agent loop begin: 
=== CONWAY AUTOMATON v0.2.1 ===
Name:     Atlas
Address:  0x1234...abcd
Creator:  0x5678...efgh
Credits:  $10.00
Tier:     normal
================================

[Agent] Turn 1: Waking up...
[Agent] Genesis prompt: You are a web development specialist...
[Agent] Thinking: I should first examine my capabilities and understand
        what tools are available to me...
[Agent] Calling tool: system_synopsis
[Agent] Calling tool: check_credits
[Agent] Observation: I have $10.00 in credits, 77 tools available...
The automaton is now running autonomously! It will:
  1. Read its genesis prompt
  2. Examine its tools and capabilities
  3. Reason about how to create value
  4. Execute actions via tools
  5. Learn from results
  6. Repeat

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Monitor your automaton

While the agent runs, you can monitor its status: 
node dist/index.js --status
Output:
=== AUTOMATON STATUS ===
Name:       Atlas
Address:    0x1234...abcd
Creator:    0x5678...efgh
Sandbox:    sbx_abc123
State:      running
Turns:      42
Tools:      3 installed
Skills:     3 active
Heartbeats: 6 active
Children:   0 alive / 0 total
Agent ID:   not registered
Model:      gpt-5.2
Version:    0.2.1
========================

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What happens next?

Your automaton will autonomously:
The automaton starts by understanding its capabilities:
  • Reads its own source code
  • Lists available tools
  • Checks credit balance and survival tier
  • Reviews active skills
Based on its genesis prompt, it develops a strategy:
  • What services can I build?
  • What problems can I solve?
  • Who would pay for this?
  • What infrastructure do I need?
The automaton has full access to:
  • Linux sandbox (run any code)
  • File I/O (read/write files)
  • Shell execution (install packages, run servers)
  • Port exposure (make services public)
  • Domain registration (buy domains)
  • Git operations (version control)
It might:
  • Build a web API and expose it publicly
  • Create a useful automation tool
  • Offer a data service
  • Build and host a web app
  • Register a domain for its service
The automaton can:
  • Accept x402 payments for services
  • Receive direct USDC transfers
  • Get tipped by users
  • Earn from affiliate programs
A thriving automaton may:
  • Spawn child automatons with specialized roles
  • Fund children from its earnings
  • Build a lineage of agents
  • Track child health and success

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Common first actions

Most automatons start with these actions:
1

System inventory

system_synopsis()     # Get overview of state
check_credits()       # Verify balance
list_skills()         # See available skills
2

Self-examination

read_file("src/types.ts")           # Understand data structures
read_file("src/agent/tools.ts")     # Learn available tools
read_file("~/.automaton/SOUL.md")   # Read identity document
3

Plan and reflect

set_goal("Build a weather API service")
remember_fact("environment", "sandbox_type", "conway_cloud")
update_soul("strategy", "Focus on useful data APIs...")
4

Execute first project

exec("npm init -y")
exec("npm install express")
write_file("server.js", "...")
exec("node server.js &")
expose_port(3000)  # Returns public URL

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Stopping your automaton

To stop the agent gracefully: 
# Send SIGTERM or SIGINT
kill <pid>

# Or use Ctrl+C in the terminal
The runtime performs graceful shutdown:
  • Stops the heartbeat daemon
  • Sets state to sleeping
  • Closes the database
  • Saves final state
To restart: 
node dist/index.js --run
The automaton resumes from where it left off.

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Observing behavior

All agent activity is logged and auditable:

Turn history

Every reasoning step is saved in the turns table with thinking, tool calls, and observations.

Tool calls

The tool_calls table records every tool invocation with parameters, results, and timestamps.

Policy decisions

The policy_decisions table logs every approval/denial with rule citations.

Modifications

The modifications table audits all self-modification attempts.

Transactions

The transactions table tracks all financial operations.

Git history

The ~/.automaton/ directory is git-versioned for file-level audit trail.
Your creator address has full audit rights to all automaton data. You can inspect everything it has done, thought, or decided.

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Troubleshooting

No API key:
No API key found. Run: automaton --provision
Fix: Run node dist/index.js --provision or set CONWAY_API_KEY environment variable.Database locked: Ensure only one automaton process is running. The database uses WAL mode and cannot be accessed by multiple processes.
The agent may enter a status-check loop. This is detected automatically:
  • After 3 idle turns, the agent is forced to sleep
  • After 3 identical tool patterns, a system message interrupts
Fix: Check the genesis prompt. Vague prompts lead to aimless behavior. Be specific and actionable.
If credits are zero on startup:
  • Agent enters critical tier (alive, but limited)
  • Has 1-hour grace period before dead
  • Fund via USDC or credit transfer during this window
The bootstrap topup attempts to buy $5 credits from USDC automatically on startup.
Model not available: Check available models with list_models. Default is gpt-5.2.Rate limited: The HTTP client retries on 429 with exponential backoff (up to 3 retries).Circuit breaker open: After 5 consecutive failures, the circuit breaker opens for 60 seconds. Wait and retry.

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Next steps

Now that your automaton is running:

Tool reference

Explore all 77 built-in tools across 10 categories.

Configuration

Fine-tune identity, models, and treasury policy.

Skills system

Install domain-specific skills to expand capabilities.

Survival system

Deep dive into tiers, monitoring, and funding.

Self-modification

Learn how to let your automaton improve itself.

Replication

Spawn child automatons and build lineages.
Congratulations! You now have a sovereign AI agent with its own wallet, survival pressure, and autonomous capabilities. Watch it explore, learn, and create value.

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