01What Are Open Source AI Agents?

Open source AI agents are free, self-hosted programs that perform tasks like answering calls, managing emails, or working as a team. In this episode, Julian Goldie introduces four new ones: OpenDots, OpenMuse, OpenBot, and OpenTag. They are all from CopilotKit and are available on GitHub under an MIT license.

These agents are free versions of popular tools like ChatGPT Dots, Views, Grokbot, and Claude Tag. That means you can use powerful AI without paying $200 a month or waiting on a list. You can even plug in free APIs or run local models.

02The 4 Open Source AI Agents and Their Features

Here are the four open source AI agents Julian shows in the episode:

  • OpenDots – An open source version of ChatGPT Dots. It lets you create multiple AI agents for different profiles, unlike the current ChatGPT Dots which only allows one. You can switch models, set up scheduled tasks, and give it memories.
  • OpenMuse – An open source version of Views. It has a mobile and web version, and you can edit settings easily. It also integrates with Gmail and Google Calendar.
  • OpenBot – An open source version of Grokbot. It lets you tag multiple AI agents in the same conversation to work as a team. It runs in a standalone app and is more technical to set up.
  • OpenTag – An open source version of Claude Tag. It connects AI agents to Slack, so you can tag them in conversations and ask them to work on tasks.

03How to Set Up These AI Agents

Setting up these open source AI agents is easier than you might think. Julian shows a simple method using Claude:

  1. Go to the GitHub repository for the agent you want, like OpenDots.
  2. Copy the GitHub link.
  3. Paste the link into Claude (or another AI) and ask: "Can you set this up for me?"
  4. Claude will walk you through the installation and configuration.
  5. Add an OpenAI key to use it, or plug in the CLI from ChatGPT for more access.
  6. If something goes wrong, ask Claude to fix it.

Julian notes that OpenBot is the most technical to run, so beginners should start with OpenDots instead. He also mentions that you might need to connect external services like Composio for agent computer features to work.

04How to Use OpenDots, OpenMuse, OpenBot, and OpenTag

Julian shows how each agent works in practice. With OpenDots, you can create multiple dots for different profiles, edit their details, and set up automatic learning. You can also give it scheduled activity and memories, just like ChatGPT Dots.

To make it more powerful, you can plug in the CLI from ChatGPT into OpenDots, giving it access to all your projects.

OpenMuse has a different vibe and lets you add Gmail and Google Calendar. You can also integrate OpenBot with it, so all your agents can link together. For OpenTag, you connect it to Slack, then tag an AI agent in a message like "Hey, can you make sense of this?" The agent will respond and work on the task.

OpenBot works similarly but in a standalone app.

05Results and Comparisons from the Episode

Julian tests all four agents and shares his honest results. He finds that OpenDots is less buggy than ChatGPT Dots, which sometimes doesn't answer phone calls or load the computer screen. He also notes that ChatGPT Dots takes a while to open the screen and is expensive at $200 a month.

OpenMuse works well, but Julian admits he prefers OpenMuse over OpenDots in terms of feel. He also points out that OpenBot already has 6,000 stars on GitHub, showing it's gaining popularity. However, he says he still prefers his own Hermes Agent over all of these for smoothness and fun.

06Tips, Limits, and Mistakes to Avoid

These tools are not for everyone. Julian warns that if you're not technical, you might struggle. The local host might go down, as it did for OpenDots during the episode, and some menus might not open properly.

But you can always ask Claude to fix issues.

Here are some tips:

  • Start with OpenDots if you're a beginner; OpenBot is more advanced.
  • Use Opus 515 for fixing setup issues.
  • You can integrate OpenBot with OpenMuse for a connected system.
  • If you use Discord, you can connect Hermes agent to OpenTag channels.

07Who These Open Source AI Agents Are For

These open source AI agents are for anyone who wants powerful AI without high costs or restrictions. They are great for people who are tired of waiting lists or country blocks. They are also good for developers and tinkerers who like to customize their tools.

Julian explains that you can run them with free APIs or local models, making them very flexible. But they are not for everyone. If you're not technical, you might find them challenging.

Still, with tools like Claude, you can get help with setup, so even beginners can try them.