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SETUP — start here

The fastest path from "just downloaded the folder" to "it's running my campaign" — about 5 minutes if you already have Claude Code installed; the first-time install in step 0 adds ~15. Do these steps in order; if you've used the terminal before, skip step 0.

0. (First time only) Install Claude Code — ~15 min

Follow reference/getting-started.md. You install Node, then Claude Code, then open this folder. One-time.

1. Open this folder in Claude Code

In your terminal:

cd "path/to/outbound-os"
claude

Tip: open the same folder in VS Code in a second window so you can watch the files fill in as it works.

2. Paste in your keys

Make a copy of .env.example and name the copy .env, then paste your real API keys into it. Open .env.example — every line says what the key is for and where to get it.

You do NOT need every key to start. Minimum to do a full run:

To do this... You need
Build the brain, source, pick people, research, write copy Nothing — works out of the box
Find emails/phones it couldn't find for free at least one enrichment key (BETTERCONTACT_API_KEY is the best single one)
Actually load leads into a sending tool INSTANTLY_API_KEY

So you can start with zero keys, see the whole thing work, and add keys only when you hit the step that needs them. Your keys, your credits — this system never spends on your behalf without asking.

.env is private. It is never shared, committed, or printed. Keep your keys out of screenshots and chats.

3. Wake it up

Turn on plan mode (press Shift+Tab), then open master-build-prompt.md, copy the whole thing, paste it into Claude Code, and hit enter.

It will:

  1. Tell you which keys it found (by name only) and what it can/can't do with them.
  2. Ask you to name the campaign and create a folder for it under campaigns/.
  3. Ask you about your offer and ICP, one question at a time, and fill in your campaign brain for you.
  4. Lay out a plan for sourcing accounts and wait for your "go."

That's it. From there it walks you stage by stage. See a finished example of what it produces in campaigns/_EXAMPLE/.

The two things only you can provide

  1. Your API keys (step 2) — so it can use your tools and your credits.
  2. Your offer and who it's for (step 3) — it asks; you answer.

Everything else — the workflow, the judgment, the writing — is already built in.

If you get stuck

Copy the exact error text and paste it back to Claude in the session. Describing the precise error is the fastest way to get unstuck.