# Molt on TrueNAS SCALE Setup Guide

Molt is an open-source personal AI assistant that runs on your own infrastructure with messaging integrations (Telegram, WhatsApp, Discord), browser automation, and system access.

- **Website:** https://www.molt.bot/
- **GitHub:** https://github.com/moltbot/moltbot
- **Docs:** https://docs.molt.bot/

## Prerequisites

- TrueNAS SCALE (has native Docker support)
- API key from a supported AI provider
- Telegram bot token (from @BotFather)

## AI Provider Options

### Price Comparison (per 1M tokens)

| Provider | Model | Input | Output | Notes |
|----------|-------|-------|--------|-------|
| **Z.AI** | GLM-4.7-FlashX | $0.07 | $0.40 | Cheapest capable model |
| **Z.AI** | GLM-4.7 | $0.60 | $2.20 | Full flagship model |
| **Z.AI** | GLM-4.5-Air | $0.20 | $1.10 | Good balance |
| **NanoGPT** | Various | varies | varies | 200+ models, pay-as-you-go |
| **Anthropic** | Claude Sonnet 4 | $3.00 | $15.00 | Best quality, most expensive |

### Recommended: Z.AI

Z.AI (formerly Zhipu) is directly supported by Molt and 10-40x cheaper than Anthropic.

- Get API key at: https://open.bigmodel.cn/ or https://z.ai
- GLM-4.7 has 200K context window
- Designed for coding/agent workflows

### Alternative: Anthropic

If you need highest quality:
- Get API key at: https://console.anthropic.com
- Note: Claude Code subscription does NOT provide API access - you need separate API billing

### Alternative: NanoGPT

Pay-as-you-go aggregator with 200+ models:
- Website: https://nano-gpt.com
- Requires custom OpenAI-compatible endpoint configuration

## Step 1: Create Telegram Bot

1. Open Telegram and search for **@BotFather**
2. Send `/newbot`
3. Choose a display name (e.g., "My Molt Assistant")
4. Choose a username (must end in `bot`, e.g., `my_molt_bot`)
5. Save the token BotFather provides

## Step 2: Deploy on TrueNAS SCALE

### SSH into TrueNAS

```bash
ssh admin@your-truenas-ip
```

### Create Dataset and Clone Repository

```bash
# Create a dataset via TrueNAS UI first, then:
mkdir -p /mnt/your-pool/apps/moltbot
cd /mnt/your-pool/apps/moltbot

# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/moltbot/moltbot.git .
```

### Configure Environment

```bash
# Create .env file with your credentials
cat > .env << 'EOF'
# Choose ONE of these AI providers:
Z_AI_API_KEY=your-z-ai-key-here
# ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=your-anthropic-key-here

# Telegram
TELEGRAM_BOT_TOKEN=your-telegram-bot-token-here
EOF
```

### Run Setup

```bash
# Optional: Mount additional directories
export CLAWDBOT_HOME_VOLUME="moltbot_home"
export CLAWDBOT_EXTRA_MOUNTS="/mnt/your-pool/documents:/home/node/documents:rw"

# Run the setup script
./docker-setup.sh
```

### Configure Molt

Create or edit `~/.clawdbot/moltbot.json`:

```json
{
  "agent": {
    "model": "z-ai/glm-4.7-flashx"
  },
  "channels": {
    "telegram": {
      "enabled": true,
      "dmPolicy": "pairing"
    }
  }
}
```

For Anthropic instead:
```json
{
  "agent": {
    "model": "anthropic/claude-sonnet-4-20250514"
  }
}
```

### Start the Gateway

```bash
docker compose up -d moltbot-gateway
```

## Step 3: Pair Telegram

1. Open Telegram and message your bot
2. You'll receive a pairing code
3. Approve it via CLI:

```bash
docker compose run --rm moltbot-cli pairing approve telegram <CODE>
```

## Step 4: Verify

Access the Control UI at: `http://your-truenas-ip:18789/`

Check gateway health:
```bash
docker compose exec moltbot-gateway node dist/index.js health --token "$CLAWDBOT_GATEWAY_TOKEN"
```

## Management Commands

```bash
# View logs
docker compose logs -f moltbot-gateway

# Restart
docker compose restart moltbot-gateway

# Stop
docker compose down

# Update
git pull
docker compose build
docker compose up -d
```

## Features

Once running, Molt can:
- Respond via Telegram DMs and group chats
- Execute shell commands on your TrueNAS
- Browse the web and fill forms
- Manage files on mounted volumes
- Set reminders and run scheduled tasks
- Learn your preferences over time

## Troubleshooting

### Bot not responding
- Check logs: `docker compose logs moltbot-gateway`
- Verify Telegram token is correct
- Ensure pairing was approved

### API errors
- Verify API key is set in `.env`
- Check provider account has credits/billing enabled

### Permission issues
- Ensure Docker has access to mounted paths
- Check file ownership in mounted volumes

## Resources

- [Molt Docker Docs](https://docs.molt.bot/install/docker)
- [Telegram Channel Setup](https://docs.molt.bot/channels/telegram)
- [Z.AI Pricing](https://docs.z.ai/guides/overview/pricing)
- [NanoGPT](https://nano-gpt.com)