# AI use cases for Open Instinct (mariagorskikh/open-instinct)

Repo: [mariagorskikh/open-instinct](https://github.com/mariagorskikh/open-instinct) | Use cases: 5 | Page: https://dedupedai.com/use-cases/mariagorskikh-open-instinct/

Open Instinct is an open-source personal agent you text on iMessage, with its own Linux desktop in a microVM and a permission system for agents of trusted people.

This file holds every use case of this repo. Each one starts with a "## " heading and ends with its URL.

- Text a personal agent on iMessage: https://dedupedai.com/use-cases/mariagorskikh-open-instinct/text-a-personal-agent-on-imessage/
- Test the agent in a laptop chat first: https://dedupedai.com/use-cases/mariagorskikh-open-instinct/try-the-agent-locally-before-getting-a-number/
- Have the agent call and book a table: https://dedupedai.com/use-cases/mariagorskikh-open-instinct/have-the-agent-book-by-phone-call/
- Let trusted contacts' agents ask for access: https://dedupedai.com/use-cases/mariagorskikh-open-instinct/share-the-agent-with-trusted-contacts/
- Let the agent pay with a one-time card: https://dedupedai.com/use-cases/mariagorskikh-open-instinct/let-the-agent-pay-with-a-single-use-card/

## How to text a personal agent on iMessage with Open Instinct

Repo: [mariagorskikh/open-instinct](https://github.com/mariagorskikh/open-instinct) | Difficulty: Intermediate | Time: 1 hour | Basis: From the README

Give yourself an agent with its own number that you reach by text message.

**Who it is for:** A developer who wants a personal assistant on their phone and is willing to run a small Node project and an Inkbox account.

**The problem:** Most assistants live in a web app or a chat window. You want to message a number the way you message a friend, and get tasks done without opening another app.

**The outcome:** A phone number and email address for your agent, reachable from iMessage, that answers you and runs tasks in its own workspace.

### Steps

1. Install dependencies: `pnpm install && pnpm build`
2. Set your model key: `export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=sk-ant-...`
3. Set your Inkbox key: `export INKBOX_ADMIN_API_KEY=...`
4. Create your agent: `pnpm instinct init --name "Maria" --phone +14155550100 --email maria@example.com --handle maria-instinct`
5. Start the agent with a tunnel: `pnpm instinct dev --tunnel`
6. Print the connect text with `pnpm instinct connect` and send the text it shows to the agent's number

### Prompt to paste into your agent

```text
In the open-instinct repo at <repo path>, run the init, dev --tunnel and connect commands from the README using phone number <phone number> and handle <handle>. Expected output: the number and the connect text printed by `pnpm instinct connect`. Verify that the printed number matches the Inkbox number assigned to the agent before sending any text.
```

### Caveat

The README treats the live iMessage and Maritime paths as beta, so test with a number you control before relying on it.

Risk, credentials: The setup needs your model and Inkbox API keys in your shell, and the agent will act on your behalf, so keep the keys out of shared logs and shell history.

Disclaimer: Third-party repos we don't own or vouch for. AI-generated use cases can be wrong: review everything and run at your own risk. Full text: https://dedupedai.com/disclaimer/

URL: https://dedupedai.com/use-cases/mariagorskikh-open-instinct/text-a-personal-agent-on-imessage/

## How to test the agent in a laptop chat first with Open Instinct

Repo: [mariagorskikh/open-instinct](https://github.com/mariagorskikh/open-instinct) | Difficulty: Intermediate | Time: 30 minutes | Basis: From the README

Run the agent on your laptop and chat with it before you buy any phone line.

**Who it is for:** A developer evaluating the repo who wants to see the agent work before connecting Inkbox or any phone number.

**The problem:** Setting up phone, email and VM services takes time. You want to confirm the agent loop, memory and tools work first.

**The outcome:** A running local agent that answers chat messages and stores a memory from a single chat line.

### Steps

1. Clone and enter the repo: `git clone https://github.com/mariagorskikh/open-instinct && cd open-instinct`
2. Enable tooling: `nvm use && corepack enable`
3. Install and build: `pnpm install && pnpm build`
4. Set your model key: `export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=sk-ant-...`
5. Create a local profile: `pnpm instinct init --name "Maria" --phone +14155550100 --email maria@example.com --handle maria-instinct`
6. Run `pnpm instinct dev` in one terminal, then `pnpm instinct chat "remember that I like window seats"` in another

### Prompt to paste into your agent

```text
In the open-instinct repo at <repo path>, follow the laptop quick start from the README with a test name <name>. Expected output: a reply from `pnpm instinct chat` after `pnpm instinct dev` is running. Verify that a follow-up chat asking what you like gets an answer that mentions the saved preference.
```

### Caveat

This path skips iMessage and the VM, so it does not show the phone or deployment behavior that the README describes as beta.

Disclaimer: Third-party repos we don't own or vouch for. AI-generated use cases can be wrong: review everything and run at your own risk. Full text: https://dedupedai.com/disclaimer/

URL: https://dedupedai.com/use-cases/mariagorskikh-open-instinct/try-the-agent-locally-before-getting-a-number/

## How to have the agent call and book a table with Open Instinct

Repo: [mariagorskikh/open-instinct](https://github.com/mariagorskikh/open-instinct) | Difficulty: Intermediate | Time: 1 hour | Basis: From the README

Approve a request by text and let the agent phone a business for you.

**Who it is for:** A busy person who needs a reservation or appointment booked by phone and does not want to make the call.

**The problem:** Booking by phone takes time on hold and back-and-forth. You want the outcome in one text message.

**The outcome:** After you say yes, the agent dials, speaks and hangs up, then texts you the result and any follow-ups from the transcript.

### Steps

1. Complete the iMessage setup with `pnpm instinct dev --tunnel` and `pnpm instinct connect`
2. Text the agent a request such as "call the restaurant and book 7pm"
3. Reply yes when the agent asks for approval
4. Wait for the single text with the outcome and follow-ups
5. Read the transcript link in the docs at docs/INKBOX.md#phone-calls to confirm how calls are recorded

### Prompt to paste into your agent

```text
In the open-instinct repo at <repo path>, with the iMessage line already connected, ask the agent to call <business> to book <time>. Expected output: one text back with the call outcome and any follow-ups. Verify that you approved the call before it was placed.
```

### Caveat

The README describes phone calls as part of the Inkbox path, which it marks as beta, so expect rough edges on call handling.

Risk, credentials: The agent places calls on your number and speaks for you, so only approve calls you want made and check the outcome text.

Disclaimer: Third-party repos we don't own or vouch for. AI-generated use cases can be wrong: review everything and run at your own risk. Full text: https://dedupedai.com/disclaimer/

URL: https://dedupedai.com/use-cases/mariagorskikh-open-instinct/have-the-agent-book-by-phone-call/

## How to let trusted contacts' agents ask for access with Open Instinct

Repo: [mariagorskikh/open-instinct](https://github.com/mariagorskikh/open-instinct) | Difficulty: Advanced | Time: 1 hour | Basis: From the README

Set tiers and plain-English grants so a partner's agent can read your calendar.

**Who it is for:** A person who runs a personal agent and wants a partner, friend or team agent to get specific access without open access.

**The problem:** Sharing a calendar or task list with another person's assistant usually means giving it everything. You want limits that you can read and change.

**The outcome:** Your agent applies seven access tiers in code before any tool runs, and you get a one-line text saying who asked for what.

### Steps

1. Set up your agent with `pnpm instinct init --name "Maria" --phone +14155550100 --email maria@example.com --handle maria-instinct`
2. Read the seven tiers in docs/PERMISSIONS.md and the agent-to-agent protocol in docs/PROTOCOL.md
3. Invite a contact through the network features described in packages/network
4. Add a grant in plain English such as "Sam can book us dinner this week"
5. Check the one-line text you receive when a contact asks for something

### Prompt to paste into your agent

```text
In the open-instinct repo at <repo path>, read docs/PERMISSIONS.md and docs/PROTOCOL.md, then list the seven tiers and how a grant is written. Expected output: a short list of the tiers and one example grant. Verify that a stranger's request is answered with a no in the summary you produce.
```

### Caveat

The README does not list the exact CLI commands for invitations and grants, so read packages/network and docs/PERMISSIONS.md before you invite anyone.

Risk, credentials: Granting a contact's agent access to your calendar or other data is a real permission, so review each grant and revoke ones you no longer need.

Disclaimer: Third-party repos we don't own or vouch for. AI-generated use cases can be wrong: review everything and run at your own risk. Full text: https://dedupedai.com/disclaimer/

URL: https://dedupedai.com/use-cases/mariagorskikh-open-instinct/share-the-agent-with-trusted-contacts/

## How to let the agent pay with a one-time card with Open Instinct

Repo: [mariagorskikh/open-instinct](https://github.com/mariagorskikh/open-instinct) | Difficulty: Advanced | Time: 2 hours plus Stripe review | Basis: From the README

Approve each purchase with a single-use card from your Stripe Link wallet.

**Who it is for:** A person who wants the agent to complete checkouts for small purchases and keep a spend limit in place.

**The problem:** Giving an agent a card is risky. You want it to buy things without ever holding your card, and to ask before any large or unusual spend.

**The outcome:** For each purchase the agent requests a one-time card for the exact total, you approve with one tap, and the card is dead after the payment.

### Steps

1. Apply for a Link OAuth client from Stripe and wait for review, which the README says takes about 3 to 5 days
2. Complete the iMessage setup with `pnpm instinct dev --tunnel` and `pnpm instinct connect`
3. Edit the spend policy file that sets the ask-above amount, daily cap and always-ask items
4. Ask the agent to buy an item and approve the one-time card when prompted
5. Read docs/PAYMENTS.md to confirm the limits before a larger purchase

### Prompt to paste into your agent

```text
In the open-instinct repo at <repo path>, read docs/PAYMENTS.md and the spend policy file, then summarize the limits. Expected output: the ask-above amount, the daily cap and the always-ask items. Verify that the summary says the agent never holds the card number.
```

### Caveat

Paying needs a Link OAuth client that Stripe reviews for several days, and without it the agent only reaches checkout and hands you the screen.

Risk, credentials: The agent can request payment cards, so set a low spend policy and approve only purchases you recognize.

Disclaimer: Third-party repos we don't own or vouch for. AI-generated use cases can be wrong: review everything and run at your own risk. Full text: https://dedupedai.com/disclaimer/

URL: https://dedupedai.com/use-cases/mariagorskikh-open-instinct/let-the-agent-pay-with-a-single-use-card/