# Set up your assistant

Canonical URL: https://docs.perisclaw.com/setup-your-assistant

Perisclaw connects to the WhatsApp number you already use. It appears under
**Linked Devices**, just like WhatsApp Web or Desktop, so there is no new phone
number or bot account to manage.

Keep your phone nearby for the one-time link. After that, you can speak to
Perisclaw from WhatsApp on any of your usual devices.

## Connect in four steps

### 1. Sign in to your dashboard

Open [app.perisclaw\.com](https://app.perisclaw.com) and choose
** Continue with Google**. This opens the private workspace
where your assistant and settings live.

![Perisclaw sign-in screen with the Continue with Google button](/images/setup-sign-in.png)

_Choose Continue with Google to open your Perisclaw workspace._

**Done when:**
You see a field asking for your WhatsApp number.

### 2. Add the WhatsApp number you already use

Enter the number with its country code, then continue. Perisclaw will live
in that number's **self-chat**, the conversation with
your own name.

**Done when:**
You see a QR code or an eight-character pairing code.

### 3. Link Perisclaw as a device

Choose whichever method fits the screen in front of you. Both use
WhatsApp's normal **Linked Devices** flow and create the
same connection.

**Pairing-code video walkthroughs:** [iPhone](/tutorials/pairing-code-ios.mp4) · [Android](/tutorials/pairing-code-android.mp4)

**Tip: If WhatsApp asks to unlock**

Face ID, Touch ID, or your phone passcode only unlocks WhatsApp's
device-linking screen. That approval happens on your phone.

**Done when:**
WhatsApp lists a new linked device.

### 4. Meet your assistant in your self-chat

Give Perisclaw about 30 seconds to wake up. Open WhatsApp, search for your
own name, and send *“hello”* in that self-chat.

**Done when:**
Perisclaw replies and begins a short, one-question-at-a-time welcome.

## Finish the welcome

Perisclaw asks only for the context it needs to be useful. You can answer in
your own words, skip an optional question, and change the details later.

1. **Confirm your name.** This is how the assistant addresses you.
2. **Confirm your timezone.** Calendar times and scheduled work depend on it.
3. **Tell it what matters.** The people, deadlines, and topics it should
   always flag, and what it should ignore.
4. **Optionally connect Google.** Calendar and Contacts make scheduling and
   recognizing people more useful, but you can add them later.

> **Teach it what matters:** Always flag payments, deadlines, and messages from my leadership team. Ignore casual family chatter unless someone asks me a direct question.

**Info: You can change all of this later**

  Update your profile and preferences from the dashboard. Add or remove
  services from [Apps](/connecting-apps), and change chat access
  from [Permissions](/permissions-and-access).

## Send the first useful request

Once the welcome is complete, ask something broad. It's a good way to see what
Perisclaw already knows.

> **Try this:** What needs my attention today?

## Continue from here

### [Learn the everyday basics](/use-cases)

Talk to it in your self-chat, with `/claw` in any chat, or by voice.

### [Fix a connection problem](/troubleshooting)

Recover from an expired code, a dropped link, or an assistant that does not
reply.

### [Connect another app](/connecting-apps)

Add Calendar, email, Contacts, Drive, or another service when you need it.