npm install -g @cognest/cliVerify the installation:
cognest --version
# Cognest CLI v2.4.1cognest init my-assistant
cd my-assistantThis creates a project with the following structure:
my-assistant/
├── cognest.config.yaml # Main configuration
├── .env # Environment variables (credentials)
├── skills/ # Custom skill definitions
│ └── hello-world.ts # Example skill
├── package.json
└── tsconfig.jsonOpen cognest.config.yaml and set your API key and preferred model:
# cognest.config.yaml
assistant:
name: "My Assistant"
model:
provider: openai
model: gpt-4o
temperature: 0.7
system_prompt: |
You are a helpful personal assistant. Be concise,
friendly, and proactive about following up on tasks.
integrations:
whatsapp:
enabled: true
credentials:
phone_number_id: ${WHATSAPP_PHONE_ID}
access_token: ${WHATSAPP_ACCESS_TOKEN}
skills:
- email-triage
- calendar-sync# Add WhatsApp integration
cognest integration add whatsapp
# The CLI will prompt you for credentials:
# ✓ WhatsApp Phone Number ID: ••••••••
# ✓ WhatsApp Access Token: ••••••••
# ✓ Webhook Verify Token: ••••••••
#
# ✓ WhatsApp integration configured successfullyMultiple integrations
You can add as many integrations as you need. Run `cognest integration add <name>` for each platform. See the Integrations section for the full list.
cognest dev
# ✓ Loading configuration...
# ✓ Connecting integrations...
# ✓ WhatsApp connected (webhook: http://localhost:3100/webhook/whatsapp)
# ✓ Loading skills (2 active)...
# ✓ Think Engine ready (gpt-4o)
#
# 🦀 Assistant "My Assistant" running at http://localhost:3100
# Dashboard: http://localhost:3100/dashboardYour assistant is now running locally. Send a message on WhatsApp to your configured phone number and watch the Think Engine process it in real time.
When you're ready to go live, deploy to Cognest with a single command:
cognest deploy
# ✓ Building project...
# ✓ Uploading to Cognest...
# ✓ Provisioning infrastructure...
# ✓ Connecting integrations...
#
# 🚀 Deployed successfully!
# URL: https://my-assistant.cognest.run
# Dashboard: https://app.cognest.ai/my-assistantSelf-hosting? See the Deployment Options guide for Docker, Kubernetes, and bare-metal deployment instructions.