Quick Start: Pick Your Path

There’s no single “right” setup. Pick based on what you already use and how technical you want to get.

Choose your path

Pick one. You can switch later, but starting matters more than choosing perfectly.

Path A: Claude Code

For developers and terminal users. Runs locally, full file access, extensible via MCP.

Install

npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code
# or
brew install claude-code

claude login

Add memory

Without this, Claude forgets between sessions:

claude mcp add episodic-memory

# Test
claude "Remember that I prefer async communication over meetings"
# Later...
claude "What do I prefer for communication?"

Add one integration

First workflow

# Morning briefing
claude "Morning briefing: calendar today, pending tasks, anything I saved yesterday"

# Make it a habit
alias morning='claude "Morning briefing please"'

Next step: Full Claude Code setup

Path B: GPT + automation

For people who want results without terminal. Uses ChatGPT Plus + Zapier or Make.

Setup

1. ChatGPT Plus ($20/mo) — needed for GPTs and plugins
2. Zapier free tier — connects ChatGPT to other apps

Create a custom GPT

In ChatGPT, go to “Create a GPT”:

Name: Personal Assistant

Instructions:

You help me manage my day. Be concise. Don't explain unless asked.

My preferences:
- I work 9am-6pm
- Protect mornings for deep work
- I forget things — remind me proactively

Connect to your tools

In Zapier, create a Zap:

• Trigger: “New message in Slack channel” (or email, or whatever)
• Action: “Create task in Todoist” (or your task app)

You can also use ChatGPT’s built-in plugins for:

• Google Calendar (read/write)
• Todoist
• Notion

First workflow

Ask your GPT:

Look at my calendar for tomorrow and my Todoist tasks.
What should I prioritize? What can I move?

Limitation: GPT doesn’t have persistent memory across sessions. You’ll need to remind it of preferences or paste context.

Next step: Explore GPT plugins for more integrations

Path C: Gemini + Google

For people already using Gmail, Google Calendar, Drive. Tightest integration with Google’s ecosystem.

Setup

1. Google One AI Premium ($20/mo) — includes Gemini Advanced
2. Already have Google Workspace? Gemini is built into Docs, Gmail, Calendar

What works out of the box

Gemini can already access:

• Gmail — summarize threads, draft replies
• Calendar — check schedule, suggest times
• Drive — search and summarize documents
• Docs — help write and edit

No plugins or configuration needed.

First workflow

Open Gemini (gemini.google.com) or use the @ mention in Gmail/Docs:

Check my calendar for next week.
Find any days where I have more than 4 hours of meetings.
Draft a polite message declining one of the optional meetings.

Limitations

• No task manager integration (unless you use Google Tasks)
• Memory is limited — it knows your Google data but doesn’t learn preferences over time
• Less extensible than Claude Code

Next step: Try Gemini in Gmail and Docs to see where it helps most

After setup: what actually matters

The tool is 20% of it. The other 80%:

1. Start with one workflow

Don’t try to automate everything. Pick one thing you do daily:

• Morning planning
• Email triage
• Meeting prep
• End-of-day capture

Nail that first. Add more later.

2. Write down your preferences

Whatever tool you use, it needs to know:

• When you work
• What you protect (deep work time, family time)
• How you communicate (direct? diplomatic?)
• What you always forget

Put this in your custom instructions, GPT config, or just paste it when needed.

3. Use it every day for a week

Most setups fail because people try them twice and forget. Force yourself to use it daily for 7 days. Then decide if it’s working.

4. Notice what breaks

Your first setup won’t be perfect. Pay attention to:

• What you keep doing manually
• Where the AI gets it wrong
• What takes too long

These tell you what to fix or add next.

Comparison table

Common questions

Can I switch later? Yes. Your workflows are just prompts — they’ll work with any model. The integrations differ, but the core patterns transfer.

What if I use multiple tools? Many people do. Claude Code for coding work, GPT for quick questions, Gemini in Gmail. That’s fine.

Which has the best memory? Claude Code with episodic-memory MCP. GPT and Gemini both have limited session memory and don’t learn your preferences over time (as of early 2025).

What about privacy? Claude Code runs locally and doesn’t send files unless you ask. GPT and Gemini process data on their servers. Check their privacy policies if that matters to you.

Next: Architecture patterns — understand the layers that make a personal OS work