Auto-GPT: What It Is and How to Install and Use It
Auto-GPT is an open-source project available on GitHub that facilitates communication among different GPTs, allowing agents to function autonomously and complete tasks with minimal or no human intervention. Unlike the ChatGPT that we commonly use, where we submit one prompt at a time and receive a response before moving on to the next prompt, Auto-GPT operates differently.
When given an assignment, it uses a combination of prompts to execute the task. Its objective is to complete all the tasks on the list, adding new ones as each is completed. Its aim is to take care of all the details involved in planning the event, allowing you to review and proceed with the given information.
The current state of AI goes beyond simple question-and-answer prompts, as it now has the capability to handle complex tasks and adapt its task list based on prior interactions. With this technology, AI can better function as a personal assistant, capable of managing intricate tasks and ensuring their successful completion.
Installation Process
Before installing Auto-GPT, you will need Homebrew. Here’s how to install it on your Mac:
- Go to the Homebrew website and copy the link provided under “Install Homebrew”
- Paste the link into your Terminal and press Enter
After the installation is complete, paste the following command into the Terminal and press enter:
brew update
Next, we need to install Git. Here’s how to do it:
- In the Terminal, enter the following command and press Enter:
brew install git
Now, let's install Python on your Mac. Follow the steps below to install Python:
- Paste the following command into the Terminal and press enter:
brew install python
Downloading and Installing Auto-GPT
Now that everything is in place, it’s time to download and install Auto-GPT. Here’s how:
- Head over to Auto-GPT’s GitHub page, click the “Code” button and copy the HTTPS link
- Now, in the terminal, type git clone followed by the URL you just copied and press Enter
Once Auto-GPT is downloaded, it’s time to configure it. Here's how:
- Type the following command and press Enter to navigate to the Auto-GPT folder:
cd autogpt
- Inside the folder, type the following command and press Enter. This will install all the necessary dependencies for Auto-GPT:
pip install -r requirements.txt
While the installation is in progress, visit OpenAI’s website to obtain an API key:
- Create an account by signing up on https://platform.openai.com/account/api-keys
- Log in and click on “API keys” on the left sidebar
- Click on “+ Create a new secret key“, provide a name for it, and then click on “Create secret key“
- You will then be provided with a secret key. Click on “Copy” to copy the secret key to your clipboard.
Launch your favorite code editor and open the file named “.env.template” inside the Auto-GPT folder. Look for the following line:
Your-openai-api-key
Replace your-openai-api-key with your API key, enclosed in double quotes (“”). Now, save the file as “.env”.
Now, go back to the Terminal and make sure that you are still inside the Auto-GPT folder. Type in the following command and hit Enter to run Auto GPT on your Mac:
python main.py
