Setup Guide
First boot, WiFi setup, and configuration wizard.
Connect and Power On
- (Optional) Connect an Ethernet cable to the rear Ethernet port.
- Plug the USB-C power supply into the rear USB-C port on the case.
- Press the power button on the rear of the case.
Boot Sequence
| Time | LED | What's Happening |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30s | 🟠 Solid amber | LobstaOS is booting |
| 30–60s | 🔵 Pulsing blue | Setup mode active, WiFi AP broadcasting |
Connect to the Setup Network
- On your phone or laptop, open WiFi settings.
- Look for a network named
LobstaBox-XXXX(where XXXX is the last 4 characters of your device's MAC address). - Connect to this network (open — no password required).
- A captive portal should auto-open in your browser.
If the captive portal doesn't auto-open, navigate manually to http://192.168.4.1 or http://lobstabox.local
Setup Wizard
The setup wizard runs entirely in your browser. No app install required.
Screen 1: Welcome
Choose your language and tap Get Started.
Screen 2: Connect to WiFi
- The wizard scans for available WiFi networks.
- Networks are listed by signal strength.
- Select your home WiFi network.
- Enter the WiFi password.
- Tap Connect.
Connection usually takes 10–30 seconds.
Screen 3: Device Name
Give your LobstaBox a name (e.g., "LobstaBox-Living-Room").
Optional — Link to LobstaCloud:
- Sign in with Google or GitHub to link this device to your LobstaCloud account.
- Or tap Skip for now to use it standalone.
Screen 4: API Keys
This is the most important step. LobstaBox needs API access to talk to your AI provider.
Required:
- Anthropic API Key — Get one at console.anthropic.com (opens in a new tab)
- The wizard validates your key with a minimal API call before proceeding.
Optional extras:
- OpenAI API Key — For Whisper speech-to-text
- ElevenLabs API Key — For text-to-speech voices
The wizard validates each key in real-time. Anthropic keys are tested via a minimal /v1/messages request. Rate-limited responses are accepted (means the key is valid).
Screen 5: Complete!
The wizard:
- Saves your configuration to
/etc/lobstabox/config.json - Marks setup as complete
- Disables the WiFi AP
- Connects to your home network
- Starts normal Lobsta services
- LED transitions: 🌈 Rainbow → 🟢 Solid green (ready!)
You'll be shown the URL to access your LobstaBox going forward: http://lobstabox.local
Daily Use
Once setup is complete:
- Access your Lobsta at
http://lobstabox.localfrom any device on your network. - Connect messaging apps — Telegram, Discord, etc. through the Lobsta interface.
- The LobstaBox runs 24/7 — it draws only 3–7W at normal operation.
- Remote access — For access outside your home network, set up Tailscale or similar VPN.
Power Consumption
| State | Power Draw |
|---|---|
| Idle | ~3W |
| Normal use | ~5–7W |
| Heavy load | ~12–15W |
Fan Control
The fan runs with a conservative curve:
- Off below 55°C
- Low speed up to 70°C
- Full speed above 70°C (rarely needed)