# Getting Started 👋

## Step 1: Set Up Beeper

### Install and Configure Beeper

1. **Download Beeper** from [beeper.com](https://beeper.com/)
2. **Connect your messaging accounts:**
   - Open Beeper → **Preferences** → **Add Account**
   - Connect: Slack, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, Instagram, WhatsApp, etc.
3. All messages now appear in **one unified inbox**

## Step 2: Enable Beeper MCP Server

### In Beeper:
1. Open **Beeper** → **Preferences** → **Developers** tab
2. Find **"Beeper MCP"** section (disabled by default)
3. Click **"Start"** to launch the MCP server
4. Note the **port number** displayed (you'll need this)
5. Optional: Enable **"Start on launch"** for automatic startup

## Step 3: Generate Authentication Token

### Create API Connection:
1. In Beeper Developers tab, find **"Approved Connections"**
2. Click **"\+ Create New Connection"**
3. Copy the generated **API key** (bearer token)
4. Keep this handy for the next step

## Step 4: Configure Alice

### Add Beeper MCP Server:
1. Open Alice → **⌘K** (or **⌘,** for Settings) → **MCP** section
2. Click **"Add Server"** button
3. Configure the connection:
   
#### Installation Settings:
- **Type:** Switch to **"Stream/HTTP and SSE"**
- **Address:** Copy the exact address from Beeper's Developer tab
   
_(Example:_`http://localhost:PORT/mcp` _- use YOUR port number)_
   
#### Advanced Configuration:
- Click the **arrow** to reveal **"HTTP Headers"**
- Add header:
  - **Field 1:**`Authorization`
  - **Field 2:**`Bearer YOUR_API_KEY_HERE`
    _(Paste the token from Step 3 - no extra spaces or quotes)_
4. **Assign to an Assistant:**
   - Select which Alice assistant(s) can use Beeper
   - Toggle **"Enable"** for this connection

## Step 5: Verify Connection

### Test the Setup:
1. Make sure **Beeper's MCP server is running** (check Developer tab)
2. In Alice MCP settings, **disable then re-enable** the Beeper connection
3. Status should show **"Connected"**
4. Click to see **10 available tools:**
   - Get accounts
   - Archive chats
   - Search messages
   - Send messages
   - Open chats
   - And more...

## Step 6: Personalize Your Assistant

### Customize Response Style:
1. Go to your assistant's **Master Prompt**
2. Add instructions for how to handle messages:
   - **Tone of voice:** Professional, casual, friendly, etc.
   - **Response rules:** "Decline conference invitations politely"
   - **Examples:** "When someone asks for X, I usually reply with..."

### Pro Tip: Create Skills
Create reusable prompts like:
- "Kindly refuse invitation"
- "Draft professional follow-up"
- "Summarize and prioritize messages"

Use **Skills + Assistant + Beeper** together for instant, personalized message handling.

## Step 7: Start Using Alice with Beeper

### Example Commands:

**Simple queries:**
- "What are my unread messages on Beeper?"
- "Show me new messages"

**Advanced automation:**
- "Summarize my latest messages and prioritize them"
- "Categorize messages into work and personal"
- "Draft polite responses to the top 3 work messages"
- "Send a reply to [person] saying I'll follow up tomorrow"

### Important Notes:
- **Use smart models** (Claude Sonnet 3.5 or GPT-4) for best results
- **Experiment with prompts** - be specific about what you want
- **Mention "Beeper"** explicitly if Alice doesn't automatically use the MCP connection

## What You Can Do Now
- **One inbox** for Slack, WhatsApp, LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and more
- **AI-powered summaries** of unread messages
- **Automated prioritization** by urgency or category
- **Draft responses** in YOUR voice based on your assistant's training
- **Send messages** directly from Alice with a single command
- **Save hours** on message management every week

## Pro Tips
1. **Auto-start everything:** Enable both Beeper and its MCP server to launch on system startup
2. **Model selection matters:** Use Claude Sonnet 3.5 for complex message workflows
3. **Read tool descriptions:** Review available Beeper tools in Alice's MCP settings to understand capabilities
4. **Link to assistants:** MCP connections only work when assigned to at least one assistant
5. **Combine with Skills:** Create reusable message templates for common scenarios

## Troubleshooting

**Connection Failed?**
- Check that Beeper's MCP server is running (Developer tab)
- Verify the port number matches between Beeper and Alice
- Ensure bearer token is copied correctly (no extra spaces)

**"MCP not active" message?**
- Make sure at least one assistant has the Beeper connection enabled
- Check that "Tools" are enabled in your assistant settings

**AI not using Beeper?**
- Explicitly mention "Beeper" in your query
- Switch to a smarter model (Claude Sonnet 3.5 recommended)
- Verify tools are enabled for your active assistant

## What's Next?
Now that you have unified message management with AI automation, you can:
- **Build custom workflows** for different message types
- **Create assistant personas** for work vs personal communication
- **Automate daily message triage** with scheduled prompts
- **Explore other MCP integrations** to connect more tools to Alice

**Happy automating!**