VikingBot Installation and Configuration

VikingBot is the multi-channel AI Agent built into OpenViking. It can start together with OpenViking, run independently for local debugging, or operate as a long-running Gateway connected to chat platforms.

This guide covers installation and configuration for the three main usage scenarios. For complete documentation about Agent tools, chat channels, and architecture, see the VikingBot documentation.

Installation

Python 3.11 or later is recommended for VikingBot.

Install from PyPI

pip install "openviking[bot]"

Verify the installation:

vikingbot --version

Install from Source

git clone https://github.com/volcengine/OpenViking.git
cd OpenViking

uv venv --python 3.11
source .venv/bin/activate
uv pip install -e ".[bot]"

On Windows, activate the virtual environment with:

.venv\Scripts\activate

Configuration File

VikingBot and OpenViking share ~/.openviking/ov.conf. If the file is stored elsewhere, set:

export OPENVIKING_CONFIG_FILE=/path/to/ov.conf

Restart VikingBot or OpenViking Server after changing the configuration.

Choose a Usage Scenario

Scenario	Best for	Start command	OpenViking
A. Start OpenViking and the Bot together	Full experience with resources, memory, and the Agent	openviking-server --with-bot	Uses the Server being started
B. Debug the Agent locally	Trying the Bot or developing Tools and Skills	vikingbot chat	Optional
C. Use the Gateway as a unified entry point	Long-running service, remote access, or chat platforms	vikingbot gateway	Connects to an existing Server or runs standalone

The three scenarios are different runtime entry points and can share the same ov.conf.

Scenario A: Start OpenViking and the Bot Together

This is the recommended option for a complete local experience. OpenViking Server and VikingBot Gateway start together:

ov chat → OpenViking Server → VikingBot Gateway → Agent

1. Configure OpenViking

Run the initialization wizard, then validate the model and storage configuration:

openviking-server init
openviking-server doctor

See the OpenViking Configuration Guide for details. VikingBot inherits the root-level vlm as its Agent model by default, so you normally do not need to configure bot.agents again.

2. Start Both Services

openviking-server --with-bot

In this mode, the Bot always connects to the OpenViking Server being started and does not use bot.ov_server.server_url to connect to another service.

3. Configure and Use the ov CLI

ov config
ov chat
ov chat -m "Remember that I prefer concise answers"
ov find "my response preference"

The URL configured by ov config should point to the current OpenViking Server, which defaults to http://127.0.0.1:1933. If authentication is enabled, also configure the current caller's User/Admin API Key.

Scenario B: Debug the Agent Locally

Use this scenario to try VikingBot quickly or develop Agents, Tools, and Skills. vikingbot chat runs the Agent directly in the current process, without starting the Gateway first.

1. Configure the Agent Model

If ov.conf already contains a root-level vlm, VikingBot inherits it. You can also configure a separate Agent model:

{
  "bot": {
    "agents": {
      "provider": "openai",
      "model": "gpt-4o-mini",
      "api_key": "<your-model-api-key>"
    }
  }
}

2. Start a Chat

# Send one message
vikingbot chat -m "Summarize the structure of the current project"

# Start an interactive multi-turn conversation
vikingbot chat

# Use a specific session
vikingbot chat --session my-session

When no OpenViking Server is available, VikingBot runs in standalone mode. Local files, Shell, Web, and Skills remain available, but OpenViking resource retrieval and long-term memory are disabled.

Scenario C: Use the Gateway as a Unified Entry Point

Use this scenario for a long-running service, remote access, or chat platforms such as Feishu, Slack, and Telegram. The Gateway exposes the Bot HTTP API and can proxy OpenViking APIs, allowing the ov CLI to use one entry point.

1. Configure the Gateway and OpenViking

The following example connects the Gateway to an existing OpenViking Server:

{
  "bot": {
    "agents": {
      "provider": "openai",
      "model": "gpt-4o-mini",
      "api_key": "<your-model-api-key>"
    },
    "gateway": {
      "host": "127.0.0.1",
      "port": 18790
    },
    "ov_server": {
      "server_url": "https://openviking.example.com",
      "api_key": "<bot-openviking-user-api-key>"
    }
  }
}

The Gateway has three OpenViking connection states:

• When bot.ov_server.server_url is configured, it connects to that Server and refuses to start if the connection fails.
• When that URL is omitted but the same ov.conf contains server, the Gateway inherits that Server address and falls back to standalone mode if it is unavailable.
• When no Server is available, Chat still works, but OpenViking tools and API proxying are disabled.

2. Start the Gateway

vikingbot gateway

3. Point the ov CLI to the Gateway

Edit ~/.openviking/ovcli.conf:

{
  "url": "http://127.0.0.1:18790",
  "api_key": "<caller-openviking-user-or-admin-api-key>",
  "actor_peer_id": "cli"
}

Chat and OpenViking commands can then use the same Gateway:

ov chat -m "Retrieve the project information and give me a conclusion"
ov ls viking://resources/
ov find "project release process"

The Gateway listens on 127.0.0.1 by default. If you change it to 0.0.0.0 or another non-localhost address, configure bot.gateway.token and set the matching gateway_token on the client.

For credentials and permissions required by each chat platform, see VikingBot Channel Configuration.

More Documentation

• Complete VikingBot documentation
• VikingBot Architecture
• Agent Capabilities
• Channels, Gateway, and Operations
• VikingBot and OpenViking Integration
• Chat Channel Configuration