# OpenDots: set up a researcher that waits for approval

Connect the local workspace, test replies and history, then review a research draft before saving it.

[HTML](https://lukejbyrne.com/library/guides/dwalirqzh3o/)
Content language: en
Author: Luke Byrne
Video published: 2026-10-09
Sponsored coverage: Relume

[Watch the video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWaLIrQzH3o)
Video language: English

## Connect the workspace and model

Thanks to Relume for sponsoring this video.

The demonstration uses GPT-5.4 mini through a paid OpenAI API key and CopilotKit Intelligence for conversation history. Local pages and cloud conversation handling are different parts of the setup.

1. Open the original repository and its SETUP.md linked with this video.
2. Follow the documented prerequisites and installation route. Keep API keys out of shared files.
3. Use the setup update retained in the description: the CPK_INTELLIGENCE_API_KEY route removes the extra INTELLIGENCE_API_KEY step shown in the recording.
4. Test a reply and conversation history before adding a real job.

## Give the Researcher Dot boundaries

Luke creates a research space and a Researcher Dot that must return a draft for approval before it saves the page.

1. Describe the research question, required sources and finished brief.
2. Give the Dot the access it needs for that space.
3. Explicitly require review before saving, and define what to do when a source cannot be checked.

## Review, correct and save

The first draft in the video contains an error. A working connection does not establish accurate research.

1. Open the cited sources and compare them with the draft.
2. Correct the unsupported claim and inspect the revised brief.
3. Approve the content before saving it as a page.
4. Check that the saved page contains the corrected version and understand which information leaves the local machine.

## The takeaway

OpenDots is an open-source template, with separate model and connected-service costs. This article preserves the video’s setup update; the repository is the reference for later changes.

## Workflow resources

- [relume.1stcollab.com](https://relume.1stcollab.com/ai-luke)
- [github.com](https://github.com/CopilotKit/OpenDots)
- [github.com](https://github.com/CopilotKit/OpenDots/blob/main/docs/SETUP.md)
- [git-scm.com](https://git-scm.com/install/)
- [nodejs.org](https://nodejs.org/en/download)
- [intelligence.copilotkit.ai](https://intelligence.copilotkit.ai/)
- [github.com](https://github.com/CopilotKit/OpenDots/pull/72)

## Chapters

- [0:00 ChatGPT Dots and OpenDots](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWaLIrQzH3o&t=0s)
- [0:30 What OpenDots can do](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWaLIrQzH3o&t=30s)
- [1:27 Setup requirements](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWaLIrQzH3o&t=87s)
- [1:53 Relume Publish (sponsor)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWaLIrQzH3o&t=113s)
- [3:10 Install and connect OpenDots](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWaLIrQzH3o&t=190s)
- [5:10 Create your Researcher Dot](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWaLIrQzH3o&t=310s)
- [6:04 Test the connection](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWaLIrQzH3o&t=364s)
- [6:29 Research, review and save a brief](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWaLIrQzH3o&t=389s)
- [7:26 Results and next steps](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWaLIrQzH3o&t=446s)

## Sources and limitations

Written follow-along guide prepared 31 October 2026 from this exact published video’s description and chapter sequence. The checklists are editorial adaptations, not verbatim transcript quotations. Demonstrated results are attributed to the video; the full final video was not independently transcribed or watched for this article, and the product was not retested. For installation commands, later interface changes and current offers, use the original resources linked here.

[Original video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWaLIrQzH3o)