Free Build Guide · Obsidian + Claude + Iron Man Dashboards

Build Your Own AI Command Center.

A working personal AI cockpit on your computer. Obsidian vault as your second brain, Claude Desktop with Cowork as the brain, and optional dashboards with voice as the Iron Man layer. Not theory. Not another course. A real system that connects your files, your business context, and your AI workflow so you can actually use AI every day.

The guide is 100% free · full PDF + starter vault + templates · Same setup I run my business on
27-page PDF. Step-by-step. Drive folder, files included. Built by Corey Gray · Launch Automation
AI Command Center build guide
Why Build One

One Cockpit For Your Entire Business.

The most fun, useful project you can take on as a business owner. Everything you need on one screen: clients, calendar, inbox, tasks, pipeline, and AI agents. Voice-driven if you want it. Iron Man feel without the budget.

1

One Screen

Your clients, calendar, inbox, tasks, pipeline, and AI agents on a single bridge. Stop tab-jumping. Start operating.

The cockpit
3

Layers To Build

Obsidian vault for your second brain. Claude Desktop with Cowork as your AI brain. Optional dashboards with voice as the Iron Man layer.

The architecture
1 Weekend

To Layer 1 + 2

Block one Saturday morning, three hours, coffee. You can be running Claude with your vault by lunch.

The path
$0

For The Guide

Full PDF, starter vault, CLAUDE.md template, system files, and the 11-phase deep-dive docs. All free.

The deal

Technology is a friend or an enemy. You pick. AI is not coming, it is already here. The gap between people using it and people watching it widens every quarter. Whatever you build with this guide, the act of building it puts you on the right side of that gap. You will learn more in one weekend with this blueprint than most operators learn all year.

The Big Picture

Three Layers, Built In Order.

The full path from zero to a running system. Start with Layers 1 and 2. Many people stop there and get tons of value. Layer 3 is for the Iron Man feel.

Three layers, one connected system · your files, your AI, your cockpit
Layer 1 - Obsidian vault on your Mac. A folder of plain text files. Your second brain. Notes, clients, tasks, templates, and operating context, all on your machine.
Layer 2 - Claude Desktop with Cowork. The AI brain that reads and writes to your vault. Cowork mode is what makes the whole thing work. It requires Claude Max.
Layer 3 - Optional dashboards. AI Ops, Agency Ops, and the Bridge with voice. The Iron Man cockpit. Only build this once you have used Layers 1 and 2 for at least 30 days.
Building one of these is the fastest way to actually adopt AI. Not theory, not YouTube, not another course. Real implementation that makes you money this month.
What You'll Build

The Foundation, The Brain, And The Cockpit.

Three working pieces. Drop in the starter files, point Claude at your vault, and you have a working AI command center on day one.

Layer 01

Your Second Brain

  • Obsidian installed and a Vault folder created on your computer
  • Starter vault files dropped in: CLAUDE.md, templates, system folder
  • Client profile, conversations, tasks, meeting notes templates
  • Operating instructions tuned to your business and voice
  • Everything plain text, local, portable, yours
Layer 02

Your AI Brain

  • Claude Desktop installed with Cowork mode enabled
  • Vault connected so Claude reads and writes your context
  • Foundation skills installed: docs, productivity, schedule, mcp-builder
  • Domain skills: operations, marketing, brand-voice, SEO
  • Gmail, Calendar, Drive, your CRM, and meeting recorders connected
Layer 03 · Optional

The Iron Man Cockpit

  • AI Ops dashboard: AI inventory, plugins, skills, token usage
  • Agency Ops dashboard: clients, pipeline, tasks, deliverables
  • The Bridge: master HTML console with voice control
  • Cloudflare Pages free hosting + ElevenLabs voice
  • Ambient voice capture daemon that transcribes you locally
Foundation Steps

Zero To Running System. Step By Step.

Eleven steps. Do them in order. Three hours of focused work gets you through the foundation. The guide walks you through every click.

  1. 1

    Install Claude Desktop 5 MINUTES

    Download from claude.com/download, drag to Applications, sign in, confirm you are on Max or higher. Cowork mode requires Max, Pro is not enough.

  2. 2

    Install Obsidian 5 MINUTES

    Grab it from obsidian.md, drag to Applications, launch it. Do not create a vault yet, just confirm it opens.

  3. 3

    Create the Vault folder 2 MINUTES

    Open Finder, click Documents, create a new folder, name it Vault. Lives at /Users/your-username/Documents/Vault/.

  4. 4

    Drop the starter files into your Vault 5 MINUTES

    From the Drive folder, grab the Install for client folder. Unzip if needed. Select everything inside and drag into Vault. CLAUDE.md MUST be at the root.

  5. 5

    Open Vault in Obsidian 2 MINUTES

    Launch Obsidian, click Open folder as vault, navigate to your Vault folder, click Open. You should see all the folders and files in the sidebar.

  6. 6

    Customize CLAUDE.md 15-30 MINUTES

    Open CLAUDE.md, scroll to Business Context, fill in every bracketed section with your real information. Spend extra time on the Things you hate seeing in AI writing section, that alone makes Claude sound 10x better out of the box.

  7. 7

    Connect Vault to Claude 5 MINUTES

    Enable Cowork in Claude Desktop, click Add folder, select your Vault folder (single-click, do not double-click), allow access. Test: Read CLAUDE.md and summarize what you know about my business.

  8. 8

    Install foundation skills 15 MINUTES

    Document handling (docx, xlsx, pptx, pdf), productivity, schedule, skill-creator, consolidate-memory. Builder tools: mcp-builder, watch, web-asset-generator, deep-research, viral-video-production.

  9. 9

    Install domain skills 10 MINUTES

    Operations (structured processes), marketing (you market your business), brand-voice (you produce content), searchfit-seo (you have a website). Tell Claude to update System/TOOLS.md with the list and today's date.

  10. 10

    Connect your tools 30 MINUTES

    Gmail (work account), Google Calendar, Google Drive, meeting recorder (Fathom or Granola), your CRM (GHL, HubSpot, Salesforce), work tools (Slack, Notion, Asana, Canva, Stripe). Test each connector with a real query before installing the next.

  11. 11

    Use it daily for 30 days THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP

    Run morning briefings, client prep, file cleanup commands every day. Note what feels missing, that tells you what to build next. Most people quit at Day 4 because the system feels empty. Push through. Week 2 is when it clicks.

What's In The Drive Folder

Everything You Need To Start. Already Built.

Open the Drive folder in a separate tab before you start. Inside is every starter file, every template, and every deep-dive doc that powers the build.

WhatWhere it goesWhy it mattersDetail
Starter vault files Drop into
your Vault folder
5 minutes to install The "Install for client" folder. Drop these into Vault and you have a working second brain on day one - no guessing on structure.
CLAUDE.md Root of Vault
(not in a subfolder)
15-30 min to customize The operating instructions template. Tells Claude who you are, what your business does, your voice, and how to talk to you. The brain of the brain.
Template files Inside your Vault
under templates/
Pre-filled scaffolding Client profile, conversations, tasks, meeting notes, and more. Fill them in or let Claude write into them automatically.
System folder files Vault/System/ Operating context CONTEXT, TOOLS, USER, IDENTITY, and related system files. The reference docs Claude reads to stay grounded.
Deep-dive docs Reference Optional but powerful The 11 phase documents with architecture-level detail. For builders who want to understand exactly how every layer connects.
If You Want Help

I'm Cheap Compared To Most.

The guide is complete. You can build the whole thing yourself with zero outside help. If you do, I want to hear about it - tag me when you finish. If you want me in the room while you build, I do live 1-on-1 Zoom sessions where I remote into your computer and we build it together.

$200per 1-hour session, pay as you go
No retainerNo setup fees, no package trap
RecordedEvery session yours to keep
FastSave weeks of trial and error in one hour
Two ways to work with me +

Two completely different paths. Pick the one that fits how you want to grow. Both start free.

Done-WITH-you AI coaching

Live 1-on-1 Zoom sessions where I remote into your computer, build with you, and teach as we go. Best if you want to learn and own the build. $200 per 1-hour session, pay as you go. No retainer, no setup fee, no minimum.

What you getDetail
1-hour live Zoom + remote loginI drive while teaching, you watch and learn
Every session recordedYours to keep, rewatch anytime
No package trapBook what you need, when you need it
Fast progressOne hour usually saves a week of trial and error

Done-FOR-you Command Center

I build the whole thing for you, install it on your computer, train you to use it. Best if you want it done and you do not want to touch the keyboard. Three tiers, from a starter cockpit to a full Iron Man bridge.

One-on-one coaching: $200 / hour
TIP: If you have never used Claude or Obsidian before, one session with me will save you at least a week of fumbling. That math always wins. If you can't reach out for help, no problem - the guide is complete and you can build the entire thing on your own.
Corey Gray of Launch Automation in an astronaut suit
Who Wrote This

Hi, I'm Corey.

I run Launch Automation, a done-for-you agency based in Boca Raton. I specialize in helping insurance agents scale and automate their sales and marketing. I also help business owners across other industries adopt AI and actually implement it in a way that makes them money.

AI is my passion. I run a successful agency, but I spend my best hours building, testing, breaking, and rebuilding AI systems. The same systems I run my own business on are the ones in this guide. Whatever you build with this blueprint, the act of building it puts you ahead of 95% of operators still watching from the sidelines.

Want It Built FOR You Instead?

Book A 1-on-1 Build Session.

If you'd rather have me build this with you live, or build the whole thing for you and install it on your machine, I offer both. One screen for your CRM, calendar, email, files, pipeline, and AI agents, all driven by a Jarvis voice assistant. You skip the trial-and-error and end up with a working system in days, not weekends.

  • One cinematic command bridge for your entire business
  • Voice-driven by Jarvis (powered by Claude), speak commands, get answers
  • Custom-built, installed on your computer, you own the code
  • $200/hour coaching or three done-for-you tiers from $1,497 to $4,997
Book 1-on-1 Session
The Only Thing I Ask

Follow Me. That's The Whole Deal.

I'm not gating this guide. No email, no upsell, no spam. I'm giving away the same setup I run my own business on - free - because I want more people building. If this saved you a week of fumbling, take 10 seconds and hit follow on one platform. Every follow tells me to keep dropping free resources like this one. That's it. That's the deal.

10 seconds to hit follow. A lifetime of free AI builds in return. When you finish your command center, tag me - I love seeing what people make.
Get Started · Free

Two Doors. Pick One.

Download the full guide and starter files free, or skip the trial-and-error and book a live build session with me. Either way, you walk away with a working command center.

The Free Guide + Starter Files

27-page PDF with every step, the Drive folder with starter vault, CLAUDE.md template, system files, and the 11 deep-dive architecture docs. Everything you need to build the whole thing yourself.

$0completely free · no email gate
No signup, no upsell, no spam. The full guide and every file is in the Drive folder. Open it and start.

What's inside the guide

$0free forever
  • The full 27-page Build Guide PDF, step-by-step from Install to Day 30
  • Install for client folder: ready-to-drop-in starter vault
  • CLAUDE.md operating-instructions template you customize once
  • Template files: client profile, conversations, tasks, meeting notes
  • System folder: CONTEXT, TOOLS, USER, IDENTITY
  • The 11-phase architecture deep-dive documents
Last Thing

You Have Everything You Need.

The blueprint, the files, the steps, the design spec for the full system. The same setup I run my own business on. Free. The people who pick this up and run with it will be in a different place in six months than the people who downloaded the guide and never opened the Drive folder. Adopt it now. Build something. Tell me what you build.

Questions before you build? Email me or comment on any of my Instagram / TikTok posts. I answer them publicly.

FAQ

Straight Answers.

Yes. No email gate, no upsell, no spam. I built it because I want more people running their own AI systems instead of watching everyone else do it. The whole 27-page PDF, the Drive folder, the starter vault, the templates, the system files, and the 11 deep-dive architecture docs are all free. If it saves you a week of fumbling, follow me and share one video, that's the deal.

A computer (Mac or Windows, most steps work the same), a Claude account on the Max plan (Cowork requires Max, roughly $100-200/mo), and a microphone if you want voice later. The rest is free or already included in the Drive folder. Do not buy ElevenLabs or Anthropic API credits yet, you do not need them until Step 10 or later.

Cowork mode is what gives Claude desktop the ability to actually read and write to your vault. It is the bridge that turns Claude into your AI brain instead of just a chat window. Cowork requires the Max plan, Pro is not enough. That is by design from Anthropic, not me. If you are serious about building this, the Max plan is the floor.

Inside your Documents folder, named exactly Vault, so the path is /Users/your-username/Documents/Vault/. Then the starter files from the Install for client folder get dropped INSIDE Vault. CLAUDE.md MUST be at the root of Vault, not inside a subfolder. Cowork looks for it there specifically.

Foundation (Layers 1 and 2) is usually one focused Saturday morning. Three hours, coffee, no distractions, you can be running Claude with your vault by lunch. Layer 3 (the Iron Man dashboards) is a separate project I recommend you wait on for at least 30 days, until you know what panels you actually want.

First, give it 15 minutes. If you are still stuck, screenshot the error and DM me on Instagram or TikTok, I answer questions publicly. If you want hands-on help getting unstuck, book a 1-on-1 session. One hour usually saves a week of trial and error.

Five things: the Install for client starter vault folder, the CLAUDE.md operating-instructions template, template files (client profile, conversations, tasks, meeting notes, etc), the System folder files (CONTEXT, TOOLS, USER, IDENTITY), and the 11 phase documents with architecture-level detail. Drop them in the right spots and you have a working second brain on day one.

A live 1-hour Zoom where I remote into your computer and we build it together while I teach you what we are doing. $200 per session, pay as you go, no retainer, no setup fee, no monthly commitment. Every session is recorded and yours to keep. Best if you have never used Claude or Obsidian before, one session will save you at least a week of fumbling.

Coaching is done-WITH-you, $200/hr live sessions where we build together and you learn. The Command Center is done-FOR-you, I build the whole thing for you, install it on your computer, train you to use it. Pick coaching if you want to learn and own the build. Pick the Command Center if you want it done and you do not want to touch the keyboard.

The guide is written for non-technical builders. You point and click. The hardest "technical" step is dragging a folder, naming files, and following the screenshots. If you can run a business, you can build this. If you do hit something that requires terminal commands or wiring up APIs, that is when a 1-on-1 session is worth the $200.

Both. I use Mac, but Claude Desktop, Obsidian, and everything in the guide runs on Mac and Windows. Some path examples in the guide are Mac-style (/Users/your-username/Documents/Vault/), the Windows equivalent is C:\Users\your-username\Documents\Vault\. Most steps are identical.

For business automation, Claude is the most capable model right now: longest context, best reasoning, strongest coding, and the cleanest MCP and tool ecosystem for connecting to your business systems. Cowork mode (reading and writing files on your computer) is also unique to Claude Desktop. You can integrate ChatGPT or Gemini as fallback LLMs later, but Claude is the core brain of this system.

Yes. Everything runs on your machine with your own accounts. There is no monthly subscription to me. Your Claude, Obsidian, integrations, and workflows keep working as long as you pay for those services directly. When Claude releases updates, your setup usually just gets better automatically.

Because you have not used it for 30 days yet. Most people quit at Day 4 because they expect it to feel magical on day one. It does not. Week 2 is when it clicks. The system gets smarter as you fill it with notes, meetings, client context, and your operating preferences. Push through Day 4. By Day 30 it knows your business better than most of your team does.

The Point Of No Return

Build It This Weekend.
Get On The Right Side.

The blueprint is free and the files are waiting. The people who build this will be in a different place in six months than the people who just downloaded it. Grab the guide and start today.