Why WorkBuddy feels dumb: ten settings that keep agents alive, safe, and worth trusting

Hi everyone, I'm Xiaofan.

A lot of people's first reaction after installing WorkBuddy is to throw a task at it and see how smoothly it works.

I did the same at first. After using it for about two weeks, something felt off: tasks kept breaking midway, I couldn't find where files were saved, and it didn't feel smart enough, while its replies were long-winded and overly formal.

It turned out there were a bunch of basic settings I hadn't configured at all.

Let's go through them all at once today. It takes a few minutes to set up.

1. Allow running after screen lock

Don't let tasks break halfway

I stepped on this one. That's why it comes first.

Once I asked WorkBuddy to organize a batch of files. I estimated it would take about ten minutes, so I went to get a glass of water. When I came back, the screen was locked and the task had stopped.

WorkBuddy is an Agent built for long-running work. Many tasks can't be finished in a minute or two. If 'Allow running after screen lock' is not enabled, the moment you lock the screen or the computer goes to standby, it may stop working.

So turn this on first: go to settings and find 'Continue running after screen lock.' From then on, you can lock the screen for a meeting or a meal, and it will keep working in the background.

2. Change the storage location

This one is easy to overlook too. As WorkBuddy works, it keeps producing interaction files, log files, session records, downloaded materials, and accumulated skills, and they grow over time.

By default it stores them at: C:\Users\<user>\WorkBuddy

I suggest checking the storage location right after installation. If disk space is tight, move it to another drive.

3. Experience improvement program

Whether to hand over usage data

This one is a matter of opinion. Let me explain it, and you decide.

The 'Experience Improvement Program' basically asks whether you agree to send anonymous usage data to the vendor to help improve the product. If you opt in, the product keeps getting better; if you opt out, your usage habits stay completely local.

I personally turn it off. My daily usage data won't be used for model training.

4. Reply style

Sometimes you feel the AI is spouting correct but useless boilerplate. That's when you can define how it talks.

When WorkBuddy replies, whether it's rigorous or casual is actually up to you.

In settings, there's 'Reply Style,' usually with options like 'Professional and rigorous,' 'Natural and easygoing,' and 'Imaginative.' It won't make the model smarter, but it can make it speak in a way you like.

My approach is to switch dynamically: when writing reports or researching, choose professional and rigorous; when brainstorming ideas or writing copy, switch to imaginative. Don't use one style forever.

5. Custom instructions

Save the time spent repeating yourself

I think this one is the most valuable, so let's talk about it properly.

A big part of dealing with AI is wasted on repeating the same requests: every time, asking it to 'be more conversational,' 'don't be wordy,' 'verify the numbers first.' Saying it over and over gets annoying.

Custom instructions exist exactly for this: write those long-standing requirements in once, and it will read them before starting each task. It's like setting the rules in advance.

Go to settings, find 'Instructions for WorkBuddy,' and fill in a paragraph. Be specific, such as what you do, what style you like, and which habits you hate most.

6. Memory and evolution

Let it get to know you in a minute

This one is practical, especially if you've built up a lot of context using another AI before.

The core is 'Import Memory': the vendor gives you a prompt. You give that prompt to an AI you used before, such as GPT. It outputs a summary about you. Paste that summary back and import it, and WorkBuddy will roughly know who you are and what you usually do.

Besides importing memory, you can also edit memory.

One reminder: after importing or after long conversations, check the memory regularly. Some memories become outdated, or get misunderstood. Delete or edit them as needed.

Also, 'Conversation Memory' is worth enabling. That way it remembers you across conversations, so you don't have to stay in one chat window, and it understands you better the more you use it.

7. Automatic skill updates

When you use an AI Agent like WorkBuddy, you gradually accumulate skills, and it gets more convenient over time.

'Automatic Skill Updates' is worth enabling. Good skills keep iterating. With it on, your skills upgrade to the latest version automatically, so you don't need to update manually.

'Automatically Install Trusted Skills' and 'Automatic Suite Updates' are also worth enabling.

When someone shares a high-quality skill, or for some unofficial skills, the system runs a security check first. If it passes, the skill installs automatically, without popping up a confirmation dialog each time.

8. Connect the mini program and app

Last one. I only started using it recently, and it's quite nice.

Besides the desktop client, WorkBuddy has a WeChat mini program and a mobile app. Once connected, you can see where a task is, whether something has gone wrong, and even add an instruction remotely.

For people who often need to leave the computer but want work to keep running, this link is genuinely useful. Find the entry in settings, scan a QR code or log in, and bind it.

9. Custom models

If you have API keys for other models, or you've bought a Coding Plan or Token Plan, or you use some free models, you can connect them here under 'Custom Models.'

10. Security Center

The settings above are about making it understand you better. The next one is directly related to security.

WorkBuddy is not an ordinary chatbot. It's an Agent that can directly touch your computer. It can read and write files and execute commands. A wrong piece of copy just needs rewriting. But if it messes up files, a whole batch can be ruined.

So I suggest going into the Security Center on first use and at least understanding two areas.

One is 'Sandbox Security.' You can think of it as adding guardrails to WorkBuddy, making it run in a restricted environment. Reads, writes, executions, and network access are all governed by a set of rules.

Another is 'Automatic Backup.' I call it the cure for regret. Before it modifies Word, Excel, code, or processes a batch of files, it first keeps a backup of the original files. Even if something goes wrong later, you can roll back. But for especially important materials that exist in only one copy, I still suggest copying them yourself as well, for double insurance.

There is also 'Access Permissions.' My advice here is a bit more aggressive: turn on 'Allow Full Access' directly. If you set it to default review, it will ask you to click confirm for every move. After a while you won't be able to review anymore, and you'll just click confirm all the way, which defeats the purpose of improving efficiency. Of course, if you're letting it make major system-level changes, switch back to default permissions at that point. Being cautious is the right call.

These ten settings may seem like a lot. For people who just installed WorkBuddy, going through them takes less than ten minutes.

After adjusting them, WorkBuddy will clearly understand you better and be less of a hassle.

I've always thought that when it comes to whether AI is useful, the model is only part of it. How you configure it, and whether you're willing to hand your habits over to it, matter just as much.