# Mike Holp: AI Automation Station

Mike Holp tests new AI models, agents, and automation tools on real builds and publishes the results on the AI Automation Station YouTube channel. Most videos cover Claude Code, Codex, OpenCode, and n8n, with every setup step shown. He also builds TubeAnalytics and VisiScan and hosts AI Income Lab, the paid learning community on Skool.

AI Income Lab here means "AI Income Lab by Mike Holp" (skool.com/ai-automation-station-7346). It is not affiliated with other Skool groups or courses that use a similar name.

## Key facts

- Product and membership facts reviewed November 8, 2026 against the published site. Check the linked official pages for subsequent changes.
- New long-form videos most days; the full archive is at /videos.
- TubeAnalytics: YouTube analytics for creators, currently temporarily unavailable. No active trial or subscription offer is advertised on this site.
- VisiScan: checks whether AI assistants recommend a business. Free scan with no signup; full report $49 USD once; weekly monitoring from $29 USD a month.
- AI Income Lab: Skool community with 2,900+ members. Standard $29, Premium $49, VIP $89 a month, or $290, $490, $890 a year. VIP adds weekly coaching, software deals, and 6,400+ n8n templates.
- AI Income Lab billing is in USD. Free written guides and videos are separate from the paid Skool membership; automation hosting, AI API usage, and other software can cost extra.
- Standard includes the Runable course; Beginner’s Automation Course unlocks at Skool level 2 and VAPI AI Voice Agent Course at level 4. Premium and VIP include immediate access to both and the Complete AI Avatar Video Course.
- Income is not guaranteed; results depend on the project, experience, and time invested.
- Sponsorship: brands can sponsor a build shown on the channel. Dedicated video $1,500, YouTube Short $400, LinkedIn post $350, AI Income Lab post $300, or all four as a campaign for $2,250 ($2,550 separately). Past sponsored builds include Treg, DataForSEO, BrowserAct, Bluehost and Apify.

## Official pages

- [Home](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/)
- [About Mike Holp](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/about.html): who runs the channel, how the guides and videos are made, and how to get in touch.
- [Sponsor a build](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/sponsors.html): audience numbers, packages and rates, past sponsored videos, and a proposal form. The [media kit](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/media-kit/ai-automation-station-media-kit-2026.pdf) and [rate card](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/media-kit/ai-automation-station-rate-card-2026.pdf) are PDFs.
- [Every video](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/videos)
- [YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/@ai-automation-station)
- [TubeAnalytics status](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/#tools): Temporarily unavailable; see the product section for current status.
- [VisiScan](https://www.visiscan.app)
- [AI Income Lab on Skool](https://www.skool.com/ai-automation-station-7346/about)
- [AI Income Lab plans](https://www.skool.com/ai-automation-station-7346/plans): Official plan selection and checkout; current course access and billing details are also visible on the [homepage](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/#pricing).

## Video topics

- [Claude Code tutorials and builds](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/videos/claude-code): Builds, skills and workflows with Anthropic’s Claude Code in the terminal.
- [Codex and OpenCode tutorials](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/videos/codex-opencode): Coding-agent builds with OpenAI Codex and OpenCode, from setup to side-by-side tests.
- [n8n tutorials: AI workflows and agents](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/videos/n8n): Workflows and AI automations in n8n, from a first build to self-hosted agents.
- [Make.com tutorials: no-code AI automations](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/videos/make-com): No-code AI automations built step by step in Make.com.
- [AI agent tutorials and tests](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/videos/ai-agents): Personal assistants, research agents and agent tools tested on real tasks.
- [AI SEO: get found in Google and AI answers](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/videos/ai-seo): Tools and tests for getting a site found in Google and in AI answers.
- [Make money with AI: client work, leads and services](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/videos/make-money): Client services, lead generation and monetization with AI, tested without income promises.
- [AI website and app builder tutorials](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/videos/ai-website-builders): Websites, landing pages and web apps built with AI builders, start to finish.
- [AI video and YouTube tutorials](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/videos/ai-video): AI video editing, Shorts, thumbnails and avatar workflows for creators.
- [AI content and social media tutorials](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/videos/ai-content): Social posts, images, presentations and page chatbots made with AI tools.
- [AI automation ideas and no-code workflows](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/videos/ai-automation): Practical automations for email, leads, content and admin, with the tools named.
- [New AI model launches, tested](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/videos/new-models): Launch breakdowns and first tests of new models from Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, xAI and others.

## Start building

- [Codex usage limits: check usage, plans and reset times](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/guides/codex-usage-limits.html): Check Codex usage and remaining limits on each ChatGPT plan, find the reset time, and choose what to do when you run out.
- [Vapi AI tutorial: build a voice agent, test calls, webhooks](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/guides/vapi-voice-agent-tutorial.html): Vapi AI voice agent tutorial: create an assistant, pick a model, voice and transcriber, test a call, connect a phone number, then check webhooks and costs.
- [Free build guides](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/guides.html): Free AI automation guides and articles: learn Claude Code, Codex, Make.com, n8n, AI agents and SEO, with practical builds, sources and checks you can run.
- [Start here](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/start-here.html): Choose a free first build: AI API gateways, creator websites, business automation, or avatar and voice agents. Find prerequisites and practical next steps.
- [React YouTube feed tutorial: API, caching and fallbacks](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/guides/youtube-feed.html): Build a YouTube feed in React with server-side API access, cached video data, accessible cards and failure checks when a request fails.
- [React consent tracking: Google Analytics and Meta](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/guides/consent-tracking.html): Add consent tracking to a React site for Google Analytics and Meta: store the choice, guard optional events, and test opt-in and opt-out.
- [OpenCode vs Claude Code: pricing, setup and limits](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/guides/opencode-vs-claude-code.html): OpenCode vs Claude Code: compare licensing, model providers, setup, subscription vs API billing and usage limits before picking a coding agent.
- [Codex desktop app for Linux: download Codex and the CLI](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/guides/codex-on-linux.html): Download Codex on Linux: install the desktop preview or the Codex CLI with official commands, sign in with ChatGPT, and fix errors.
- [Claude Code tutorial for beginners: install and use it](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/guides/claude-code-for-beginners.html): Claude Code tutorial for beginners: install on Mac, Windows or Linux, sign in, learn permissions and CLAUDE.md, and make one small change you can check.
- [HeyGen AI avatar tutorial: create your first video](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/guides/heygen-ai-avatar-tutorial.html): HeyGen AI avatar tutorial: choose stock or custom avatars, record consent, refine your script and voice, check plan limits, and plan API automation.
- [Codex vs Claude Code: how I use both and route tasks](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/guides/claude-code-vs-codex.html): Codex vs Claude Code in a real setup: which terminal coding agent handles which task, how I keep both safe, and what happens when a usage limit hits.
- [Test your first AI API request locally](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/guides/first-api-request.html): Run a free local API example, distinguish keys from subscriptions, and diagnose authentication and model errors before connecting an AI agent.
- [Codex tutorial: make and verify a small code change](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/guides/codex-workflow.html): Practice a Codex workflow on a local API example: inspect the code, add a failure check, review the diff, and verify the result without paid API calls.
- [What Is AI Automation? Examples, Tools and a First Build](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/guides/ai-automation.html): AI automation explained in plain English: how it works, real examples, which type of tool fits you, and a first AI workflow you can build and check.
- [Make.com Google Sheets tutorial: filter approved requests](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/guides/make-first-automation.html): Build a small Make.com scenario with Google Sheets: filter sample requests, map approved rows, and check the output before enabling a schedule.
- [Self-host n8n on Ubuntu: Docker and Node.js setup](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/guides/self-host-n8n.html): Self-host n8n on Ubuntu with Docker or Node.js 24. Create an owner account, test a three-node workflow, and check persistence before adding credentials.
- [Hermes Desktop: install on Mac, Windows or Linux](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/guides/hermes-desktop.html): Install Hermes Agent with Hermes Desktop on Mac or Windows, or Hermes One on Linux, then connect a model provider and check it with tasks you can verify.
- [DataForSEO MCP: connect Claude Code to real SEO data](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/guides/dataforseo-mcp-claude.html): Connect the DataForSEO MCP server to Claude Code, load its SEO tools, and run a keyword or site query with costs and results you can check.
- [Make money with AI with no experience](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/guides/make-money-with-ai-no-experience.html): How to make money with AI with no experience: pick one task, build a small automation on free tiers, and offer it to one person you know.
- [How to make money with AI fast: the honest path](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/guides/make-money-with-ai-fast.html): How to make money with AI fast: there is no dependable lazy way, but there is an honest fast path. Time and risk costs, scam red flags.
- [AI side hustles for beginners: 7 services to test](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/guides/ai-side-hustles.html): AI side hustles: 7 ideas judged by skill, cost and time to first client, each with a first test you can run this week. No hype, no income promises.
- [How to sell AI automation services to small businesses](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/guides/ai-automation-services-small-business.html): How to sell AI automation services to small businesses: what to offer, a discovery checklist, fixed scope, pricing and handover. Start with one task.
- [Make money with ChatGPT: 4 client services](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/guides/make-money-with-chatgpt.html): How to make money with ChatGPT through client work: editing, research, FAQ drafts and assistant setups, with quality checks. See what to offer first.
- [9Router setup: install, port 20128, updates and providers](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/guides/9router-setup.html): 9Router setup: install the gateway, use or change port 20128, update it, find the official docs, add providers and model combos, and connect coding tools.
- [OpenCode Go: pricing, models, limits and setup](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/guides/opencode-go.html): OpenCode Go explained: the $10, $40 and team plans, included models, how the 5-hour, weekly and monthly limits work, setup with /connect, and Go vs Zen.
- [OpenRouter: API key, free models, pricing and setup](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/guides/openrouter-setup.html): OpenRouter setup: create an API key, use :free models within daily caps, understand the credit fee, connect Claude Code, and fix 401, 402 or 429 errors.
- [Kilo Code tutorial: install, free models and first task](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/guides/kilo-code-tutorial.html): Kilo Code tutorial: install the VS Code extension or CLI, choose free, BYOK or paid models, set approvals, run a first task, and see what Kilo Pass costs.
- [Claude Opus vs Sonnet vs Haiku vs Fable: which to use](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/guides/claude-models-compared.html): Claude Opus 5.5 vs Sonnet 5.5 vs Haiku 5.5 vs Fable 5.1: prices, speed, effort defaults, and which model to pick for coding, agents and bulk work.
- [Lovable vs Base44 vs Replit: pricing and which to pick](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/guides/lovable-vs-base44-vs-replit.html): Lovable vs Base44 vs Replit compared: November 2026 prices, what each free plan allows, how credits are spent, custom domains, and which to pick.
- [How to install OpenClaw: local, VPS or hosted, safely](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/guides/install-openclaw.html): How to install OpenClaw: the official installer, onboarding, connecting Telegram or WhatsApp, the security settings to check first, and hosted options.
- [ChatGPT Pro 20x vs 5x vs Plus: Limits, Pause & Codex (2026)](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/guides/chatgpt-pro-20x.html): ChatGPT Pro 20x vs 5x vs Plus limits compared: why the $200 plan was paused in September 2026, what OpenAI changed in October, and Codex credits.
- [OpenSEO review: setup, data costs and practical limits](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/guides/openseo-review.html): OpenSEO review from Mike’s live demo: hosted and self-hosted setup, DataForSEO costs, and what to check before replacing a paid SEO suite.
- [What is n8n used for? Real uses and a first workflow](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/guides/what-is-n8n-used-for.html): What n8n is used for: app syncs, webhooks, reports and AI agent steps. See how it works, who it fits, and build a first workflow you can check.
- [How does agentic AI differ from traditional automation?](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/guides/agentic-ai-vs-traditional-automation.html): Agentic AI picks its own steps toward a goal. Traditional automation follows a fixed path. See the differences, when to use each, and how to combine them.
- [n8n vs Zapier vs Make: billing, builders and AI agents](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/guides/n8n-vs-zapier-vs-make.html): n8n vs Zapier vs Make compared on hosting, billing units, builder style and AI agents, with vendor sources and a one-hour test to pick yours.
- [n8n alternatives open source: 5 tools and their licenses](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/guides/n8n-alternatives-open-source.html): Open-source n8n alternatives compared: Node-RED, Activepieces, Windmill, Kestra and Huginn, with license sources and a test to choose one.
- [No-code AI agent builder: compare n8n, Make, Zapier and more](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/guides/no-code-ai-agent-builder.html): Pick a no-code AI agent builder: n8n, Make and Zapier compared on tools, knowledge and testing, plus OpenAI Agent Builder, Lindy and a test plan.
- [AI agent workflow: choose tools, add checks, keep control](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/guides/ai-agent-workflow.html): AI agent workflows: define a bounded task, connect only needed tools, validate outputs and require approval before consequential actions.
- [AI content creation workflow: images, video and audio](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/guides/ai-content-creation-workflows.html): AI content creation for images, video, audio and presentations: plan the deliverable, make a draft, review rights and quality, then export.
- [Build apps with AI coding agents: a safe first workflow](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/guides/build-apps-with-ai-coding-agents.html): Build a small app with an AI coding agent: define the task, inspect the project, work in small changes, run checks and review the diff.
- [How to choose an AI model for a task](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/guides/choosing-ai-models-for-a-task.html): Choose an AI model with a small test set: compare accuracy, latency, cost, privacy and failure handling on the work you actually need done.
- [YouTube channel growth workflow: research, publish, learn](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/guides/youtube-channel-growth-workflow.html): YouTube channel workflow: research ideas, package videos, check analytics and improve the next upload without guessing from one metric.
- [How to use ChatGPT on Linux: web and desktop options](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/guides/chatgpt-linux.html): Use ChatGPT on Linux through the official web app, check the desktop preview requirements, and run a first chat with facts you can verify.
- [AI Rocket Demo: Three.js Scene and Camera Controls](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/guides/ai-threejs-rocket-demo.html): Follow a recorded AI-generated rocket scene, inspect its HTML preview and add zoom and rotation, without treating the demo as a validated flight simulator.
- [ChatGPT Image Editing: Sketch-to-Scene and Local Edits](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/guides/chatgpt-images-sketch-workflow.html): Follow a sketch-to-image composition and a local dog edit in ChatGPT Images, then check object placement, reference fidelity and unintended changes.
- [Claude Code Task Manager: Scope, Checks and Packaging](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/guides/claude-code-task-manager.html): Explore a recorded Windows and Linux task-manager project, from its prompt and metric checks to packaging limits and platform differences.
- [CleanYourTV with Claude Code: TCL Setup and Risks](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/guides/cleanyourtv-claude-code.html): Follow the TCL CleanYourTV case, including debugging access, backups, launcher changes and the remote-button failures that remain in the recorded outcome.
- [Internal Link Audit with Codex: A Reviewed SEO Workflow](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/guides/codex-seo-workflow.html): Use a recorded internal link audit to structure research, a phased plan, reviewed edits and rechecks, without turning an anecdotal link count into a rule.
- [CrowdReply MCP with Codex: Citation Data to Review Plans](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/guides/crowdreply-mcp-codex.html): CrowdReply-to-Codex workflow for citation records and implementation plans, with limits on samples, marketplace claims and measured uplift.
- [DeepSeek Harness First Test: Setup Errors and Demo Limits](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/guides/deepseek-harness-first-test.html): Follow a DeepSeek Harness preview test through provider failures, a working OpenRouter route and a generated engine animation that remains buggy.
- [Ghostty Config on Debian: Themes and Reload Checks](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/guides/ghostty-debian-configuration.html): Explore a recorded Debian Ghostty config and theme setup, official config filenames and reload behavior, without assuming universal packages or RAM gains.
- [GrokBot for Beginners: First Bot, Access and Approvals](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/guides/grokbot-for-beginners.html): Set up a narrowly scoped GrokBot workflow, understand the shared box and separate desktops, connect needed services and keep external actions reviewable.
- [GrokBot for SEO: Audit Bots, Data and Reviewed Fixes](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/guides/grokbot-for-seo.html): Follow a recorded SEO-bot setup, separate provider data from estimates and turn an audit into reviewed changes without assuming current trial entitlements.
- [GrokBot Virtual Office: Build a Custom Agent Dashboard](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/guides/grokbot-virtual-office.html): Follow a custom GrokBot office Page, including layout fixes, copied approval handoffs and the unfinished status synchronization behind the visual overview.
- [GrokBot vs Dots: Onboarding, Job Drafts and Permissions](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/guides/grokbot-vs-dots.html): Compare recorded Dots onboarding with a GrokBot job-draft workflow: permission limits, unequal test conditions and no claim of submitted applications.
- [Herdr Desktop Guide: Setup, Workspaces and Limits](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/guides/herdr-desktop-app.html): Follow Herdr desktop setup, themes, session resume and side-by-side agents, with documented lifecycle limits and a qualified recorded memory observation.
- [Herdr Terminal Guide: Workspaces and Coding-Agent Sessions](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/guides/herdr-guide.html): Organize coding agents in the Herdr terminal, use the documented installer and distinguish background sessions from desktop-app behavior.
- [Jev AI with Coding Agents: Skills, Access and Routed Tests](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/guides/jev-skills-router-setup.html): Follow recorded TypeSafe Jev skills and routing tests, separate access from installation and inspect returned requests; confidence is not proof.
- [Meta Muse Code Setup: API Failure and a Working CLI](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/guides/muse-code-setup.html): Follow an unsuccessful OpenCode API route and a responding Meta Muse Code CLI, with clear limits on model access, installer details and the open audit.
- [OpenDesign (Open Design) on Linux: Source Setup and Slides](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/guides/opendesign-linux-slides.html): Explore recorded OpenDesign (Open Design) source setup, dependency fixes and HTML deck export, while separating model charges from software access.
- [REA Coding-Agent Case: A Video-Editor Prototype](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/guides/rea-video-editor-prototype.html): Follow a REA-assisted editor prototype, its documented setup command and the playback, effects and resizing problems that remain after the recorded build.
- [GrokBot WordPress Workflow: Long-Form Videos to Drafts](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/guides/run-a-blog-with-grokbot.html): Turn long-form video sources into reviewable WordPress drafts, separating connector access, recurring writing, publication approval and subscriber emails.
- [Runable AI Audit-Service Website: Research to an MVP](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/guides/runable-audit-website.html): Follow a Runable AI audit-service site from business brief to revised MVP, with payments, inquiry delivery and service fulfillment still requiring checks.
- [Trakkr and Codex: AI Visibility, Crawlers and Visits](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/guides/trakkr-codex-visibility-workflow.html): Follow tracked questions and MCP action lists while distinguishing AI visibility, crawler activity, citations and visits from verified commercial outcomes.
- [Treg in GrokBot: Connect Data Tools and Control Costs](https://www.ai-automation-station.com/guides/treg-inside-grokbot.html): Follow recorded Treg connections and SEO reporting, separate provider billing from catalog access, and decide before paid requests.
- Support: automojic@proton.me