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[Installing Architecture Studio](/docs/installing-architecture-studio)[Deploying Architecture Studio on Eve](/docs/deploying-architecture-studio-on-eve)[Distributing Skills to Teams](/docs/distributing-skills-to-teams)

Doc Architecture Studio · getting-started, installation

# Installing Architecture Studio

Step-by-step guide to installing Architecture Studio in Codex, Claude Desktop, and Claude Code.

Architecture Studio is distributed as one open-source plugin for **Codex**, **Claude Desktop**, and **Claude Code**. All three load the same catalog of 61 AEC skills. Claude Code also registers the eight bundled native agents and four hook handlers; Codex runs those workflow lanes through explicit skill sequences instead of pretending the Claude-specific automation exists there.

## Prerequisites

You need one of the following:

-   **Codex** — follow the current [Codex setup documentation](https://developers.openai.com/codex/)
-   **Claude Desktop** (Mac or Windows) — the standalone app from [claude.ai](https://claude.ai)
-   **Claude Code** — the CLI tool, available via `npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code`

Account, plan, model, and data controls belong to the host you choose.

## Installing in Codex

```
# Add the Git marketplace
codex plugin marketplace add AlpacaLabsLLC/skills-for-architects

# Install the plugin
codex plugin add as@skills-for-architects

# Start Codex
codex
```

Invoke `$studio` to open the Architecture Studio dispatcher, `$tool-catalog` for the complete skill menu, or `$learn` for the guided course.

## Installing in Claude Desktop

### Step 1: Open the Customize panel

Click the sliders icon in the sidebar to open **Customize**, then select **Skills** in the left panel. You’ll see any existing skills listed under **Personal skills** and **Built-in skills**.

Under **Personal plugins**, click **Create plugin** to expand the menu, then select **Add marketplace**.

![Claude Desktop Customize panel showing the Create plugin menu with Add marketplace, Upload plugin, and Create with Claude options](/images/docs/create-plugin-menu.png)

### Step 2: Add the Architecture Studio marketplace

In the **Add marketplace** dialog, paste the repository URL:

```
https://github.com/AlpacaLabsLLC/skills-for-architects
```

Click **Sync** to connect the marketplace.

![Add marketplace dialog in Claude Desktop with the Architecture Studio repository URL entered](/images/docs/add-marketplace-dialog.png)

### Step 3: Install the plugin

After syncing, click **Browse plugins** to open the Directory. Select the **Personal** tab and click the **+** button on the **Architecture Studio** card. That single install loads everything.

![Claude Desktop Directory showing the Architecture Studio plugin available for installation under the Personal tab](/images/docs/browse-plugins-install.png)

## Installing in Claude Code (CLI)

```
# Add the marketplace
claude plugin marketplace add AlpacaLabsLLC/skills-for-architects

# Install the plugin
claude plugin install as@skills-for-architects
```

## Verifying the installation

**Codex:** invoke `$studio`. Codex should present the Architecture Studio menu and offer to use the tools directly, create a studio, or open an existing one. Invoke a skill directly with `$<skill-name>`, such as `$zoning-analysis-nyc`.

**Claude Desktop or Claude Code:** type `/as:studio` in any conversation. If the plugin is installed correctly, Claude will present the Architecture Studio menu listing all available workflows.

![The /as:studio command in Claude Desktop showing the Architecture Studio main menu with all available workflows](/images/docs/studio-menu.png)

On Claude, you can also type `/` followed by any skill name (e.g., `/as:zoning-analysis-nyc`, `/as:environmental-analysis`, `/as:epd-parser`) to invoke a specific skill directly. Type `/as:tool-catalog` for the full list of available commands. New to either host? Start with `$learn` on Codex or `/as:learn` on Claude Code.

## Updating

Use your host’s plugin controls to refresh the Git marketplace and reinstall or update the plugin. In Claude Code, you can manually refresh with:

```
claude plugin marketplace update skills-for-architects
```

## Upgrading from v1.3

v1.4 changes the installed plugin identity. Architecture Studio now installs as `as@skills-for-architects` and its commands are namespaced `/as:<skill>`. The old install receives no further updates, and there are no compatibility aliases.

```
claude plugin marketplace update skills-for-architects
claude plugin uninstall architecture-studio@skills-for-architects
claude plugin install as@skills-for-architects
```

Then reload plugins or restart Claude Code.

The reinstall changes plugin code only. It does not delete or rewrite your project or workspace files, and your existing welcome and update-check preferences carry over. If you maintain Claude settings by hand, replace the old plugin identifier with the new one and change nothing else.

One project-level step is not automatic: if a project still uses the v1.x `PROJECT.md` Decisions table, open that project and run [`/as:project migrate`](/skills/project). Review the proposed migration before approving it.

## Upgrading from v1.2 or earlier

Before v1.3, Architecture Studio shipped as ten separate plugins (`00-due-diligence` … `09-project-dossier`). Those installs no longer receive updates. Uninstall them, refresh the marketplace, and install the single plugin — there is no need to stop at v1.3 on the way:

```
for p in 00-due-diligence 01-site-planning 02-zoning-analysis 03-programming \
         04-specifications 05-sustainability 06-materials-research \
         07-presentations 08-dispatcher 09-project-dossier; do
  claude plugin uninstall "$p@skills-for-architects"
done

claude plugin marketplace update skills-for-architects
claude plugin install as@skills-for-architects
```

Everything the ten plugins provided is included; no skill was dropped.

## Troubleshooting

**`$studio` doesn’t work in Codex:** Confirm that both marketplace and plugin commands completed successfully, then restart Codex. Codex invokes installed skills with `$skill-name`, not Claude’s `/as:skill-name` syntax.

**The plugin appears in the Directory but skills don’t show:** You browsed the marketplace but didn’t install. Go to Customize → Skills → Create plugin → Add marketplace, then Browse plugins and install **Architecture Studio**.

**`/as:studio` doesn’t work:** Make sure the plugin is installed — it provides the `/as:studio` entry point.

**Skills don’t trigger automatically:** In Codex, invoke a skill with `$<skill-name>`, such as `$zoning-analysis-nyc`. In Claude, type `/` to see the available commands and invoke a skill with `/as:<skill-name>`.

**Distributing to a team?** See [Distributing Skills to Teams](/docs/distributing-skills-to-teams) for project settings, managed settings, and MDM deployment.

**Need help?** Open an issue on [GitHub](https://github.com/AlpacaLabsLLC/skills-for-architects/issues) or email [hi@alpacalabs.co](mailto:hi@alpacalabs.co).

Next doc

[Deploying Architecture Studio on Eve →](/docs/deploying-architecture-studio-on-eve)

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