# How to Install Archify for Cursor, Codex, Claude-Code, and Raven: Complete Guide

> Install Archify easily using a single npx command for Cursor, Codex, Claude-Code, or OpenCode. This guide covers manual ZIP extraction for Raven too. Get started now.

- Repository: [tt-a1i/archify](https://github.com/tt-a1i/archify)
- Tags: how-to-guide
- Published: 2026-08-11

---

**Install Archify with a single `npx` command for Cursor, Codex, Claude-Code, or OpenCode, or manually extract the ZIP for Raven—no `npm install` needed.**

Archify is a **Skill** distributed as a self-contained ZIP package that adds architecture diagram generation to AI agents. According to the `tt-a1i/archify` source code, the install process varies slightly by agent: Cursor, Codex, Claude-Code, and OpenCode support automated one-command installation, while Raven requires manual extraction.

## Global One-Command Installation

The fastest way to install Archify uses the `skills add` CLI with the `--global` flag. This registers the skill system-wide and copies the install command to your clipboard.

```bash
npx -y skills add tt-a1i/archify --skill archify --agent cursor --global --copy --yes

```

**Supported `--agent` values:** `cursor`, `codex`, `claude-code`, `opencode`

The command pulls the latest `archify.zip` from the repository root, registers it in the selected agent's skill store, and places the generated installation snippet on your clipboard [\[source\]](https://github.com/tt-a1i/archify/blob/main/README.md#L106).

## Project-Local Installation

To keep Archify isolated to a single project, omit the `--global` flag:

```bash
cd my-project
npx -y skills add tt-a1i/archify --skill archify --agent cursor --copy --yes

```

This creates a local skill registration without modifying global agent configuration. Useful for teams maintaining different Archify versions across repositories.

## Manual Installation for Raven

Raven does not support the `skills add` command flow. Install Archify manually:

1. Download `archify.zip` from the repository (located at repository root)
2. Extract to Raven's skills directory:

```bash
mkdir -p ~/.raven/workspace/skills
unzip -q archify.zip -d ~/.raven/workspace/skills

# Result: ~/.raven/workspace/skills/archify

```

The manual step is required because Raven cannot execute the skills CLI [\[source\]](https://github.com/tt-a1i/archify/blob/main/README.md#L115).

## What the Installation Actually Does

### Packaging

The [`scripts/build-zip.sh`](https://github.com/tt-a1i/archify/blob/main/scripts/build-zip.sh) script bundles Archify into `archify.zip` containing:
- Full `archify/` source tree (renderers, validators, schema)
- [`package.json`](https://github.com/tt-a1i/archify/blob/main/package.json) and lockfile
- Minimal runtime requiring **Node ≥ 18** [\[source\]](https://github.com/tt-a1i/archify/blob/main/CHANGELOG.md#L201)

### Runtime Registration

The `skills add` CLI registers the ZIP as a **Skill** in the agent's skill store. This makes Archify's renderers, validators, and schema available at runtime without additional package installation.

### Agent-Aware Command Generation

The front-end in [`scripts/start-template.html`](https://github.com/tt-a1i/archify/blob/main/scripts/start-template.html) dynamically builds the exact install command for your selected agent, ensuring the correct `--agent` flag is populated [\[source\]](https://github.com/tt-a1i/archify/blob/main/scripts/start-template.html#L251).

Because the skill is **self-contained**, no `npm install` step runs after ZIP placement.

## Installation Command Reference

| Goal | Command |
|------|---------|
| Global Cursor install | `npx -y skills add tt-a1i/archify --skill archify --agent cursor --global --copy --yes` |
| Global Codex install | `npx -y skills add tt-a1i/archify --skill archify --agent codex --global --copy --yes` |
| Global Claude-Code install | `npx -y skills add tt-a1i/archify --skill archify --agent claude-code --global --copy --yes` |
| Global OpenCode install | `npx -y skills add tt-a1i/archify --skill archify --agent opencode --global --copy --yes` |
| Project-local install | Same commands without `--global` |
| Raven manual install | `curl` + `unzip` to `~/.raven/workspace/skills` |

## Verify Your Installation

List installed skills to confirm registration:

```bash

# Example for Cursor

npx skills list --agent cursor

# Expected output includes: archify

```

## Using Archify After Installation

Once installed, reference Archify in any prompt:

```text
Generate an architecture diagram for a microservice that ingests Kafka events, processes them with Flink, and persists to S3.

```

The agent invokes Archify's installed renderers to produce the diagram.

## Key Source Files

| File | Purpose |
|------|---------|
| [`README.md`](https://github.com/tt-a1i/archify/blob/main/README.md) | User-facing installation documentation [\[link\]](https://github.com/tt-a1i/archify/blob/main/README.md) |
| [`scripts/build-zip.sh`](https://github.com/tt-a1i/archify/blob/main/scripts/build-zip.sh) | Creates `archify.zip` for all distribution methods [\[link\]](https://github.com/tt-a1i/archify/blob/main/scripts/build-zip.sh) |
| `archify/` | Core skill implementation: renderers, validators, runtime [\[link\]](https://github.com/tt-a1i/archify/tree/main/archify) |
| [`package.json`](https://github.com/tt-a1i/archify/blob/main/package.json) | Node version requirement and skill metadata [\[link\]](https://github.com/tt-a1i/archify/blob/main/package.json) |
| [`scripts/start-template.html`](https://github.com/tt-a1i/archify/blob/main/scripts/start-template.html) | Generates agent-specific install commands on the website [\[link\]](https://github.com/tt-a1i/archify/blob/main/scripts/start-template.html) |
| `archify/test/` | Validates ZIP freshness and installation flow [\[link\]](https://github.com/tt-a1i/archify/tree/main/archify/test) |

## Summary

- **Fastest install:** `npx -y skills add tt-a1i/archify --skill archify --agent cursor --global --copy --yes`
- **Supported agents:** Cursor, Codex, Claude-Code, OpenCode (automated); Raven (manual ZIP)
- **Requirements:** Node ≥ 18 for runtime; no separate `npm install` needed
- **Packaging:** [`scripts/build-zip.sh`](https://github.com/tt-a1i/archify/blob/main/scripts/build-zip.sh) produces self-contained `archify.zip`
- **Verification:** `npx skills list --agent <name>` confirms successful registration

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Does Archify require Node.js to be installed?

Yes. The skill runtime requires **Node ≥ 18**, declared in [`package.json`](https://github.com/tt-a1i/archify/blob/main/package.json). The `npx` install commands handle this automatically if Node is present; the ZIP bundle itself contains no native dependencies beyond Node [\[source\]](https://github.com/tt-a1i/archify/blob/main/CHANGELOG.md#L201).

### Can I install Archify for multiple agents on the same machine?

Yes. Run the global install command once per agent with different `--agent` values. Each maintains separate skill stores—installing for Cursor does not affect your Codex or Claude-Code configuration.

### Why does Raven need manual installation while other agents don't?

Raven does not implement the `skills add` CLI protocol used by Cursor, Codex, Claude-Code, and OpenCode. The repository provides `archify.zip` at the root for direct download, and you extract it to `~/.raven/workspace/skills` yourself [\[source\]](https://github.com/tt-a1i/archify/blob/main/README.md#L115).

### How do I update Archify after installation?

Re-run the same install command. The `skills add` CLI pulls the latest `archify.zip` from the repository and replaces the previous registration. For Raven, repeat the manual download and extraction steps.