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Getting Started

Runchat for Archicad integrates the full Runchat web app directly into Archicad through a dockable palette. Capture viewport screenshots as inputs to AI workflows and run Python scripts that read and analyze your model — without leaving Archicad.

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Install the Add-On

Requires Archicad 29 on Windows.

Download Runchat for Archicad

Add-On for Archicad 29 (Windows)
1

Add in Archicad

Open Archicad → Options → Add-On Manager → Edit List of Available Add-Ons → Add and select the downloaded Runchat.apx file.
2

Enable

Make sure the checkbox next to Runchat is ticked, then click OK.
3

Restart Archicad

Restart Archicad so it can build the Runchat menu. The Runchat menu only appears after a restart.
4

Open the palette

Choose Runchat → Runchat Palette. Log in with your Runchat account and you’re ready to go.

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Bridge capabilities

The palette runs the full Runchat web app and communicates with Archicad through a local bridge.
  • Viewport capture: Send the active Archicad window (plan, section, or 3D) as an image input to AI workflows, or let the agent take screenshots to verify its work.
  • Python scripts: Code nodes set to ArchiCAD Python run against your live model through the official Archicad JSON API — list and filter elements, read properties, classifications, stories, and bounding boxes, and feed results into workflows.

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Running scripts

Scripts use the official archicad Python package and run in a local Python process. One-time setup:
1

Install Python 3

Install Python 3 from python.org if you don’t already have it (tick “Add python.exe to PATH” in the installer).
2

Install the archicad package

In a terminal, run: pip install archicad
3

Enable the JSON connection

In Archicad, make sure the JSON/Python interface is enabled so scripts can connect (Options → Work Environment).
Scripts get a live connection preloaded — conn, acc (commands), act (types), and acu (utilities) — and anything you print() becomes the node output.
The official Archicad JSON API is read and analysis focused: scripts can query elements, properties, and project structure, but cannot create geometry. Extended commands are on the roadmap.

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Updates

The palette checks for updates automatically when it loads. If a newer version is available, you’ll see a banner at the top of the panel with a download link. Install the new .apx over the old one via the Add-On Manager.

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Troubleshooting

Restart Archicad after adding the add-on — the Runchat menu only shows up once Archicad rebuilds its menus on the next launch. If it’s still missing, check the add-on is enabled in Options → Add-On Manager and that you downloaded the version matching your Archicad version (currently Archicad 29, Windows).
Install Python 3 and make sure python.exe is on your PATH, or set the RUNCHAT_PYTHON environment variable to the full path of a python.exe.
Run pip install archicad in a terminal using the same Python installation the plugin found.
Enable the JSON/Python connection in Archicad’s settings and retry. If you have multiple Archicad instances open, scripts connect to the first one that responds — close extra instances if the wrong project is targeted.
If a third-party sign-in provider refuses to load inside the embedded browser, sign in with your email and password instead.

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