# Getting Started

## Installation & Setup

Get up and running with Stud in under five minutes.

## Prerequisites

- **Node.js 18+** — Stud requires a modern Node.js runtime
- **Roblox Studio** — For Roblox integration features (optional for general coding)
- **An API key** — From your preferred LLM provider

## Install Stud

Clone the repository and install dependencies:

```bash
git clone https://github.com/stud-ai/stud.git
cd stud
bun install
```

## Configure your API key

Set your API key as an environment variable:

```bash
export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY="your-api-key-here"
```

### Keep your API key secure

Add your API key to your shell profile (`.bashrc` or `.zshrc`) so it persists across sessions. Never commit API keys to version control.

## Install the Roblox Studio plugin

To use Roblox integration features, install the companion plugin:

```bash
# The plugin file is included in the repo
# Copy it to your Roblox Studio plugins folder:

cp plugins/stud-plugin.rbxm ~/Documents/Roblox/Plugins/
```

After copying, restart Roblox Studio. You should see the Stud plugin appear in the Plugins tab. Enable **HTTP Requests** in Game Settings → Security for the plugin to communicate with Stud.

## Launch Stud

Start Stud in your project directory:

```bash
bun run start
```

## Your first prompt

Once Stud is running, try a simple prompt to explore your codebase:

> Read my project structure and summarize what each file does

✱ Glob "**/*" 23 files

→ Read src/server/init.lua 142 lines

→ Read src/client/PlayerGui.lua 89 lines

~ Reading remaining files...

### Next Steps

[Tools Reference → Learn about all available tools](/content/docs/tools/index.html)  
[Roblox Integration → Set up Roblox Studio tools](/content/docs/roblox/index.html)