> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.stratta.ch/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Quickstart

> From zero to your first cited answer in under 5 minutes.

This guide gets you from nothing to a working setup where Claude answers questions about
Swiss norms with exact citations. You'll need [Claude Code](https://claude.com/claude-code)
or [Claude Desktop](https://claude.ai/download) installed, and [Node.js](https://nodejs.org)
version 20 or newer.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create a free Stratta account">
    Go to [stratta.ch](https://stratta.ch/sign-up) and sign up with email/password (or Google).
    Verify your email when prompted.

    A personal workspace is created automatically — this is where your norms and API keys live.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Generate an API key">
    Open [stratta.ch/api-keys](https://stratta.ch/api-keys), click **Create API key**, give it a
    memorable name, and copy the key.

    <Warning>
      The key (it starts with `sk_strt_`) is shown **once**. Copy it now and keep it secret — it
      grants access to your workspace. You can revoke it anytime from the same page.
    </Warning>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add the Stratta MCP server to Claude">
    In **Claude Code**, run:

    ```bash theme={null}
    claude mcp add stratta -- npx -y @stratta/mcp
    ```

    No key is needed up front. On the first call, Claude Code prompts you to paste your API key;
    it's validated and saved to `~/.stratta/config.json`, so you only do this once.

    Using **Claude Desktop** instead? See [Install in Claude Desktop](/en/guides/install-claude-desktop).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Ask your first question">
    Start a conversation in Claude and try:

    ```text theme={null}
    Using SIA 261, what are the variable loads for an office floor,
    and how do I combine them at ULS? Cite the exact sections.
    ```

    Claude calls the Stratta tools, navigates the norm, and answers with citations like
    `[SIA 261, 8.2, p. 44]`.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Check>
  If the answer includes a section path and page number you can find in the printed norm, you're
  set up correctly.
</Check>

## What just happened

Claude used the **Stratta MCP server** — a small program that exposes your norms to Claude as a
set of tools. When you asked a question, Claude:

1. Listed the norms available in your workspace.
2. Opened the table of contents and drilled into the relevant chapter.
3. Read the section content and followed cross-references to other norms.
4. Answered with a citation pointing to a section it actually opened.

Read [How it works](/en/how-it-works) for the full picture.

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Ask better questions" icon="comments" href="/en/guides/ask-your-first-question">
    Prompt patterns that get the most out of Stratta.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Add your own norm" icon="file-arrow-up" href="/en/guides/ingest-a-norm">
    Ingest a norm you're licensed for into your workspace.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Invite your team" icon="users" href="/en/guides/manage-organization">
    Share a workspace and its norms with colleagues.
  </Card>

  <Card title="MCP Reference" icon="terminal" href="/en/mcp/overview">
    Every tool, parameter, and command.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>