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

# Connecting ETABS & SAP2000

> Let the Stru AI agents build and analyze models in the SAP2000 and ETABS installed on your machine

## How the Connection Works

Once you're signed in, the desktop app runs a local **Client** that bridges your conversations to the SAP2000 and ETABS installed on your machine. The agent sends modeling commands; the software executes them live on your screen.

The **Client** pill in the header shows the connection at a glance:

| Status           | What it means                                                   |
| ---------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Gray dot**     | Client isn't running yet                                        |
| **Pulsing gray** | Downloading or starting (normal for a few seconds after launch) |
| **Green dot**    | Connected and ready to drive SAP2000/ETABS                      |
| **Error**        | Something failed. Restart the client from this menu.            |

Click the pill for **Start client**, **Stop client**, and **Restart client**. The client starts on its own shortly after you sign in. You rarely need to touch it.

<Info>
  The web app's ETABS and SAP2000 agents use this same connection. To run those agents from [app.stru.ai](https://app.stru.ai), keep the desktop app open and signed in on the machine where the software is installed.
</Info>

## Start a Modeling Session

<Steps>
  <Step title="Pick your agent">
    Choose **SAP2000 Agent** or **ETABS Agent** from the agent picker in the header. The choice locks once the conversation starts. Start a new chat to switch.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose a working folder (optional)">
    The **working folder** pill on the composer decides where model files live: **This chat only** keeps everything in the conversation's own sandbox, or pick a shared project folder so multiple conversations can work on the same files.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Describe the model">
    Prompt the agent the same way you would on the web: geometry, sections, materials, load cases. See [Writing Effective Prompts](/platform-guides/etabs-sap2000-agents#writing-effective-prompts) for what works best.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Watch it work">
    SAP2000/ETABS opens and builds on your screen while the chat shows live progress: the status bar, a step-by-step plan that ticks off as the agent works, and a lane badge (**SAP busy**, **SAP ready**, or the ETABS equivalent) showing the live software connection.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Accordion title="The agent paused at its step limit">
  Long builds can hit the per-turn step limit. The status bar shows **Agent paused** with a **Resume** link. Click it to continue right where it left off. You can raise the limit under **Settings → Agents → Agent step limit**.
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Which software versions does it use?">
  The app auto-detects SAP2000, ETABS, and Mathcad installed in their default locations and uses the newest version it finds. If you have several versions installed, pick the one you want under **Settings → SAP2000 / ETABS**. Each tab shows its detected-versions list with a refresh action.
</Accordion>

## Good to Know

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Closing the app mid-run">
    If SAP2000/ETABS is running under Stru's control when you quit (or install an update), the app asks for confirmation, because continuing closes that software session too. Save your model first if it matters.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Pre-warming the connection">
    **Settings → General → Pre-warm SAP2000 and ETABS on app launch** starts the software connection as soon as the app opens, so your first prompt doesn't wait on startup.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Internet is required">
    The desktop app connects to Stru AI each time it starts and during agent runs. If the connection drops, the app shows a reconnect screen and resumes automatically. You're never signed out for being offline.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="ETABS & SAP2000 Agents guide" icon="building" href="/platform-guides/etabs-sap2000-agents">
    Prompting patterns, use cases, and troubleshooting for the agents themselves.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Settings & Troubleshooting" icon="sliders" href="/desktop-app/settings-and-troubleshooting">
    Fix detection issues, update problems, and more.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Info>
  **Questions?** Email **[support@stru.ai](mailto:support@stru.ai)** or [book a call](https://cal.com/bhosh).
</Info>