---
title: "Quick Start"
description: "Get up and running with Arc"
---

<Warning>
  Arc is in private research preview. Contact [bryan@qlty.sh](mailto:bryan@qlty.sh) if you're interested in trying it.
</Warning>

<Note>
Arc has two modes:

- **Standalone mode** — Run workflows directly from the CLI. This is what the quick start covers below.
- **Server mode** — A REST API server with a web frontend for launching and managing workflow runs. See [Server Deployment](/administration/deploy-server) for details.
</Note>

## Prerequisites

- [Rust](https://rustup.rs/) (latest stable)
- At least one LLM API key (e.g. `ANTHROPIC_API_KEY`, `OPENAI_API_KEY`, or `GEMINI_API_KEY`)

## Clone and build

```bash
git clone https://github.com/qltysh/arc.git
cd arc
cargo build --release
```

## Configure API keys

Copy the example environment file and fill in your API keys:

```bash
cp .env.example .env
```

Edit `.env` and add at least one LLM provider key:

```bash
ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=sk-ant-...
OPENAI_API_KEY=sk-...
GEMINI_API_KEY=AI...
```

<Note>
You only need one provider key to get started. Add more to enable multi-model workflows.
</Note>

## Run the setup wizard

The interactive setup wizard validates your environment and walks you through configuration:

```bash
./target/release/arc setup
```

## Verify your installation

```bash
./target/release/arc doctor --live
```

This checks that your API keys, tools, and environment are working correctly.

## Run a workflow from the CLI

Try the hello world workflow:

```bash
./target/release/arc run docs-internal/demo/01-hello.dot
```

Or a multi-step plan-approve-implement workflow with a human approval gate:

```bash
./target/release/arc run docs-internal/demo/10-plan-implement.dot
```

## Next steps

<Columns cols={2}>
  <Card title="Why Arc?" icon="lightbulb" href="/getting-started/why-arc">
    Understand the problems Arc solves.
  </Card>
  <Card title="Workflows" icon="diagram-project" href="/core-concepts/workflows">
    Learn how to define workflow graphs in DOT.
  </Card>
</Columns>