> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.bito.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.bito.ai/ai-architect/installation/install-ai-architect-bito-hosted.md).

# Install AI Architect (Bito-hosted)

Bito-hosted [**AI Architect**](/ai-architect/overview.md) runs on managed infrastructure and unifies your codebase, tickets, design docs, and team conversations into a single [knowledge graph](/ai-architect/knowledge-graph.md).

Your coding agents, issue trackers, and chat tools query that graph so planning, design, coding, review, and incident discussions all share the same system context.

Follow this guide to connect a Git provider, pick repositories for indexing, and wire AI Architect into Claude Code, Cursor, Jira, Linear, Slack, Confluence, and the other tools your team already uses.

## Prerequisites

Bito-hosted AI Architect is currently invitation-only. You can [**start a 14-day free trial**](https://alpha.bito.ai/home/welcome) to get instant access, no credit card required. If you're on a free or paid plan and would like access for your workspace, please contact [**support@bito.ai**](mailto:support@bito.ai).

## Installation steps

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Connect your Git provider

1. [Sign up for Bito Cloud](https://alpha.bito.ai/home/welcome) and create a workspace to get started.
2. You'll land on the Git integration screen, where you can connect your Git provider.
3. Choose between **SaaS** (your Git provider's cloud-hosted version) or **Self-managed** (an instance running behind your network), then select your Git provider: **GitHub**, **GitLab**, **Bitbucket**, or **Azure DevOps**.

<figure><img src="/files/1Pe4GsfPZQ8wCAzKHtTK" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

4. Follow the on-screen instructions to authorize Bito on your Git organization. Grant access to all repositories or a subset.

<figure><img src="/files/lmshWukm15cHiyYc0ZBw" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

4. Once your Git account is successfully connected, you'll be redirected back to Bito, where two product paths show up:

   * **AI Architect** — the system context layer for coding agents, Jira, Linear, Slack, and more.
   * **Code Review Agent** — for pull request reviews

   They share the same knowledge graph.
5. Click **Set up AI Architect** and it'll take you to the AI Architect setup page.

<figure><img src="/files/cldiwwTCQk15qwZg73xL" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="/files/gEefN7azneIY9O3H0dhK" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Set up AI Architect

1. **IMPORTANT:** Before you set up AI Architect, start your 14-day free trial by clicking **Start 14-Day Free Trial** in the left sidebar. No credit card required.

<figure><img src="/files/xxUYAsVKwAeNntxhidqH" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

2. Then click **Set up AI Architect** on the page.

<figure><img src="/files/vLOu5B8jEJIoNmSAexCd" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

3. The repository selection screen loads. Select the repositories you want indexed and click **Index selected repositories**. Bito's indexing pipeline scans each repository and builds the underlying knowledge graph.

<figure><img src="/files/6qwcQtOSUcdcNzeDgppr" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

3. You'll land on the [AI Architect repositories](https://alpha.bito.ai/home/ai-architect/repositories) screen, where you can track indexing progress. Each repository's **Index status** column updates to **Indexed** once it's ready.

<figure><img src="/files/MtMjhYHPuKbZxD1i5rMX" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="/files/IJooYVUcKArzPL6ZgjX4" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

4. You can use the toggle next to each repository to enable or disable indexing. To update multiple repositories at once, select them using the checkboxes and use the bulk enable or disable action. Changes take effect during the next scheduled indexing run.

<figure><img src="/files/yn5xtzzKD0j52ieHPOUi" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Connect AI Architect with your tools

Once your repositories are indexed, you can connect AI Architect to the tools your engineering team already works in, so the same knowledge graph informs coding, planning, design, review, and incident discussions.

Each integration is configured from the [Home screen](https://alpha.bito.ai/home).

#### Coding agents

Connect AI Architect to Cursor, Claude Code, Windsurf, GitHub Copilot, and other coding agents over MCP. Bito provides a quick installer that sets up the connection in a few steps. Once connected, your coding agent grounds its responses in system context from the knowledge graph and produces more accurate results on changes that span multiple files, services, or repositories.

See the [Quick MCP integration guide](/ai-architect/quick-mcp-integration-with-ai-coding-agents.md).

#### Jira and Linear

Tag Bito on a ticket to get feasibility analysis, impact assessment, technical design, or an epic breakdown that reflects the services and repos the change touches, not just the ticket description.

See the setup guides for [Jira](/ai-architect/integrating-ai-architect-with-your-tools/integrating-with-jira.md) and [Linear](/ai-architect/integrating-ai-architect-with-your-tools/integrating-with-linear.md).

#### Slack

Capture tribal knowledge from incident discussions, architecture debates, and undocumented context. Tag Bito inside a channel to query the knowledge graph directly from team conversations.

See the [Slack integration guide](/ai-architect/integrating-ai-architect-with-your-tools/integrating-with-slack.md).

#### Confluence

Index design documents, architecture decisions, and wiki pages into the knowledge graph so AI Architect reasons about new work with the business intent and prior decisions already captured by your team.

See the [Confluence integration guide](/ai-architect/integrating-ai-architect-with-your-tools/integrating-with-confluence.md).

#### Chat agents

Bring AI Architect into Claude.ai, Claude Desktop, and ChatGPT so your engineering system context follows you into general-purpose chat.

See the [chat agents integration guide](/ai-architect/integrating-ai-architect-with-your-tools/integrating-with-chat-agents.md).
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

## Code retrieval at runtime

Bito-hosted AI Architect includes smart code retrieval ([getCode MCP tool](/ai-architect/integrating-ai-architect-with-your-tools/available-mcp-tools.md)) that works behind the scenes. When you ask questions about specific code — like "show me the authenticate method in the Auth class" — AI Architect automatically fetches the relevant code at runtime using your Git credentials.

This means you get detailed, accurate code references without storing any code on Bito's servers. Code is fetched on-demand and never persisted.

## Bito-hosted vs. Self-hosted AI Architect

Bito offers two deployment options for AI Architect:

1. **Bito-hosted** (Fully managed by Bito — no infrastructure setup required)
2. **Self-hosted** (Run AI Architect on your own infrastructure for maximum control)

|                    | Bito-hosted                                                                                                           | Self-hosted                                   |
| ------------------ | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------- |
| **Infrastructure** | Bito manages indexes and infrastructure on our secure servers                                                         | You host AI Architect in your own environment |
| **Code storage**   | We don't store your code after indexing — only repository metadata is retained. Code is fetched at runtime as needed. | Full control over your data and indexes       |
| **Maintenance**    | Fully managed by Bito                                                                                                 | Requires infrastructure setup and maintenance |

For information on self-hosted deployment, visit the [self-hosted installation guide](/ai-architect/installation/install-ai-architect-self-hosted.md).

## Need help?

If you have questions about the setup process or need to modify your indexed repositories, reach out to the Bito team at [**support@bito.ai**](mailto:support@bito.ai). We're here to help you get the most out of AI Architect.


---

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