> 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-self-hosted/overview.md).

# Overview

Run AI Architect entirely inside your own infrastructure. Your source code, indexed knowledge graph, and credentials never leave your environment.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Prefer zero infrastructure?** [Bito-hosted AI Architect](/ai-architect/installation/install-ai-architect-bito-hosted.md) runs in Bito's cloud with a 3-step setup. Self-hosted is designed for teams that must keep code and data within their own network.
{% endhint %}

## Choose your deployment mode

Choose based on **who uses it** and **where it runs**.

<table data-search="false"><thead><tr><th></th><th>Standalone</th><th>Enterprise</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Designed for</strong></td><td>One person, evaluation or personal use</td><td>A team sharing one deployment</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Runs on</strong></td><td>Your workstation</td><td>A shared server or cluster</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Infrastructure</strong></td><td>Docker only</td><td>Docker Compose <em>or</em> Kubernetes</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Knowledge graph</strong></td><td>Local to your machine</td><td>Shared across the team</td></tr><tr><td><strong>MCP access</strong></td><td><code>https://localhost:5001</code></td><td>Your host or domain, behind a proxy or ingress</td></tr><tr><td><strong>AI coding agent setup</strong></td><td>Registered automatically</td><td>Configured per user</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Authentication</strong></td><td>Bearer token</td><td>Bearer, Bito Auth, or Enterprise IdP</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Installation</strong></td><td>One command (<code>curl | bash</code>)</td><td>One command (<code>curl | bash</code>)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Setup time</strong></td><td>5 to 10 minutes</td><td>15 to 30 minutes</td></tr></tbody></table>

{% hint style="info" %}
**Not sure?** Start with **Standalone** to evaluate on your workstation, then move to **Enterprise** when you are ready to share it with your team. Both modes run the same platform. Note that switching modes re-indexes your repositories from scratch, so keep the repository count small while evaluating.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
**Plans:** Teams of up to five members can use self-hosted AI Architect for free with their own LLM API keys. Larger teams require the Bito Enterprise Plan, which includes bundled LLM tokens. Powering the Bito AI Code Review Agent with AI Architect also requires the Enterprise Plan, regardless of team size. Contact [**support@bito.ai**](mailto:support@bito.ai) to get started.
{% endhint %}

## How it works

<figure><img src="https://2860197046-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FYgNBTrPKG0DuVdAyDvSa%2Fuploads%2FoxJIUdTzSDJSuY4SsAJR%2FScreenshot%202026-08-04%20170527.png?alt=media&amp;token=cfb0d373-4a49-4466-a3ad-f61834712b98" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Both modes index your repositories into a knowledge graph and serve it over an **MCP endpoint** that your AI coding agents (Claude Code, Cursor, Windsurf, VS Code, JetBrains) query for cross-repository context. AI Architect reaches out only to Bito for licensing and to your LLM provider for inference.

## Get started

<table data-card-size="large" data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><mark style="color:$primary;"><strong>▶ Standalone deployment</strong></mark></td><td>One person, on your workstation, ready in minutes.</td><td><a href="/ai-architect/installation/install-ai-architect-self-hosted/standalone-mode-for-individuals.md">Standalone mode (for individuals)</a></td></tr><tr><td><mark style="color:$primary;"><strong>▶ Enterprise deployment</strong></mark></td><td>A shared deployment for your team, on Docker or Kubernetes.</td><td><a href="/ai-architect/installation/install-ai-architect-self-hosted/enterprise-deployment.md">Enterprise deployment</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

Before you begin, review [Prerequisites & requirements](/ai-architect/installation/install-ai-architect-self-hosted/prerequisites-and-requirements.md) for the accounts, tokens, hardware, and network access you will need.


---

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