Cairn Documentation

Getting Started

Cairn turns rough system ideas into structured, inspectable engineering models. Here's how to get started in under two minutes.

1. Describe your system

Open the app and type a plain-language description of your system in the textarea. It can be rough — "an autonomous delivery rover with LIDAR and hub motors" is plenty.

2. AI interview

Click Continue with AI → to start a short interview. The AI asks 3-5 architecture-shaping questions per round (up to 3 rounds). Each answer refines the system description and increases confidence.

3. Build the model

When you're satisfied, click Build →. The AI generates a root system node, 4-7 subsystems with property estimates, key interfaces, and a narrative brief.

4. Explore with lenses

Select any node in the system tree and switch between 12 lenses: Overview, Brief, Visuals, Requirements, Architecture, Causality, Completeness, Narrative, Dendritic, Behavior, Verification, and Operational. Each lens shows the same model from a different perspective.

5. Refine with ⌘K

Press ⌘K to open the command palette. Type natural language requests like "decompose the power subsystem" or "add thermal requirements." The AI produces a ChangeSet you review operation-by-operation before applying.