Cairn Documentation

What systems can I model with Cairn?

Any engineered system with decomposable structure — vehicles, robots, satellites, consumer electronics, industrial equipment, IoT devices. Cairn is optimized for hardware-software products where bits and atoms intersect.

Is Cairn a replacement for CAD?

No. Cairn models system architecture — what the pieces are, how they connect, what they must do. CAD models geometry. They're complementary.

How does Cairn compare to Cameo, DOORS, or Rhapsody?

Those are enterprise MBSE tools with steep learning curves, high costs, and complex deployment. Cairn is lighter weight, AI-native, and runs in your browser. It's designed for individual engineers and small teams.

Does AI see my entire model?

No. AI requests include only the context needed for that specific operation — typically the selected node, its immediate family, and relevant nearby entities. The full model stays local.

Is my data used to train AI models?

No. Requests to Anthropic's API are not used for training. Your model data is processed to generate responses, then discarded.

Can I use Cairn offline?

You can view and manually edit your model offline. AI features require network access. Cairn is "local-data, cloud-compute."

How do I collaborate with teammates?

Export a project file and share it. The recipient imports it into their Cairn instance. Real-time collaboration is on the roadmap.

Can I undo AI changes?

Yes. All AI outputs go through the ChangeSet review flow. You see proposed changes before they apply. Reject what you don't want.

What if the AI suggests something wrong?

Reject it. The ChangeSet pattern exists precisely for this — AI proposes, you decide. Wrong suggestions are normal. Review everything.

How do I export for documentation or reviews?

Each lens has export options. The Export tool creates full project snapshots. For formal documentation, export the pieces you need and assemble in your preferred tool.