You needA Mac or Windows computer, a paid Claude plan, and the email you used to pay
You finish withMerlin set up for your business, and your construction tools installed
Merlin is a free add-on for Claude that keeps notes on your business and a task list. Merlin for Construction adds the construction tools, starting with the takeoff tool. These seven steps take you from a new Claude account to those tools.
1. Get the Claude app
Sign up for a paid Claude plan, Pro or Max, at claude.ai. The free plan can't run Merlin.
Go to claude.ai/download, download the version for your computer, and install the app.
Open the Claude app and sign in with the same account.
2. Make your business folder
Make a new folder named after your business, for example Acme Framing. Put it in Dropbox, so it is backed up. No Dropbox? Put it in Documents.
Once the folder is made, don't move it or rename it.
In the Claude app, click the Code tab and open your business folder. Keep the Code tab open on it for the rest of this guide.
3. Add Merlin and praxis-connect
ImportantOn Windows, do this firstIn the Code tab, paste Install the prerequisites for Windows: Git and Python 3. and send it. Say yes to every permission Claude asks for. When Claude says the install is done, quit Claude completely and open it again: press Ctrl+Shift+Esc, right-click each Claude line, click End task. On a Mac, skip this.
In the left sidebar of the app, click Customize.
Click the Plugins tab.
Click Add at the top right, then Add marketplace.
Paste the address below and click Sync. If the app asks where to add from, choose Add from repository first.
Next to Merlin, click Add. If the app offers to connect GitHub, skip that. Merlin doesn't need a GitHub account.
Next to praxis-connect, click Add.
https://github.com/marckleinmann/praxis-plugins
Claude app · Customize · Plugins
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Customize, on the Plugins tab, with the Add menu open. Tap the picture to enlarge it.
4. Run Merlin's setup
In the Code tab, still on your business folder, start a new chat.
Type /merlin:setup and press Return (Enter on Windows).
Setup offers the folder you have open as your business folder. Say yes.
Answer the short questions about you and your business, one at a time.
When Claude asks whether it may run one of Merlin's small programs, say yes.
5. Connect this computer to your account
Start a new chat and type: connect this computer
Claude shows a short code and a link. Open the link.
Sign in with the email you used to pay.
Check that the code on the page matches the code in Claude, then press Connect this computer.
Back in Claude, say yes when it asks to add the Praxis entry to your Claude settings.
The code works for 10 minutesIf it runs out, type connect this computer again for a new one.
6. Install your construction tools
Start a new chat and paste the line below. Claude installs your construction tools, starting with the takeoff tool.
install my Praxis plugins
Start one more new chat afterwards, so the tools load.
7. Keep Merlin up to date
Your construction tools update on their own. Merlin doesn't, until you turn on automatic updates. Do this once.
In the Code tab, start a new chat and paste the line below.
Turn on auto-update for the praxis-plugins marketplace in my Claude settings, then update Merlin to the latest version.
Say yes when Claude asks to change your settings. Wait until Claude says auto-update is on and Merlin is up to date.
Start one more new chat. A new Merlin loads in a new chat, not in the chat that's already open.
Add Merlin in one place onlyAdd Merlin in the Claude app only. If you also add Merlin on the Claude website, the app uses the website's copy, and that copy never updates.
Check it worked
What do you know about my business?
Claude answers from what you told setup. Then open Customize, then Plugins: Merlin, praxis-connect and takeoff should be in the list.
Stuck on a step?Take a screenshot and email it to support@praxisatwork.com. If you bought setup with us, we can do these steps together on a call.
