> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.aliengh.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Installation

> Install Alien on macOS or Windows, update it, remove it, or install it by hand.

## What you need

* **Rhino 8** with Grasshopper, on macOS or Windows.
* **An OpenRouter account** for describing components and for the AI components (3D objects, textures, figures, trees). Everything else works without one, and the panel's Help walks you through it. Or run a local model with Ollama.
* **An internet connection** for the site map and the AI components.
* **Windows only:** Rhino must run on .NET Core, which is Rhino 8's default. Type `SetDotNetRuntime` in Rhino's command line to check. If it says `NETFramework`, choose `NETCore` and restart Rhino.

<Warning>
  This is an early build. **0.02-alpha** is built and tested on Rhino 8 for macOS. The Windows installer and plugin are built the same way but haven't been run on a Windows PC yet, so Windows testers are especially welcome. When something breaks, reply to your beta email with what you did and what you saw.
</Warning>

## Get the installer

Sign up at [aliengh.com](https://aliengh.com/#waitlist) and we'll email you the download link. The beta page has:

| Download | For |
| - | - |
| `Alien-0.02-alpha.pkg` | macOS |
| `Alien-0.02-alpha-Setup.exe` | Windows |
| `Alien-0.02-alpha.zip` | Installing by hand (`Alien.gha` and install scripts) |
| `Alien-0.02-alpha.sha256` | Checksums, to check your download |

One `Alien.gha` serves both platforms.

## Install

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="macOS">
    <Steps>
      <Step title="Quit Rhino">
        Press **Cmd+Q**. Closing its windows isn't enough; check the Dock.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Open the package">
        Double-click `Alien-0.02-alpha.pkg`.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Allow it once">
        The package isn't signed yet, so macOS may say it can't verify the developer. Open **System Settings › Privacy & Security**, scroll to the message about `Alien-0.02-alpha.pkg` and click **Open Anyway**. On older macOS, right-click the package, choose **Open**, then **Open**.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Install">
        Click through **Continue** and **Install**. It installs for your user only and needs no password. If Rhino is still open, it asks you to quit it first.
      </Step>
    </Steps>

    Alien goes into Grasshopper's Libraries folder:
    `~/Library/Application Support/McNeel/Rhinoceros/8.0/Plug-ins/Grasshopper (b45a29b1-…)/Libraries`
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Windows">
    <Steps>
      <Step title="Close Rhino">
        The installer waits for Rhino to close, and asks you to retry if it's still running.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Run the installer">
        Double-click `Alien-0.02-alpha-Setup.exe`.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Allow it once">
        The installer isn't signed yet, so Windows may show **Windows protected your PC**. Click **More info**, then **Run anyway**.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Follow the steps">
        * **Welcome:** it installs for your Windows account only. No administrator rights are needed.
        * **Connect OpenRouter (optional):** paste your OpenRouter API key, or leave it empty and link it later from the panel's Help.
        * **Finish:** tick **Start Rhino 8 with Grasshopper** to open Rhino ready to go.
      </Step>
    </Steps>

    The installer copies `Alien.gha` into `%APPDATA%\Grasshopper\Libraries`, creates `Documents\Alien scripts`, writes `%APPDATA%\Alien\settings.json` (with your key if you gave one, keeping any settings already there), and adds **Alien for Grasshopper** to **Settings › Apps**.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## First run

1. Start Rhino and type `Grasshopper`.
2. Place an **Alien** component from the **Alien** tab, under **Script**.
3. Click **PANEL** on it, or double-click it. The panel sits beside the Grasshopper window and moves with it.
4. The first time, the panel opens on **Help**. Follow **Connect OpenRouter** to link your key.

Your components are kept in `Documents/Alien scripts`. To use another folder, right-click a component › **Script repository**.

Then carry on with [Get started](/quickstart).

## Update

Quit Rhino and run the installer for the new version. It replaces `Alien.gha` and keeps your scripts, settings and generated library. Ready-made components you haven't edited are updated the next time the panel opens; any you edited or deleted are left alone.

## Uninstall

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="macOS">
    Quit Rhino and delete `Alien.gha` from Grasshopper's Libraries folder (in Grasshopper: **File › Special Folders › Components Folder**). You can also delete `~/Library/Application Support/Alien`. Your scripts folder is yours to keep or delete.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Windows">
    Close Rhino, then go to **Settings › Apps › Alien for Grasshopper › Uninstall**. It asks whether to remove your settings too. Your scripts are always kept.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Install by hand

The zip has `Alien.gha` and two install scripts, for machines where the installers can't run.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="macOS">
    Copy `Alien.gha` into the Libraries folder above, then clear the download quarantine:

    ```bash theme={null}
    xattr -d com.apple.quarantine "<that folder>/Alien.gha"
    ```

    Or run `install-mac.command`, which does both.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Windows">
    Right-click the zip › **Properties**, tick **Unblock**, click **OK**, and extract it. Copy `Alien.gha` to `%APPDATA%\Grasshopper\Libraries`, or run `install-windows.bat`.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

Something not working? See [Troubleshooting](/guides/troubleshooting).


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