Architect Toolbox
Architect Toolbox is the Windows application you download to install and manage Architect Agent. It is not the game server runtime. After setup it stays in the system tray so you can start, stop, update, and repair the Agent service.
This page only relates to Windows. On Linux, install the Agent directly. See Installing an Architect Agent.
What Architect Toolbox is
CFTools Architect is built around Agents and a Manager. Toolbox is the Windows installer and service manager for those components.
- Architect Toolbox is installed on the Windows machine that hosts your game servers. It installs Architect Agent, can install Architect Manager, and keeps Agent status in the system tray.
- Architect Agent is the Windows service that runs on the game server host. It starts servers, updates files, collects logs, and reports metrics.
- Architect Manager is the desktop console you use to connect to Agents, deploy game servers, and manage them.
Download Toolbox from the Architect install page.
When to use it
Use Toolbox on Windows when you want a guided Agent install and ongoing service control from the tray.
- Windows 10 (1803 or later), Windows 11, Windows Server 2019, and Windows Server 2022 are supported
- Administrator privileges are required to install, repair, or uninstall the Agent
- Toolbox uses the Windows WebView2 runtime. On Windows 10 it is installed automatically if it is missing
- Check system requirements before you install. Game servers need their own resources on top of the Agent
Linux has no Toolbox. Use the Agent installer for Linux instead.
What it installs and manages
When you install Architect Agent through Toolbox, it sets up:
- The Architect Agent Windows service
- `config.toml` in the Agent installation directory
- Windows Firewall rules for the Agent port (8090 by default)
- A Programs & Features entry
Downloaded Agent binaries are integrity-checked before they are installed.
From the Toolbox dashboard you can:
- See Agent and Manager status (Running, Stopped, Not installed, or Needs reconfigure)
- Start, stop, and restart the Agent service
- Launch or quit Architect Manager
- Install Architect Agent or Architect Manager
- Apply an Agent update when one is available
- Repair or reconfigure the Agent service
- Open the Agent installation directory
- Uninstall the Agent (data files are kept)
First-time setup
Download `ArchitectToolbox.exe` from the Architect install page and run it on the Windows machine that hosts your game servers.
Choose your region so Toolbox uses the closest download servers. Global is the default. Choose Russia only if you need the Russia download path. You can change this later.
Choose Install Toolbox (recommended). This installs Toolbox into the system tray so you can manage Architect afterwards.
Quick Install installs Architect Agent or Architect Manager on its own, without leaving Toolbox installed.
During Toolbox setup you can:
- Create a Start Menu shortcut
- Install for the current Windows account, or for all users on the computer (requires administrator approval)
Open Toolbox from the system tray and install Architect Agent. The wizard asks for:
- Your Architect Agent license key
- Installation directory (default `C:\Program Files\CFTools Software GmbH\Architect\Agent`)
- Whether the Agent service should auto-start with Windows
- The `deployments` folder for game server files. It must be named `deployments` and must not be the Agent install directory
- Optional interactive processes, if you need game server windows on a logged-in desktop session
After a successful Agent install, the service listens at `https://localhost:8090\`. The `root` password is shown in Toolbox and saved as `root.txt` in the Agent installation directory.
Install Architect Manager (from Toolbox or from the install page) and connect it to the Agent. See Getting started.
Some hosting providers need extra system settings. Review Hosting providers if your provider is listed. Toolbox creates local Windows Firewall rules; external firewalls still need the rules in Agent firewall entries.
Using the tray dashboard
After Toolbox is installed it runs from the system tray. Click the tray icon to open the dashboard.
- Start / Stop / Restart control the Agent Windows service
- Update appears when a newer Agent version is available
- Repair re-downloads the Agent and reapplies service settings
- Reconfigure service repairs a damaged Programs & Features registration without a full reinstall
- Uninstall removes the Agent service, firewall rules, and registry entries. Data files are kept
- Open Directory opens the Agent installation folder in Explorer
Uninstalling Toolbox does not remove Architect Agent or Architect Manager.
Toolbox settings
Open Toolbox settings from the dashboard.
- Check / Update now keeps Toolbox itself up to date
- Repair Toolbox verifies the Toolbox installation
- Uninstall Toolbox removes Toolbox only. Installed services stay on the machine
Unattended Agent install
Advanced topic
You can install, repair, modify, or uninstall Architect Agent without the GUI. Run `ArchitectToolbox.exe` from an elevated command prompt.
ArchitectToolbox.exe /S /LICENSE=Y... [/DIR=C:\...] [/AUTOSTART=yes] [/LOG=path]
ArchitectToolbox.exe /REPAIR /S
ArchitectToolbox.exe /MODIFY /S /AUTOSTART=yes
ArchitectToolbox.exe /UNINSTALL /S
| Flag | Values | Default |
|---|---|---|
| `/S` | — | Required for silent mode |
| `/LICENSE= | Architect Agent license key | Required for install |
| `/DIR= | Absolute path | `%ProgramFiles%\CFTools Software GmbH\Architect\Agent` |
| `/AUTOSTART=yes|no` | yes / no | yes |
| `/LOG= | File path | A timestamped log under `%TEMP%` |
Silent mode requires administrator privileges. After a silent install, still set any extra values you need in `config.toml` and confirm firewall rules. See Configuration and Agent firewall entries.
| Exit code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 0 | Success |
| 1 | Generic error |
| 2 | Bad arguments |
| 3 | Download failed |
| 4 | Integrity check failed |
| 5 | Service operation failed |
| 6 | Elevation required or failed |