> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://calcs.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Lateral Load Linking
> Overview of the lateral load path workflow, from wind pressure through the diaphragm into the shear wall.
In these videos, we walk you through building a **fully connected lateral load path** for your projects. You'll trace lateral loads from the initial wind pressure through the diaphragm and all the way into your final shear wall design.
These videos use a San Francisco–based project to demonstrate a four-part workflow showing how **load linking** keeps your design consistent and code compliant.
**Why link loads?** Instead of manually copying values between wind, diaphragm, and shear wall calculators, link them. When you change wind speed or building geometry in one place, all linked calculations update automatically, keeping your design consistent and compliant.
This overview introduces the lateral load path workflow: tracing loads from wind pressure through the diaphragm and into your shear wall design.
## In this section
Configure project defaults, set up a wind load calculator with the envelope procedure, and prepare to link to diaphragms.
Link wind loads into a diaphragm calculator and set the tributary height.
Link diaphragm shear into a shear wall calculator and size sheathing, studs and hold-downs.