CAD MCP
Enables controlling CAD software (AutoCAD, GstarCAD, ZWCAD) through natural language instructions, allowing users to create and modify drawings without manually operating the CAD interface.
What is CAD MCP?
CAD MCP is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that allows AI assistants like Claude, Cursor, and VS Code to enables controlling cad software (autocad, gstarcad, zwcad) through natural language instructions, allowing users to create and modify drawings without manually operating the cad interface.
Enables controlling CAD software (AutoCAD, GstarCAD, ZWCAD) through natural language instructions, allowing users to create and modify drawings without manually operating the CAD interface.
This server falls under the Browser Automation category on MCPgee, the world's largest MCP server directory with 33,000+ servers.
Features
- Enables controlling CAD software (AutoCAD, GstarCAD, ZWCAD)
Use Cases
Maintainer
Works with
Installation
Manual Installation
npx cad-mcp-serverConfiguration
Configuration Details
claude_desktop_config.json
Performance
Response Metrics
Resource Usage
How to Set Up and Use CAD MCP
CAD-MCP is a Python-based MCP server that bridges AI language models with professional CAD software — AutoCAD, GstarCAD, and ZWCAD — running on Windows. It exposes drawing primitives and layer management as MCP tools, enabling users to create and modify technical drawings through natural language instructions without manually operating the CAD interface. Engineers and architects can describe geometry, dimensions, and layers in plain language and have the CAD software execute those changes in real time.
Prerequisites
- Windows operating system with AutoCAD, GstarCAD, or ZWCAD installed and licensed
- Python 3.8+ installed on Windows
- Python packages: pywin32>=228, mcp>=0.1.0, pydantic>=2.0.0
- An MCP-compatible client such as Claude Desktop
- Basic familiarity with CAD coordinate systems and layer concepts
Clone the repository
Clone the CAD-MCP repository to your local Windows machine.
git clone https://github.com/daobataotie/CAD-MCP.git && cd CAD-MCPInstall Python dependencies
Install the required Python packages. pywin32 is essential for communicating with the CAD software via COM automation on Windows.
pip install pywin32>=228 mcp>=0.1.0 pydantic>=2.0.0Configure CAD type and settings
Edit `src/config.json` to select your installed CAD software and adjust startup delays. Set `cad_type` to one of: AutoCAD, GCAD, GstarCAD, or ZWCAD. The `startup_wait` (default 20 seconds) gives the CAD application time to launch before the server sends commands.
{
"cad_type": "AutoCAD",
"startup_wait": 20,
"command_delay": 0.5,
"output_dir": "./output",
"default_filename": "drawing.dwg"
}Add CAD-MCP to Claude Desktop configuration
Edit your Claude Desktop config file to register the CAD-MCP server. Replace the Python path and project path with your actual Windows paths.
{
"mcpServers": {
"cad-mcp": {
"command": "C:\\Python311\\python.exe",
"args": ["C:\\path\\to\\CAD-MCP\\src\\server.py"]
}
}
}Launch your CAD software
Open AutoCAD, GstarCAD, or ZWCAD before or alongside starting the MCP server. The server uses Windows COM automation to communicate with the running CAD application.
Restart Claude Desktop and test
Restart Claude Desktop to load the new MCP server configuration, then start a conversation and ask it to draw something simple to verify the connection.
CAD MCP Examples
Client configuration
Claude Desktop configuration for CAD-MCP on Windows, pointing to the Python interpreter and server script.
{
"mcpServers": {
"cad-mcp": {
"command": "C:\\Python311\\python.exe",
"args": ["C:\\Users\\you\\CAD-MCP\\src\\server.py"]
}
}
}Prompts to try
Once connected, use natural language to control your CAD software. The server exposes tools for lines, circles, arcs, polylines, rectangles, text, hatching, and dimensions.
- "Draw a rectangle 100x50 units starting at coordinate (0, 0)"
- "Add a circle with radius 25 centered at (200, 100)"
- "Draw a line from (0,0) to (150, 75) on layer 'WALLS'"
- "Add a dimension annotation between points (0,0) and (100,0)"
- "Save the drawing to output/floor_plan.dwg"Troubleshooting CAD MCP
Server fails to connect to CAD software with a COM error
Make sure the CAD application is already running and fully loaded before the MCP server starts. Increase `startup_wait` in config.json if the CAD software is slow to initialize. Also verify pywin32 is installed for the same Python interpreter listed in the Claude Desktop config.
Commands execute but nothing appears in the drawing
Check that `cad_type` in config.json exactly matches your installed software (e.g., use 'AutoCAD' not 'Autocad'). Ensure the CAD window is in the foreground and not in a dialog state, since COM automation requires the application to be ready to receive commands.
Python script not found error in Claude Desktop
Use absolute Windows paths with double backslashes in the Claude Desktop config JSON. Verify the path exists by running `python src\server.py` from the CAD-MCP directory in a terminal.
Frequently Asked Questions about CAD MCP
What is CAD MCP?
CAD MCP is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that enables controlling cad software (autocad, gstarcad, zwcad) through natural language instructions, allowing users to create and modify drawings without manually operating the cad interface. It connects AI assistants to external tools and data sources through a standardized interface.
How do I install CAD MCP?
Follow the installation instructions on the CAD MCP GitHub repository. Clone the repo, install dependencies, and add the server config to your AI client.
Which AI clients work with CAD MCP?
CAD MCP works with all major MCP-compatible AI clients including Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code (GitHub Copilot), Windsurf, and Cline.
Is CAD MCP free to use?
Yes, CAD MCP is open source and available under the MIT License license. You can use it freely in both personal and commercial projects.
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Quick Config Preview
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