FreeCAD AI
AI-powered assistant workbench for FreeCAD — generate 3D models from natural language
What is FreeCAD AI?
FreeCAD AI is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that allows AI assistants like Claude, Cursor, and VS Code to ai-powered assistant workbench for freecad — generate 3d models from natural language
AI-powered assistant workbench for FreeCAD — generate 3D models from natural language
This server falls under the Browser Automation category on MCPgee, the world's largest MCP server directory with 33,000+ servers.
Features
- AI-powered assistant workbench for FreeCAD — generate 3D mod
Use Cases
Maintainer
Works with
Installation
Manual Installation
npx freecad-aiConfiguration
Configuration Details
claude_desktop_config.json
Performance
Response Metrics
Resource Usage
How to Set Up and Use FreeCAD AI
FreeCAD AI is an AI-powered assistant workbench for FreeCAD that lets you generate and edit 3D models from natural language descriptions, using 50+ structured CAD tools exposed via MCP. It integrates with Anthropic Claude, OpenAI, Ollama, and 17 other LLM providers, supporting both local and cloud models, and requires zero external Python dependencies. Mechanical engineers, makers, and hobbyists use it to prototype enclosures, parametric parts, and assemblies by describing what they want instead of manually operating FreeCAD's UI.
Prerequisites
- FreeCAD 1.0 or later installed (tested on 1.0.2 and 1.1.0)
- Python 3.x included with FreeCAD (no separate Python install required)
- An LLM provider API key (e.g. ANTHROPIC_API_KEY for Claude) or a local Ollama instance
- Git installed to clone the repository for symlinking into FreeCAD's Mod directory
- An MCP-compatible client is not required — FreeCAD itself acts as the host
Clone the freecad-ai repository
Clone the repository to a permanent location on your machine. Do not delete this directory after setup — the symlink will point to it.
git clone https://github.com/ghbalf/freecad-ai.git
cd freecad-aiSymlink the workbench into FreeCAD's Mod directory
Create a symbolic link so FreeCAD discovers the workbench on startup. Use the command for your operating system.
# macOS
ln -s "$(pwd)" ~/Library/Application\ Support/FreeCAD/Mod/freecad-ai
# Linux
ln -s "$(pwd)" ~/.local/share/FreeCAD/Mod/freecad-ai
# FreeCAD 1.1+ Linux (version-scoped path)
ln -s "$(pwd)" ~/.local/share/FreeCAD/v1.1/Mod/freecad-aiLaunch FreeCAD and open the FreeCAD AI workbench
Start FreeCAD and select 'FreeCAD AI' from the workbench dropdown in the toolbar. A chat panel will appear on the right side of the interface.
Configure your LLM provider
In the FreeCAD AI preferences panel, select your LLM provider (e.g. Anthropic) and enter your API key. Keys can be stored securely using file:// or cmd: prefixes to avoid saving plaintext in config.json.
# Secure key storage examples in config.json:
# macOS Keychain: cmd:security find-generic-password -a anthropic -s freecad-ai -w
# Linux secret-tool: cmd:secret-tool lookup service freecad-ai account anthropic
# From file: file:~/.secrets/anthropic_keyGenerate your first 3D model
Type a natural language description of what you want to create in the chat panel. The AI will invoke the appropriate CAD tools and execute the operations in FreeCAD.
FreeCAD AI Examples
Client configuration
FreeCAD AI runs as a workbench inside FreeCAD rather than as a standalone MCP server. The config.json in the FreeCAD AI config directory holds provider settings.
{
"provider": "anthropic",
"model": "claude-opus-4-5",
"api_key": "cmd:security find-generic-password -a anthropic -s freecad-ai -w",
"mode": "act"
}Prompts to try
Example natural language prompts for generating 3D models and parts inside FreeCAD AI.
- "Create a rectangular box 50mm x 30mm x 20mm with 2mm wall thickness"
- "Generate an electronics enclosure 100mm x 60mm x 40mm with mounting posts and a lid"
- "Create an involute spur gear with 20 teeth and module 2"
- "Add a bolt circle with 4 M3 holes on a 40mm diameter"
- "Create a bracket with two 5mm mounting holes spaced 30mm apart"Troubleshooting FreeCAD AI
FreeCAD AI workbench does not appear in the workbench list
Verify the symlink was created correctly by running 'ls -la ~/.local/share/FreeCAD/Mod/' (Linux) or the macOS equivalent. On FreeCAD 1.1+, the Mod directory moved to a version-scoped path like ~/.local/share/FreeCAD/v1.1/Mod/.
API key errors or 'Authentication failed' when generating models
Confirm your API key is valid and has credits available. If using the cmd: or file: prefix for secure storage, test the command in your terminal first to make sure it outputs the key correctly.
Model generation fails partway through complex shapes
Switch to Plan mode in the FreeCAD AI settings so the AI shows you the proposed operations before executing. This lets you catch errors early. For complex models, break the request into smaller steps.
Frequently Asked Questions about FreeCAD AI
What is FreeCAD AI?
FreeCAD AI is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that ai-powered assistant workbench for freecad — generate 3d models from natural language It connects AI assistants to external tools and data sources through a standardized interface.
How do I install FreeCAD AI?
Follow the installation instructions on the FreeCAD AI GitHub repository. Clone the repo, install dependencies, and add the server config to your AI client.
Which AI clients work with FreeCAD AI?
FreeCAD AI works with all major MCP-compatible AI clients including Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code (GitHub Copilot), Windsurf, and Cline.
Is FreeCAD AI free to use?
Yes, FreeCAD AI is open source and available under the LGPL-2.1 license. You can use it freely in both personal and commercial projects.
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Set Up FreeCAD AI in Your Editor
Choose your AI client for step-by-step setup instructions.
Quick Config Preview
Add this to your claude_desktop_config.json or .cursor/mcp.json
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