FreeCAD
Enables users to control FreeCAD through natural language for creating, editing, and managing 3D objects and documents. It supports executing Python code, capturing screenshots of the workspace, and importing parts from the FreeCAD library.
What is FreeCAD?
FreeCAD is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that allows AI assistants like Claude, Cursor, and VS Code to enables users to control freecad through natural language for creating, editing, and managing 3d objects and documents. it supports executing python code, capturing screenshots of the workspace, and i...
Enables users to control FreeCAD through natural language for creating, editing, and managing 3D objects and documents. It supports executing Python code, capturing screenshots of the workspace, and importing parts from the FreeCAD library.
This server falls under the Developer Tools category on MCPgee, the world's largest MCP server directory with 33,000+ servers.
Features
- Enables users to control FreeCAD through natural language fo
Use Cases
Maintainer
Works with
Installation
Manual Installation
npx freecad-mcpConfiguration
Configuration Details
claude_desktop_config.json
Performance
Response Metrics
Resource Usage
How to Set Up and Use FreeCAD
FreeCAD MCP is a bridge that lets AI assistants control FreeCAD through natural language commands, enabling conversational 3D CAD design without writing scripts manually. It exposes twelve core operations including document management, object creation and editing, arbitrary Python execution inside FreeCAD, viewport screenshot capture, FEM analysis via the CalculiX solver, and parts library import. Designers and engineers use it to prototype parts, iterate on geometry, and run stress analyses by simply describing what they want in their AI client.
Prerequisites
- FreeCAD installed (any recent version; the addon targets modern FreeCAD with Python scripting enabled)
- Python 3.8+ and the uv/uvx tool installed on the host machine
- The FreeCADMCP addon copied into the FreeCAD Mod directory
- An MCP-compatible client such as Claude Desktop
- FreeCAD running and the MCP server started within the addon panel
Clone the repository
Download the FreeCAD MCP source code to your machine so you can install the addon.
git clone https://github.com/neka-nat/freecad-mcp.gitInstall the FreeCADMCP addon
Copy the addon directory into FreeCAD's Mod folder. The path varies by OS — on Linux/Ubuntu it is ~/.FreeCAD/Mod/. On macOS it is ~/Library/Application Support/FreeCAD/Mod/ and on Windows it is %APPDATA%\FreeCAD\Mod\.
# Linux / Ubuntu example
cp -r freecad-mcp/addon/FreeCADMCP ~/.FreeCAD/Mod/Install the uvx runtime
The Claude Desktop integration uses uvx to run the MCP server process. Install it via the uv package manager if not already present.
pip install uvConfigure Claude Desktop
Add the FreeCAD MCP server to claude_desktop_config.json. Adjust the path to match where you cloned the repository. Use --only-text-feedback to reduce token usage if screenshots are not needed.
{
"mcpServers": {
"freecad": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": ["freecad-mcp"]
}
}
}Start the MCP server inside FreeCAD
Restart FreeCAD after copying the addon. Open the FreeCADMCP panel from the View menu and click Start Server. Optionally enable Auto-start so the server launches automatically on every FreeCAD startup.
Test the connection
In Claude Desktop, ask FreeCAD to create a simple object. Claude will issue commands to FreeCAD and can return screenshots of the result.
FreeCAD Examples
Client configuration
Claude Desktop config using uvx to run the freecad-mcp server.
{
"mcpServers": {
"freecad": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": ["freecad-mcp"]
}
}
}Prompts to try
Example natural-language prompts for controlling FreeCAD through Claude.
- "Create a cylinder with a 20mm radius and 50mm height in a new document"
- "Design a simple flange with four bolt holes on a 100mm bolt circle"
- "Run a FEM stress analysis on the selected part and show me the displacement results"
- "Import a standard M8 bolt from the parts library and position it at the origin"
- "Take a screenshot of the current FreeCAD workspace"Troubleshooting FreeCAD
Claude cannot connect to FreeCAD — 'connection refused' error
Ensure FreeCAD is running and you have clicked Start Server in the FreeCADMCP panel. The server must be started before Claude attempts to connect. Check the addon panel for the port number and confirm no firewall is blocking it.
Addon does not appear in FreeCAD after copying
Verify the FreeCADMCP folder was placed directly inside the Mod directory (not nested an extra level). Restart FreeCAD completely after copying. On Windows, check that APPDATA path is correct.
Screenshots are not returned by Claude
Remove the --only-text-feedback flag from the server args in claude_desktop_config.json. This flag disables image feedback to save tokens; removing it re-enables screenshot capture.
Frequently Asked Questions about FreeCAD
What is FreeCAD?
FreeCAD is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that enables users to control freecad through natural language for creating, editing, and managing 3d objects and documents. it supports executing python code, capturing screenshots of the workspace, and importing parts from the freecad library. It connects AI assistants to external tools and data sources through a standardized interface.
How do I install FreeCAD?
Follow the installation instructions on the FreeCAD GitHub repository. Clone the repo, install dependencies, and add the server config to your AI client.
Which AI clients work with FreeCAD?
FreeCAD works with all major MCP-compatible AI clients including Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code (GitHub Copilot), Windsurf, and Cline.
Is FreeCAD free to use?
Yes, FreeCAD 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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Set Up FreeCAD in Your Editor
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Quick Config Preview
Add this to your claude_desktop_config.json or .cursor/mcp.json
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