A CAD MCP server lets an AI agent such as Claude Code, Claude Desktop, Codex or Cursor call real CAD operations over the Model Context Protocol, instead of only writing code or describing steps. The options differ mainly in where the geometry lives (a running desktop app vs. a headless engine vs. generated code) and in licence.
| Server | Source | Licence | What you need | What the agent can do |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SolidCraft | built-in solidcraft-cli mcp | MIT OR Apache-2.0 | Ships with the app/CLI; headless or bridged to a running window | Native modelling commands, parameters, measure, screenshots, STEP/STL/3MF export |
| FreeCAD MCP | neka-nat/freecad-mcp (community) | MIT | FreeCAD + an addon inside FreeCAD (start its RPC server) + uvx freecad-mcp | Create/edit models, run Python scripts, inspect documents, FEM analyses |
| Autodesk Fusion MCP | official (Autodesk) | Proprietary; for Fusion subscribers | Fusion running locally; enable Preferences › General › API › Fusion MCP Server; Claude connector or other MCP clients | Live session: create, modify and inspect geometry, sketches and features |
| text-to-cad | earthtojake/text-to-cad (community) | MIT | Agent plugin/skills + local cadgen mcp viewer server; uv; build123d / Open CASCADE | Generates STEP, GLB, STL, 3MF from code; DFM checks; drawings. Telemetry on by default (can be turned off) |
No plugin or bridge: solidcraft-cli mcp exposes the same commands as the toolbar, works without a window (headless), and can attach to the desktop app with --connect so you watch the model grow. File access is limited to allowed folders by default. Setup per client: MCP tutorial.
claude mcp add solidcraft -- solidcraft-cli mcp
codex mcp add solidcraft -- solidcraft-cli mcp
A community project with two parts: an addon you install into FreeCAD (switch to the MCP Addon workbench and click Start RPC Server) and the MCP server your client launches with uvx freecad-mcp. Strong where FreeCAD is strong (Python scripting, FEM), but FreeCAD must be running. Comparison of the apps themselves: SolidCraft vs FreeCAD.
Autodesk’s official server connects agents to a live Fusion session on your machine; the Claude connector requires Fusion installed and running and the server enabled in Preferences. Autodesk describes it for Fusion subscribers and also mentions a separate Fusion Data MCP. Choose it if you already work in Fusion and need its CAM and drawings (SolidCraft vs Fusion 360).
A plugin and skills set for agents (Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, Gemini, Grok) that generates parts as code with build123d on Open CASCADE and exports STEP, GLB, STL or 3MF; its local server is cadgen mcp. There is no interactive parametric timeline like a CAD app. Usage stats and crash reports are on by default and can be turned off with uvx cadgen telemetry off.
Agents can also write scripts for build123d, CadQuery or OpenSCAD and run them — no server needed, but also no live model to inspect or measure between steps.
Next: set up SolidCraft MCP · community builds made over MCP.