PartCAD plugin
PartCAD keeps mechanical parts as text, so an agent writes the CAD script, renders the model and checks it against the brief.
- 530 ★ on the repository
- Last commit
- Apache-2.0
Extended access
Why this level
- The agent writes and runs CAD scripts and `pc` commands in the project.
- Command-line purchasing spends money if enabled.
Install
- Works in
In your terminal, with SkillFoxx CLI
npx skillfoxx add plugins/partcadDetects the agents on your machine, shows the access level and pins the version.
Other ways to install
Access and checks
How we reviewExtended accessThe tool runs code or makes network calls and only reads external data.
- The agent writes and runs CAD scripts and `pc` commands in the project.
- Command-line purchasing spends money if enabled.
This is third-party code. Review the repository files before installing.
What it does
PartCAD is a package manager for physical products. A package is a Git repository with a `partcad.yaml` file listing parts (CAD scripts or ready files), assemblies, materials and requirements. The `pc` commands render models, run tests and simulations, and build the bill of materials and assembly instructions. A Claude Code plugin and Cursor skills connect agents to it. The `/pc:gen` command asks the agent to write a CAD script, render the part and check the result against the request. Other agents can use the `pc mcp` server.
Who it is for. Mechanical and robotics engineers who keep CAD projects in Git and want an agent to take part of the modelling.
Good fit when
- An agent refines a bracket or enclosure written as a CadQuery, build123d or OpenSCAD script.
- An assembly needs a bill of materials and a PDF instruction book from the same source files.
- A model from STEP, STL or a KiCad board is covered by tests and a MuJoCo or Gazebo simulation.
- A team renders models in CI and wants each part built once and served from cache.
Not a fit when
- Modelling is done by hand in a graphical CAD editor, with no code and no Git.
- The job is a one-off of two sketches, not worth a package with `partcad.yaml`.
- Parts purchasing would be left to the agent without confirming each purchase.
Example request
Make a mounting bracket with four M4 holes, render it and check the holes sit where asked.Limitations
Not every listed format or feature is ready: the supported and in-progress list lives in the Supported formats and features page of the documentation. Rhino and SolidCraft support comes from separate plugin packages. The Claude Code plugin takes three steps: add the marketplace, install `pc`, run `/pc:setup`. Automated purchasing from the command line spends real money, so give an agent such steps only with explicit confirmation.
How to disable. Remove the plugin with `/plugin` in Claude Code, and the package `.claude/skills` folder if `pc init` created it. Packages and cache stay in the repository and on disk; delete them separately.
FAQ
What does pc init do?
It creates a package in the current directory and adds skills for Claude Code and Cursor. Then show a part with `pc ide view` or render it with `pc render`.
How do I install PartCAD without the plugin?
Run `pip install -U partcad` to get the `pc` command. A Visual Studio Code extension and a standalone IDE also exist; see the Install section.
Does PartCAD work with other agents?
Yes, through the `pc mcp` server. Every command can print plain text without colours (`--no-ansi`), which is easy for an agent to parse.
What outputs does it produce?
STEP, STL, 3MF, glTF, URDF, dimensioned drawings, Markdown documentation, and PDF or HTML instruction books with a bill of materials.
What does a PartCAD package contain?
A `partcad.yaml` file with parts, assemblies, materials and requirements. A part is a CAD script (CadQuery, build123d, OpenSCAD) or a ready file in STEP, STL and other formats.
Discussion
No questions or reviews yet.
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Comparison with similar tools
Cards that share the main search query, and how they differ.
| Tool | Official | Authentication | Repository stars | Main difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PartCAD (this card) | no | 530 | ||
| text-to-cad | no | 26,106 | turns text into a CAD model; PartCAD adds packages, tests, a bill of materials and assembly instructions | |
| FreeCAD MCP | no | not required | 3,310 | drives a running FreeCAD; PartCAD describes the product as Git files with no graphical editor |
README in short
The project presents itself as a programming language for manufacturable things. The product specification stays in Git and can be read by a person, a CI job and an AI model.