About OwlCAD
OwlCAD is a hosted parametric 3D CAD service for AI assistants to build dimensioned parts, check printability, and export model files. Projects remain editable in OwlCAD's browser editor.
Key features
- 01Model with primitives, booleans, and generators
- 02Check watertightness, dimensions, walls, and collisions
- 03Check overhangs and printer-bed fit
- 04Split oversized parts into printable pieces
- 05Export STL, 3MF, OBJ, STEP, or 2D drawings
- 06Manage saved OwlCAD projects
Use cases
- 01Design and validate 3D-printable parts
- 02Create gears, threads, or Gridfinity components
- 03Check a part against a printer's bed
- 04Export models for slicing or other CAD tools
MCP support
Its hosted Streamable HTTP MCP server gives AI assistants tools for modeling, validation, export, and project management. Tool calls send the current model or project to the server, which reads and writes projects in the user's OwlCAD account.
Configuration
Remote servers need no local install. Pick your client, then copy the config or install in one click.
https://mcp.owlcad.comclaude mcp add --transport http com-owlcad https://mcp.owlcad.com{"mcpServers":{"com-owlcad":{"type":"http","url":"https://mcp.owlcad.com"}}}Open in Cursor{"servers":{"com-owlcad":{"type":"http","url":"https://mcp.owlcad.com"}}}Open in VS Code{"mcpServers":{"com-owlcad":{"type":"http","url":"https://mcp.owlcad.com"}}}{"mcpServers":{"com-owlcad":{"serverUrl":"https://mcp.owlcad.com"}}}Run commands in a terminal; paste JSON into the client’s MCP config and restart. Servers that need sign-in will prompt on first connect.
Tools
Details
From the project READMEOwlCAD
Parametric 3D CAD for 3D printing, for your AI assistant. This plugin connects Claude, GitHub Copilot in VS Code, Cursor or Gemini CLI to OwlCAD's hosted MCP server, so the assistant can build millimeter-dimensioned parts, check that they will print, and export STL, 3MF or STEP. Everything it makes is a normal OwlCAD project: a tree of named, dimensioned parts you can open in the browser editor at owlcad.com and change afterwards.
What it can do
- Build parts from primitives and booleans, built-in generators (gears, threads, Gridfinity bins and baseplates) and a library of datasheet-dimensioned parts.
- Check them: watertight build, size and volume, overhangs, thinnest wall, collisions between parts, and whether a part fits a given printer's bed. It can also cut an oversized part into printable pieces.
- Export STL, 3MF or OBJ for a slicer, STEP for other CAD tools, or a 2D drawing.
- List, read, edit, organize, share and delete your saved OwlCAD projects.
29 tools in all. The full list, with what each one does, is at owlcad.com/mcp-server.
Requirements
An OwlCAD account on the Pro plan. The first time the assistant uses OwlCAD, a browser opens so you can sign in and approve what it may do. You can revoke the connection at any time from Account settings on owlcad.com.
What it runs, sends and fetches
This plugin contains configuration only. It runs nothing on your machine. It points your
assistant at https://mcp.owlcad.com/, OwlCAD's hosted server. Each tool call sends that server
the model or project the assistant is working on, and the server reads and writes projects in
your OwlCAD account. How that data is handled is described in the
privacy policy.
Install
The server is https://mcp.owlcad.com/ (Streamable HTTP). It signs you in with OAuth, so there is
no API key to copy.
-
Claude (web, desktop): open OwlCAD in Claude's directory and select Connect. Or add it by URL: Settings → Connectors → Add custom connector, and paste
https://mcp.owlcad.com/. -
GitHub Copilot in VS Code: run MCP: Add Server from the Command Palette, choose HTTP and enter
https://mcp.owlcad.com/, or add it to.vscode/mcp.json, then sign in when VS Code asks:{ "servers": { "owlcad": { "type": "http", "url": "https://mcp.owlcad.com/" } } } -
Claude Code:
claude mcp add --transport http owlcad https://mcp.owlcad.com/ -
Cursor: add the server to
~/.cursor/mcp.json(or a project's.cursor/mcp.json), then sign in when Cursor asks:{ "mcpServers": { "owlcad": { "url": "https://mcp.owlcad.com/" } } } -
Gemini CLI:
gemini extensions install https://github.com/Spare-Matter/owlcad-plugin
Other MCP clients that speak Streamable HTTP work the same way: point them at the URL and sign in.
Using it
Ask in plain language. For example:
- "Design a 60 mm wall hook with two screw holes and check that it prints."
- "Make a 2 by 3 Gridfinity bin, 6 units tall, and save it to OwlCAD."
- "Make a 20-tooth and a 40-tooth spur gear that mesh, check they don't collide, and export a STEP."
- "Export my latest OwlCAD project as a 3MF."
The assistant builds the model with OwlCAD's tools, checks it, and gives you a file or a link that opens the project in the editor, where every dimension can still be changed. Units are millimeters and Z points up.
Support
owlcad.com/contact · [email protected]
License
The files in this repository (configuration and documentation) are MIT-licensed; see LICENSE. The OwlCAD service they connect to is proprietary.
Comments
New to MCP?
From what the protocol is to installing your first server, these answers cover most first questions.
An open protocol that defines how AI applications connect to external tools and data in a uniform way. Clients talk to the model; MCP servers provide tools, resources and prompt templates. They exchange standard messages, so one server can be reused by many clients.