Text-to-CAD

Text-to-CAD is an open-source plugin with 22,000+ stars on GitHub that gives AI coding agents CAD superpowers, generating real 3D models as STEP, GLB, STL or 3MF files from plain-text prompts.

Overview

Most AI agents can write code but cannot design a physical part. Text-to-CAD closes that gap: installed as a plugin or skill pack, it gives your agent local workflows to create parametric CAD models, check them for manufacturability, produce engineering drawings and hand parts off to fabrication. It is built on the build123d Python CAD library and the Open CASCADE geometry kernel, packaged as the cadgen tool on PyPI, and it runs locally through a small MCP server with its own model viewer. It works with all popular agents that support plugins or the skills framework, including Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, Gemini and Grok, so the same CAD workflow follows you across agent apps.

Key Features

• Text-to-model generation – describe a part in words and export production formats: STEP, GLB, STL and 3MF.
• Works with major agents – dedicated plugins for Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, Gemini and Grok Build, plus a skills-only install for other agents.
• Design-for-manufacturing checks – validate designs before they leave the screen.
• Engineering drawings – generate drawings from your models for documentation and fabrication.
• Fabrication connections – hand off to popular 3D printing, sheet metal and CNC fabrication services.
• Local CAD viewer – orbit and inspect models as viewer cards in chat or in a browser viewer.
• Parametric by design – models are generated as build123d code, so dimensions stay editable instead of frozen meshes.

💳 Pricing

Text-to-CAD is completely free and open source under the MIT license. It runs locally on your machine through the open-source cadgen package; there is no paid tier, account or usage fee for the plugin itself.

Who Is It For

Mechanical engineers, product designers, makers and robotics builders who already work with AI coding agents and want to go from a text description to a manufacturable 3D model without leaving their agent workflow.