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Guide · Open source

How to use text-to-cad: install it and design parts with AI

Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data

text-to-cad is an open-source plugin that lets an AI coding agent design physical parts for you. Your agent writes each model as a Python script built on build123d and Open CASCADE, runs it, and exports files such as STEP, GLB, STL or 3MF. This guide shows you how to install it in a supported agent app, what the workflow looks like and where it fits compared with traditional CAD tools.

text-to-cadearthtojake/text-to-cad · ★ 24.9k · MIT

Quick start

  1. 1Check uv. Run uv --version to confirm uv is installed. If it is not, install it using uv's installer.
  2. 2Pick your agent app. Choose a supported app such as Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, Grok Build or Gemini.
  3. 3Install the plugin. Run the install commands for your app, using the latest branch where the README gives one.
  4. 4Restart and wait. Restart the app. The first start downloads CAD's runtime, so keep a network connection.
  5. 5Describe your part. Ask your agent in plain language to design the part you need.
  6. 6Review in the viewer. Open the model in the CAD viewer and ask for changes as the model rebuilds.
  7. 7Export your files. Export STEP, GLB, STL or 3MF files for your next step, such as 3D printing.

What you need before you install

text-to-cad needs uv, a Python package and tool manager, and a supported agent app such as Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, Grok Build or Gemini. The runtime supports Python 3.11+, and the launch commands use uv-managed Python 3.13.

Check that uv is installed by running uv --version. If it is missing, install it with uv's installer, linked from the project's README. The first start of your agent app downloads CAD's runtime, so you need a network connection.

  • uv (Python package and tool manager)
  • Python 3.11+ runtime; launch commands use uv-managed Python 3.13
  • A supported agent app such as Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, Grok Build or Gemini
uv --version

Install text-to-cad in your agent app

Install the plugin with the commands for your app. The install commands take the latest branch, which holds the plugin alone and gets each release once it is on PyPI. Leaving out the branch name installs main, which can hold unreleased changes.

In Claude Code, add the marketplace and then install the plugin. Restart the app after installing. Cursor users can clone the repository into the Cursor plugins folder, and Gemini users can install it as an extension.

  • Claude Code: run the marketplace add and plugin install commands below
  • Gemini: run the extension install command below, which includes --consent for its security prompt
  • Cursor: clone the repository into ~/.cursor/plugins/local/text-to-cad, then restart Cursor
  • Codex and Grok Build: use the plugin directory or commands under their headings in the README
claude plugin marketplace add earthtojake/text-to-cad#latest claude plugin install text-to-cad@earthtojake

Describe a part and let the agent build it

Once installed, describe the physical part you want in plain language. Your agent writes a Python script with build123d. Running that script with python model.py builds the model and produces the files the script declares, along with an .xbf document that holds the parts, names, colours, materials and joints.

The CAD viewer shows the model in your agent app or in your browser and follows every rebuild. The engine keeps each model's work in memory, so an edit rebuilds only what it changed. In apps that can show app views, such as Claude Code, models appear as viewer cards in the conversation. In apps that show text only, such as Grok Build and Gemini, you get a CAD Viewer link instead.

  • Describe the part, for example its size, shape or purpose
  • Let the agent write and run the model script
  • Open the result in the CAD viewer and ask for changes
  • Export STEP, GLB, STL or 3MF files as needed
python model.py

Check the output for manufacturing

The plugin includes design-for-manufacturing checks and can generate engineering drawings, according to the README. It also connects to popular 3D printing, sheet metal and CNC fabrication services.

The README is clear about limits: it does not address validation beyond basic checks. Treat the output as a quick design aid and verify anything that matters with your own engineering review before you rely on it.

Update, reinstall or remove text-to-cad

Each app has its own update and reinstall steps. Updating the plugin also updates CAD, because the new release's cadgen is downloaded the first time it runs. Earlier releases stay in uv's cache until you run uv cache prune.

For Claude Code, update the marketplace and the plugin, then restart the app. To reinstall, remove the plugin and marketplace, then run the install commands again.

  • Install one or the other in an app, not both, since two copies means every skill twice
  • Telemetry is on by default and never includes your files, paths or prompts; the README explains how to turn it off
claude plugin marketplace update earthtojake claude plugin update text-to-cad@earthtojake

Choose text-to-cad or a traditional CAD tool

text-to-cad suits people who want to describe parts in words and let an agent write the model. The README's comparable projects include FreeCAD, OpenSCAD, CadQuery and build123d, which are different ways of working with CAD. If you want a graphical editor, a traditional tool is a better match, because text-to-cad models are written as Python scripts by the agent.

  • Comparable projects named in the README: FreeCAD, OpenSCAD, CadQuery, build123d

What people use it for

  • Sketching a physical product part by describing it in plain language
  • Exploring quick 3D model variations through an AI agent
  • Preparing STL or 3MF files for 3D printing
  • Learning parametric CAD by reading the generated Python scripts

Frequently asked questions

Is text-to-cad free?

text-to-cad is released under the MIT licence, which is stated in the README and on the project's licence badge. The README does not list prices for the plugin, so check the repository for current terms.

What do I need to install text-to-cad?

You need uv, a Python 3.11+ runtime (the launch commands use uv-managed Python 3.13), and a supported agent app such as Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, Grok Build or Gemini. The first start downloads CAD's runtime, so you need a network connection.

Which file formats can text-to-cad export?

According to the README, text-to-cad generates 3D models as STEP, GLB, STL or 3MF files. Running the model script builds the files it declares, along with an .xbf document.

Can I use text-to-cad with Cursor?

Yes. The README says Cursor reads the plugin manifest, and you can clone the repository into ~/.cursor/plugins/local/text-to-cad, then restart Cursor. If the Claude Code plugin is already installed, Cursor loads it and you can skip the clone.

Is text-to-cad good for production or certified engineering?

Not according to the README, which does not address validation beyond basic checks. Teams that need certified or production-verified output should use their own verification process.

How does text-to-cad compare with FreeCAD or OpenSCAD?

The README lists FreeCAD, OpenSCAD, CadQuery and build123d as comparable projects. text-to-cad differs because your agent writes each model as a Python script, so it suits people who want to describe parts in words rather than use a graphical editor.

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Our verdict

text-to-cad suits product designers, hobbyists and students who want to describe physical parts in plain language and get STL, 3MF or STEP files back. It is a poor fit if you need a traditional graphical CAD editor or certified, production-verified engineering output, since the README covers only basic checks.

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