OpenSCAD MCP Server

A comprehensive Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that provides deep OpenSCAD knowledge and safe file management for 3D modeling workflows.

Purpose

This server acts as an expert OpenSCAD reference and project assistant, providing AI assistants with authoritative OpenSCAD documentation and safe file operations to accelerate 3D design workflows.

Features

Comprehensive OpenSCAD Knowledge

get_scad_syntax() - Complete language syntax, rules, and flow control
get_scad_reference(category) - Detailed reference by category:
- syntax - Language characteristics and structure
- primitives - 2D and 3D primitive shapes
- operations - CSG operations and transformations
- variables - Special variables and debugging modifiers
- bestpractices - Design patterns and optimization
scad_quick_help(topic) - Quick function reference for common operations

Installation

Prerequisites

Docker installed and running.

Step 1: Save the Files

Create a new directory for the project and save the following files in it:

Dockerfile
requirements.txt
openscad_server.py
readme.md
LLM_GUIDE.md

Step 2: Build Docker Image

docker build -t openscad-mcp-server .

Step 3: Create Custom Catalog for Claude Desktop

Create the catalogs directory if it doesn't exist:
```
mkdir -p ~/.docker/mcp/catalogs
```

Create or edit custom.yaml:

nano ~/.docker/mcp/catalogs/custom.yaml

Add this entry to custom.yaml:

version: 2
name: custom
displayName: Custom MCP Servers
registry:
  openscad:
    description: "Comprehensive OpenSCAD knowledge base and file management for 3D modeling"
    title: "OpenSCAD Assistant"
    type: server
    dateAdded: "2025-01-15T00:00:00Z"
    image: openscad-mcp-server:latest
    ref: ""
    readme: ""
    toolsUrl: ""
    source: ""
    upstream: ""
    icon: ""
    tools:
      - name: get_scad_syntax
      - name: get_scad_reference
      - name: scad_quick_help
    secrets: []
    metadata:
      category: productivity
      tags:
        - openscad
        - 3d-modeling
        - cad
        - 3d-printing
      license: MIT
      owner: local

Step 4: Update Registry for Claude Desktop

Edit the registry file:
```
nano ~/.docker/mcp/registry.yaml
```

Add this entry under the existing registry: key:

registry:
  # ... existing servers ...
  openscad:
    ref: ""

Step 5: Configure Claude Desktop

Find your Claude Desktop config file:
- macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
- Windows: %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json
- Linux: ~/.config/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json

Edit the file and add your custom catalog to the args array:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "mcp-toolkit-gateway": {
      "command": "docker",
      "args": [
        "run",
        "-i",
        "--rm",
        "-v", "/var/run/docker.sock:/var/run/docker.sock",
        "-v", "C:/Users/your_username/.docker/mcp:/mcp",
        "docker/mcp-gateway",
        "--catalog=/mcp/catalogs/docker-mcp.yaml",
        "--catalog=/mcp/catalogs/custom.yaml",
        "--config=/mcp/config.yaml",
        "--registry=/mcp/registry.yaml",
        "--tools-config=/mcp/tools.yaml",
        "--transport=stdio"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Important: Replace /Users/your_username with your actual home directory path.

Step 6: Restart Claude Desktop

Quit Claude Desktop completely.
Start Claude Desktop again.
Your OpenSCAD tools should now be available.

Step 7: Test Your Server

docker mcp server list

Example Queries

Once installed, you can ask Claude:

"Show me the OpenSCAD syntax rules"
"What functions are available for transformations?"
"Create a new SCAD file for a parametric box"
"Read my existing project.scad and suggest improvements"
"How do I use the hull() operation?"

This server transforms AI assistants into expert OpenSCAD consultants with instant access to comprehensive 3D modeling knowledge.

MCP Servers