CAD Automation Skill Pack#

Control AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Fusion 360, and FreeCAD via Claude Code skills.

Why CADStack?#

The problem: CAD tools require precise commands. Want a 10mm hole? You need to know the exact API call, parameter order, and coordinate system.

The solution: Describe what you want in natural language. CADStack generates the CAD script, validates it for safety, executes it, and verifies the output.

text

Traditional CAD:                    CADStack:
─────────────────────────────────    ─────────────────────────────────
1. Open CAD software                1. /cad "bracket with 4 holes"
2. Create sketch                      → Generated script
3. Draw rectangle                      → Safety validated
4. Add dimensions                      → Executed
5. Extrude                             → Dimensions verified
6. Create hole sketch                2. ✓ Done
7. Draw circle
8. Cut extrude
9. Repeat 3 more times
10. Export STEP

What makes CADStack different:

• Safety-first: Every script reviewed before execution
• Multi-backend: Same commands work across FreeCAD, AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Fusion 360
• Verification built-in: /cad-qa confirms dimensions match your intent
• Headless mode: FreeCAD works without opening a GUI

Available Skills#

SkillDescription/cadPrimary skill — Execute CAD commands: create, modify, export parts/cad-planPlan complex multi-step CAD operations before execution/cad-reviewReview generated CAD scripts for safety/correctness/cad-qaVerify exported files, check dimensions, validate geometry/cad-configSet up and configure CAD backend connections

Which Skill to Use?#

text

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                    CADSTACK DECISION TREE                    │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                                                              │
│  START                                                       │
│    │                                                         │
│    ▼                                                         │
│  "Is this your first time?" ──YES──► /cad-config            │
│    │                                (detect & configure)    │
│    NO                                                        │
│    │                                                         │
│    ▼                                                         │
│  "Simple operation?" ──YES──► /cad                          │
│  (single part, 1-3 steps)       (create, modify, export)    │
│    │                                                         │
│    NO                                                        │
│    │                                                         │
│    ▼                                                         │
│  "Multi-step or assembly?" ──► /cad-plan ──► /cad           │
│                                 (plan first)   (execute)    │
│                                                              │
│  AFTER /cad:                                                 │
│    • Need to verify output? ──► /cad-qa                     │
│    • Review script safety?  ──► /cad-review                 │
│                                                              │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Quick reference:

• Just want to make a part? → /cad
• Building something complex? → /cad-plan then /cad
• Not sure it worked? → /cad-qa
• Setting up for the first time? → /cad-config

Supported Platforms#

• FreeCAD (Recommended) - Pure Python, headless mode, no license required
• AutoCAD - Requires AutoCAD running, uses COM automation
• SolidWorks - Requires SolidWorks running, uses COM automation
• Fusion 360 - Requires Fusion 360 running with bridge add-in

Quick Start#

bash

# Install cadstack
git clone https://github.com/user/cadstack.git ~/.claude/skills/cadstack
cd ~/.claude/skills/cadstack && ./setup

Then in Claude Code:

text

/cad "Create a 100x50x20mm box with 5mm filleted edges"

First Run Experience#

If this is your first time using cadstack, follow this sequence:

text

Step 1: Verify setup
┌─────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ /cad-config                             │
│                                         │
│ ✓ FreeCAD: available                    │
│ ✓ Output dir: ~/.claude/.../output      │
│ ✓ Default format: STEP                  │
└─────────────────────────────────────────┘

Step 2: Hello World (builds confidence)
┌─────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ /cad "create a 10mm cube"               │
│                                         │
│ ✓ Created: output/cube.step (2.1 KB)    │
│   Dimensions: 10 × 10 × 10 mm           │
└─────────────────────────────────────────┘

Step 3: Your first real part
┌─────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ /cad "create a 50×30×5mm plate with     │
│       four 5mm holes at corners"        │
└─────────────────────────────────────────┘

User Journey Storyboard#

StepUser ActionUser FeelsSkill Supports It1Install cadstackUncertain: "Will this work?"/cad-config verifies setup2Create first cubeRelieved: "It works!"Simple 10mm cube example3Create real partCurious: "What else can I do?"Examples in /cad skill4Complex operationConfident but cautious/cad-plan for structure5Verify outputCertain: "It's correct"/cad-qa confirms dimensions6Error occursFrustratedMinimal error → recovery command7Fix and retrySatisfiedClear path forward

Architecture#

text

cadstack/
├── SKILL.md                 # This file
├── setup                    # Installation script
├── skills/                  # Skill definitions
│   ├── cad.md
│   ├── cad-plan.md
│   ├── cad-review.md
│   ├── cad-qa.md
│   └── cad-config.md
├── lib/                     # Core library
│   ├── cad_executor.py      # Script executor
│   ├── backends/            # Platform backends
│   └── utils/               # Helpers
└── templates/               # Script templates

Configuration#

Add to your project's CLAUDE.md:

markdown

## cadstack
Available skills: /cad, /cad-plan, /cad-review, /cad-qa, /cad-config
Supported platforms: FreeCAD, AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Fusion 360
Default platform: freecad