How to add AutoCAD MCP to Claude Desktop
Drive AutoCAD LT via AutoLISP or generate DXF headlessly — 8 consolidated tools for drafting, P&ID and screenshots. Paste the config into ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json and restart Claude Desktop.
Last updated June 14, 2026 · 368★ · stdio · no auth
Claude Desktop config for AutoCAD MCP
git clone https://github.com/puran-water/autocad-mcp.git && cd autocad-mcp && uv sync{
"mcpServers": {
"autocad-mcp": {
"command": "C:\\path\\to\\autocad-mcp\\.venv\\Scripts\\python.exe",
"args": [
"-m",
"autocad_mcp"
],
"env": {
"AUTOCAD_MCP_BACKEND": "auto"
}
}
}
}Setup steps
- 1Open Claude Desktop → Settings → Developer → Edit Config (this opens ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json).
- 2Paste the AutoCAD MCP config below under the top-level "mcpServers" key.
- 3Fill in any placeholder secrets (API keys, paths) in the snippet.
- 4Save the file, then fully quit and reopen Claude Desktop.
- 5Open a chat and confirm AutoCAD MCP's tools appear under the 🔌 tools menu.
Before you start
- Windows 10/11 + AutoCAD LT 2024 or newer for the File IPC backend (ezdxf backend runs on any platform without AutoCAD)
- Python 3.10+ (Windows-native, not WSL) and the uv package manager
- CAD Tools Online P&ID Symbol Library at C:\PIDv4-CTO\ for P&ID symbol insertion (optional)
What AutoCAD MCP can do in Claude Desktop
drawingFile management: create/open/save drawings, DXF export, PDF plot, purge, system variables, undo/redo.
entityEntity CRUD: create lines/circles/polylines/hatches and modify with copy, move, rotate, mirror, array, fillet.
layerLayer management: list, create, set current, properties, freeze/thaw, lock/unlock.
blockBlock operations: list, insert with attributes, read/update attributes, define (ezdxf).
annotationText, linear/aligned/angular/radius dimensions and leaders.
pidP&ID operations: CTO symbols, process lines, valves, instruments, pumps, tags and line numbers.
viewZoom extents/window and capture the current view as a PNG screenshot.
systemServer management: status, health, backend info, and execute_lisp for arbitrary AutoLISP.
Security
Local stdio server with no cloud calls; the File IPC backend exchanges JSON command files in C:/temp (configurable via AUTOCAD_MCP_IPC_DIR) and sends keystrokes into your AutoCAD session. system(execute_lisp) executes arbitrary AutoLISP — effectively code execution inside AutoCAD — and drawing(create) erases the current drawing, so work on copies.
AutoCAD MCP + Claude Desktop FAQ
Where is the Claude Desktop config file?
Claude Desktop reads MCP servers from ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json. Paste the AutoCAD MCP config there under the "mcpServers" key and restart the client.
Is AutoCAD MCP safe to use with Claude Desktop?
Local stdio server with no cloud calls; the File IPC backend exchanges JSON command files in C:/temp (configurable via AUTOCAD_MCP_IPC_DIR) and sends keystrokes into your AutoCAD session. system(execute_lisp) executes arbitrary AutoLISP — effectively code execution inside AutoCAD — and drawing(create) erases the current drawing, so work on copies.
Do I need AutoCAD installed to use it?
No — the ezdxf backend generates and edits DXF headlessly on Linux, macOS or WSL with no AutoCAD at all. You only need Windows plus AutoCAD LT 2024+ for the File IPC backend, which unlocks PDF plotting, offset/fillet/chamfer, undo/redo and live screenshots of the real app.
Why does it require AutoCAD LT 2024 or newer?
AutoLISP support was only added to AutoCAD LT in the 2024 release (Windows). The server's dispatcher, mcp_dispatch.lsp, is AutoLISP, so earlier LT versions and AutoCAD LT for Mac (which never got AutoLISP) cannot run it.
Is it safe to run against production drawings?
Run it on copies. Everything stays local (stdio, no network), but drawing(create) erases and purges the current drawing, and system(execute_lisp) runs arbitrary AutoLISP inside AutoCAD. Review generated LISP the way you would review generated shell commands.