Guide · AutoCAD
How to connect Claude to AutoCAD
Prompt4CAD connects Claude's AI to your AutoCAD: you describe the part in natural language and it is built in your own CAD, with your license, through the AutoCAD ActiveX/COM API. No copy-pasting macros by hand. In AutoCAD, parts are built with native 3D solids (AddBox, AddCylinder, extruded regions and boolean operations) and exported via STLOUT.
Connect Claude to AutoCAD in 3 steps
- Open prompt4cad.com and pick AutoCAD in the CAD selector. The site shows your pairing code.
- Paste one command into PowerShell (the site gives it to you with your code included):
irm https://prompt4cad.com/install/YOURCODE | iex. It installs the connector, detects AutoCAD and keeps it running in the background. - Type your prompt. The indicator turns green, the part is built in your AutoCAD and the STL shows up in the site's 3D viewer, ready to export.
How to use AutoCAD with AI
With the connector active you get two engines on top of AutoCAD:
- Command engine (no AI) — instant and deterministic: cubes, boxes, cylinders, cones, tubes, tori, polygonal prisms and pyramids, stars, ellipses and DIN/ISO standard hardware (nuts, bolts, washers, metric clearance holes). See the command manual.
- AI engine — free-form geometry: the AI writes a native macro for the AutoCAD ActiveX/COM API and the connector runs it on your machine. If the macro fails, the error goes back to the AI and it fixes itself (up to 3 attempts). You can refine the result by describing what is wrong, with a snapshot of the viewer as context.
You review the result in a 3D viewer with drawing views (front, top, side) and export to STL, STEP, OBJ, PLY or 3MF.
FAQ
Do I need an API key or to pay anything?
The command engine is free and uses no AI. The AI engine runs on Prompt4CAD's server infrastructure; you only need your AutoCAD license.
Is it safe? What does the connector install?
A lightweight Python script that polls prompt4cad.com and only picks up jobs created with your pairing code. The code is open — inspect it before installing.
Does it work with my AutoCAD version?
Built for desktop AutoCAD on Windows (ActiveX API; AutoCAD LT has no 3D solids API). Beta support.
What if I don't have AutoCAD?
Use the AI-only mode: the part is generated on the server with FreeCAD and you download the STL with nothing installed. Or pick another CAD: How to connect Claude to SolidWorks — use SolidWorks with AI · How to connect Claude to Inventor — use Inventor with AI · How to connect Claude to Fusion 360 — use Fusion 360 with AI