Kiln

What codeofaxel/Kiln does

codeofaxel/Kiln gives MCP-capable AI agents an interface for operating physical 3D printers. Its supported printer connections include OctoPrint, Moonraker/Klipper, PrusaLink, and direct USB. The project lists compatibility with hardware from Bambu Lab, Creality, Prusa, Elegoo, Voron, Sovol, AnkerMake, Artillery, FlashForge, QIDI, RatRig, and SparkX.

The intended workflow covers more than sending a completed G-code file. An agent can design a part, check whether it is suitable for printing, slice it, send it to a selected printer, observe the print through a camera, and respond to failures. Kiln also provides lower-level printer operations through its MCP tools and command-line interface.

How it works

A local installation runs the Kiln MCP server over the standard MCP connection configured by the client. The package can be installed with pip install kiln3d, or launched without a package installation through uvx or npx as shown in the manual configuration. Printer credentials and connection details can be set up with Kiln's sign-in, setup, or authentication commands.

The server can target a particular printer when more than one is configured. Its command-line workflow includes printer discovery, status checks, model upload, slicing, printing, queueing, progress monitoring, snapshots, history, and planned safety actions. Commands also support JSON output for agent-oriented use.

A hosted option is available at https://api.kiln3d.com/mcp. ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, and Cursor can connect through the application-specific setup described by Kiln. Claude Desktop can also install the kiln.mcpb bundle.

Setup and configuration

Install the package and connect it to an MCP client:

pip install kiln3d
kiln signin
kiln install-mcp

For manual configuration, use a stdio server entry such as:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "kiln": {
      "command": "python3",
      "args": ["-m", "kiln", "serve"]
    }
  }
}

The equivalent zero-install runners are uvx kiln3d serve and npx kiln3d. Printer connections can be discovered with kiln discover and registered with kiln auth; examples cover OctoPrint, PrusaLink, Moonraker, and Bambu connections. kiln doctor checks the local setup. Claude Code can install Kiln through its plugin marketplace or through an MCP configuration that runs kiln serve.

Tools and capabilities

The listed MCP tools are:

• load_filament — operate a filament-loading action.
• unload_filament — operate a filament-unloading action.
• plan_only — create an execution plan without sending the action.
• plate_clear — check or address plate-clearance state.
• look_at_plate — inspect the print plate through the available camera view.

The wider Kiln workflow includes slicing and printing, print queue management, status and progress monitoring, camera snapshots, print history, and staged operations such as parking, homing, and filament wiping. Planned actions can be reviewed before execution.

Limitations and notes

Kiln controls physical equipment, so printer setup and credentials must be configured before a local agent can operate a machine. Direct printer support depends on the corresponding OctoPrint, Moonraker/Klipper, PrusaLink, Bambu, or USB connection. Claude Desktop's one-click bundle still requires uv and OpenSCAD, and terms must be accepted with kiln accept-terms. The project is licensed under AGPL-3.0.