Onshape vs OpenSCAD
A side-by-side look at the Onshape and OpenSCAD MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.
Verdict: choose Onshape for architecture & design work as a local process; choose OpenSCAD for architecture & design as a local process. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.
Which MCP server should you choose?
Choose Onshape when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Architecture & Design domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- You want tools like
shaded_view, get_thumbnail, ONSHAPE_MCP_MAX_RESPONSE_BYTES.
Choose OpenSCAD when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Architecture & Design domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- You want tools like
render_scad_png, cameraPreset, cameraPosition.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Architecture & Design | Architecture & Design |
| Quality signal | 55/100 · Good | 55/100 · Good |
| Install command | Confirmed | Confirmed |
| Transport | Local subprocess (stdio) | Local subprocess (stdio) |
| Auth | Not declared | Not declared |
| Pricing | Not declared | Not declared |
| Required env vars | None listed | None listed |
| Verified owner | Community listing | Community listing |
| GitHub stars | 1 | 6 |
| Directory activity | 0 views 0 installs 0 upvotes | 0 views 0 installs 0 upvotes |
| Tools | 4 | 4 |
| Full listing | View Onshape | View OpenSCAD |
Tools & capabilities
Onshape tools 4
shaded_viewget_thumbnailONSHAPE_MCP_MAX_RESPONSE_BYTESonshape_request
OpenSCAD tools 4
render_scad_pngRenders a PNG preview image from SCAD source.cameraPresetone of `isometric`, `front`, `back`, `left`, `right`, `top`, `bottom`cameraPosition`{ x, y, z }`export_scad_stlExports an STL generated from SCAD source.
Ready-to-paste client configs
Paste either block (or both) into your client config, e.g. claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json. We only show a config when the install command is confirmed.
Onshape
{
"mcpServers": {
"onshape": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@gpambrozio/onshape-mcp"
]
}
}
}
OpenSCAD
{
"mcpServers": {
"openscad": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"openscad-mcp-server"
]
}
}
}
Frequently asked questions
Onshape is categorized under Architecture & Design and uses a local stdio subprocess. OpenSCAD belongs to Architecture & Design and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick Onshape for architecture & design work and OpenSCAD for architecture & design.
Copy the mcpServers block from the config section on this page into your client's config (for example claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json), then fully restart the client.
Onshape has no declared pricing — check the project's own site. OpenSCAD has no declared pricing — check the project's own site. If a server needs environment variables such as API keys, define them under the env key in your client's MCP config.
Yes. MCP clients support multiple servers: add onshape and openscad as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.
On AllMCPs, Onshape has a quality signal of 55/100 (Good) with 0 views, 0 installs and 1 GitHub stars. OpenSCAD has 55/100 (Good) with 0 views, 0 installs and 6 GitHub stars.