Onshape vs SolidWorks
A side-by-side look at the Onshape and SolidWorks 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 SolidWorks 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 SolidWorks when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Architecture & Design domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- You want tools like
get_status, new_part, list_equations.
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 | 13 |
| Directory activity | 0 views 0 installs 0 upvotes | 0 views 0 installs 0 upvotes |
| Tools | 4 | 10 |
| Full listing | View Onshape | View SolidWorks |
Tools & capabilities
Onshape tools 4
shaded_viewget_thumbnailONSHAPE_MCP_MAX_RESPONSE_BYTESonshape_request
SolidWorks tools 10
get_statusIs SolidWorks reachable? revision, server version, active/current partnew_partCreate a new empty part (becomes current)list_equationsList the equations (value, global, broken) / delete one by name or indexget_mass_propertiesVolume, mass, density, surface area, centre of mass, bounding boxget_bounding_boxTight part bounding box (min/max/size, mm)list_documentsThe open documents (path, type, unsaved changes) / make one current again, also one never savednew_assemblyCreate a new empty assembly (becomes the current document)list_componentsName, path, fixed, position, rotation and bounding box of every component (its own extent, also when turned), and the mates with their dimensions and errorscheck_interferenceComponent pairs whose solids overlap, with the volume in mm³ (touching faces don't count)get_assembly_bounding_boxTight bounding box of the whole assembly (min/max/size, mm)
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"
]
}
}
}
SolidWorks
{
"mcpServers": {
"solidworks": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"solidworks-mcp"
]
}
}
}
Frequently asked questions
Onshape is categorized under Architecture & Design and uses a local stdio subprocess. SolidWorks belongs to Architecture & Design and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick Onshape for architecture & design work and SolidWorks 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. SolidWorks 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 solidworks 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. SolidWorks has 55/100 (Good) with 0 views, 0 installs and 13 GitHub stars.