cura_mcp

AuraFriday/cura_mcp

3.2

If you are the rightful owner of cura_mcp and would like to certify it and/or have it hosted online, please leave a comment on the right or send an email to dayong@mcphub.com.

This document provides a comprehensive overview of a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server designed to interface with the Cura slicer software.

Cura MCP Server

Control Ultimaker Cura with AI - Complete Slicing API Access + Python Execution

Works with any AI that supports MCP - from desktop apps to web-based AI (via browser extension)

Cura Version Python MCP

🎥 Watch This In Action

See AI control Cura in real-time - loading models, rotating, configuring settings, and slicing with natural language commands:

Watch Demo Video

Click above to watch: "How to use your favourite AI to do Slicing and 3D prints using Model Context Protocol"

🚀 What This Is

A Cura plugin that lets you talk to your slicer in plain English.

Tell AI what you want, and it handles all the technical details:

  • "Load this STL, rotate and center it to fit, and slice for spiral-vase mode, no base, 5-line brim, on my Ender3"
  • "Compare print time between solid and spiral vase mode"
  • "Find the fastest settings that still give good quality"
  • "Batch slice these 50 models with different orientations"

No coding required. No manual configuration. Just natural conversation.

🌐 Universal AI Compatibility

Works with ANY AI that supports MCP - no vendor lock-in!

  • Desktop AI: Cursor, VS Code, Claude Desktop, Windsurf, Zed, Visual Studio, all JetBrains IDEs
  • Web-based AI: ChatGPT.com, Claude.ai, Gemini, and any AI website via browser extension
  • AI Assistants: Cline, Continue, Amazon Q, Copilot Workspace, Sourcegraph Cody, BoltAI
  • CLI Tools: OpenDevin, custom MCP clients

The MCP-Link server automatically configures itself with 15+ popular AI tools on installation!

💡 Three Powerful Benefits

1. Talk to Your Slicer Like a Human

No more hunting through menus or remembering setting names:

  • "Make this print as strong as possible"
  • "What's the fastest I can print this without losing quality?"
  • "Try 10 different orientations and tell me which uses least material"

2. Learn from Every Print

AI remembers what worked and suggests improvements:

  • "What settings worked best for my last PLA bracket?"
  • "Show me all prints that finished under 2 hours"
  • "Compare this design to similar parts I've printed before"

3. Automate Repetitive Tasks

Let AI handle the boring stuff:

  • Batch process dozens of models while you sleep
  • Automatically optimize orientation for every model
  • Download models from the web, slice, and report results
  • Track material costs and print times across all your projects

🎯 Real-World Examples

"I need this bracket to be as strong as possible"

AI automatically:

  • Sets 100% infill
  • Increases wall count to 5
  • Adjusts layer height for strength
  • Slices and shows estimated print time

"Which orientation uses the least material?"

AI tries multiple angles:

  • Rotates model at 0°, 45°, 90°
  • Slices each orientation
  • Compares material usage
  • Recommends the best option with time/cost breakdown

"Batch process these 50 models overnight"

AI handles everything:

  • Loads each model
  • Checks if it fits the build plate
  • Rotates if needed
  • Slices with your preferred settings
  • Saves all G-code files
  • Generates a summary report in the morning

🛠️ What Makes This Possible

Behind the scenes, AI can access powerful tools to help you:

  • 🌐 Web Browser - Download models from Thingiverse, Printables, etc.
  • 🧠 Database - Remember settings that worked well for past prints
  • 💬 Popups - Show you results, charts, and summaries
  • 🖥️ Desktop Control - Interact with Cura's interface when needed
  • 📚 Documentation - Look up Cura features and settings on the fly

All of this works locally on your computer. No cloud required.

📦 Installation

Prerequisites

  1. Download MCP-Link Server
    Get the latest release: https://github.com/AuraFriday/mcp-link-server/releases/tag/latest

    The server automatically configures itself with these AI tools:

    • IDEs: Cursor, VS Code, Windsurf, Zed, Visual Studio
    • JetBrains: IntelliJ, PyCharm, Android Studio (all JetBrains IDEs)
    • AI Assistants: Claude Desktop, Cline, Continue, Amazon Q, Copilot Workspace, Sourcegraph Cody
    • Mac-only: BoltAI
    • CLI Tools: OpenDevin, Windmill.dev
    • Web-based AI: Any AI website (ChatGPT, Claude, etc.) via browser extension

  2. Install Ultimaker Cura
    Download from: https://ultimaker.com/software/ultimaker-cura
    (Tested with Cura 5.11+)

  3. Clone This Repository

    git clone https://github.com/AuraFriday/Cura-MCP-Server.git

Installation Steps

Windows

  1. Open File Explorer and navigate to:

    %APPDATA%\cura\5.11\plugins\

    (Replace 5.11 with your Cura version)

  2. Copy the CuraMCP folder from this repository into the plugins folder

  3. Restart Cura

  4. Check Help → Show Console to verify the plugin connected to MCP-Link server

macOS

  1. Open Finder and navigate to:

    ~/Library/Application Support/cura/<version>/plugins/

  2. Copy the CuraMCP folder into the plugins folder

  3. Restart Cura

Linux

  1. Navigate to:

    ~/.local/share/cura/<version>/plugins/

  2. Copy the CuraMCP folder into the plugins folder

  3. Restart Cura

Verification

The plugin auto-connects to the MCP server on startup. Check the TEXT COMMANDS window in Cura to see connection logs:

[OK] Connected! Session ID: ...
[OK] Successfully registered tool: cura

🏗️ How It Works

  1. Install the plugin - Copy files to Cura's plugin folder
  2. Start Cura - Plugin automatically connects to MCP-Link server
  3. Talk to AI - Use any supported AI tool (Cursor, Claude, ChatGPT, etc.)
  4. AI controls Cura - Handles all the technical details for you
  5. Get results - AI reports back with print times, material usage, and more

Everything runs locally on your computer. Your models and settings stay private.

💡 Who This Is For

🏭 Production Shops

  • Batch process orders overnight
  • Optimize material costs automatically
  • Track print history and settings that work
  • Reduce manual slicing time by 90%

🎓 Educators & Students

  • Learn 3D printing through conversation
  • Experiment with settings without fear
  • Understand how parameters affect results
  • Get instant feedback and explanations

🔬 Makers & Hobbyists

  • Spend less time in menus, more time creating
  • Let AI handle the tedious optimization
  • Remember what worked for past projects
  • Discover new techniques through AI suggestions

🚀 Power Users

  • Automate complex workflows
  • Integrate with other tools and databases
  • Build custom slicing pipelines
  • Push Cura beyond its UI limitations

📚 Learn More

  • - Technical documentation for developers
  • - View the code
  • Cura Repository - Official Cura project

🚀 Coming Soon

  • Visual status indicator in Cura's interface
  • Automatic slice preview generation
  • G-code analysis and optimization suggestions
  • Library of common slicing workflows
  • Integration with more 3D printing services

🤝 Contributing

Want to help? We'd love your contributions!

  • Share your use cases and workflows
  • Report bugs or suggest features
  • Create tutorial videos
  • Test with different Cura versions
  • Help improve documentation

📄 License

Proprietary - See LICENSE file for details

👤 Author

Created by Christopher Nathan Drake

🔗 Links

❓ FAQ

Q: Does this work with my Cura version?
A: Tested with Cura 5.11+. Should work with any recent version that supports plugins.

Q: Do I need to know how to code?
A: No! You just talk to AI in plain English. AI handles all the technical details.

Q: Is my data private?
A: Yes! Everything runs locally on your computer. No cloud uploads required.

Q: Does this work offline?
A: Yes! All operations are local. You can even use local AI models if you prefer.

Q: Can I use this with ChatGPT/Claude/etc?
A: Yes! Works with any AI that supports MCP. For web-based AI, install the browser extension.

Q: What AI tools work with this?
A: 15+ tools auto-configure including Cursor, VS Code, Claude Desktop, all JetBrains IDEs, and more. See Installation for the full list.

Q: Can AI use my other Cura plugins?
A: Yes! AI can discover and work with any plugins you have installed.

Q: Is this safe?
A: AI can control Cura fully, so only use trusted AI tools. MCP-Link includes approval workflows for safety.

🌟 Star This Project!

If you find this useful, please star the repository and share with the 3D printing community!

Questions? Open an issue or check the documentation in

This is the future of AI-powered slicing. 🚀