Ankus Drive MCP Server

A CLI + MCP server that drives FreeCAD through its Python API so LLMs (and humans at a terminal) can design mechanical parts and run FEM simulations without clicking through the GUI. It runs locally over stdio via the published package.

People who work with cad, cfd and fem and want it reachable from Claude, Cursor, VS Code, or another MCP client. The project is written in Python.

VERIFIED ACTIVE

LAST COMMIT 2026-09-18 · ★ 5 · #33 OF 85 MAINTAINED DESIGN · VERIFIED 2026-09-18

Apache-2.0 · Python servers · how we verify → /methodology

01 · Install Ankus Drive

before you install - you'll need

Set ANKUSDRIVE_FREECADCMD, FREECAD_PREFIX, FREECAD_PY before connecting.

Claude Code

claude mcp add gchen19-ankusdrive -- uvx ankusdrive

Claude Desktop / Cursor / VS Code - add to config

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "gchen19-ankusdrive": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": [
        "ankusdrive"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Same JSON for Cursor. For VS Code, rename the top-level key from `mcpServers` to `servers`.

Using another client? Same JSON, different key

Claude Desktop · mcpServers

Cursor · mcpServers

VS Code · servers

Windsurf · mcpServers

Zed · context_servers

Cline · mcpServers

Roo Code · mcpServers

Continue · mcpServers

LibreChat · mcpServers

Gemini CLI · mcpServers

Codex CLI · mcp_servers

Full setup guides: every client.

02 · Evidence

Security posture

What to check before giving this server access to your agent - from the registry, GitHub, and our own probes. We don't score safety; we show what's verifiable.

runs as local process (stdio) - runs on your machine with your user's permissions

license Apache-2.0 - declared in the repository

pypi package ankusdrive - check the name against the project README before installing (PyPI has no namespace ownership)

registry namespace io.github.gchen19 is GitHub-verified and matches the repo owner

03 · What Ankus Drive can do

Prose above is summarized from the project's README and registry record - no invented capabilities.

Latest releases

v0.5.5 · 2026-09-14

The release that answers Anthropic's Software Directory Policy point by point. A · session used to pay ~114k tokens of tool definitions before its first call; tools now · come in families an install switches on, and…

v0.5.4 · 2026-09-14

The release that makes AnkusDrive reviewable as a desktop extension. Every one of the · 281 tools now says what it is and whether it can change your work, so clients can run · the read-only ones unasked and confirm the…

v0.5.3 · 2026-09-13

The release that makes AnkusDrive a one-click install. Every GitHub release now · carries an .mcpb bundle for Claude Desktop, the same file the Smithery listing · distributes, and it was verified end to end in Claude…

04 · Who maintains Ankus Drive

AnkusDrive is maintained by gchen19. It's the only MCP server we track from this author; the repo dates to Apr 2026.

05 · Facts

repository: github.com/gchen19/ankusdrive
website: https://github.com/gchen19/AnkusDrive
category: design - ranked #33 of 85 actively-maintained design servers as of 2026-09-18.
release cadence: 6 releases in the last 90 days (latest 2026-09-14)
registry: io.github.gchen19/ankusdrive (active, first published 2026-09-12 · 4 versions)
packages: pypi:ankusdrive

06 · Ankus Drive FAQ

What is Ankus Drive?

Is Ankus Drive still maintained?

Yes - as of 2026-09-18, its last commit was 2026-09-18 and it shipped 6 releases in the last 90 days. We re-verify nightly.

How do I install Ankus Drive?

Run `uvx ankusdrive`. The README documents 3 environment variables (ANKUSDRIVE_FREECADCMD, FREECAD_PREFIX, FREECAD_PY) to set first. Set ANKUSDRIVE_FREECADCMD, FREECAD_PREFIX, FREECAD_PY before connecting. You can also paste the ready-made client config above.

Does Ankus Drive run locally?

Yes - it's a stdio server: it runs on your machine (via uvx) with your user's permissions. Your data stays local unless the server itself calls external APIs.

07 · Alternatives to Ankus Drive

Alternatives to Ankus Drive

Maintained design servers if Ankus Drive isn't the fit.

More design MCP servers · SCORM Packager (HTML → SCORM 2004) · Mellos Mapping · Saglitzdesign MCP · Uisandbox (ideelab)

More Python MCP servers · Cloud Audit · Surf · SSH MCP · Piaso MCP · Preprint Fulltext · see all