gcode Skill for Claude: What It Does and How to Install It

Makes Claude slice a 3D model into printer-ready G-code with OrcaSlicer, using your own printer, process and filament presets.

Installs: 10.3K; on skills.sh
Stars: 24.7K; on GitHub
Files: 3; besides SKILL.md
Updated: Nov 2026; last repo commit

This skill makes Claude slice .stl, .3mf or .obj models with OrcaSlicer, either headless from the command line or by opening the model in the app. It never contacts a printer. For a Bambu Lab printer it hands off through Bambu Connect, and for any other printer it gives you the .gcode file.

A bundled Python script, scripts/orca_presets.py, writes complete printer, process and filament presets from OrcaSlicer's own profiles, searching yours first. SKILL.md tells Claude to use the presets you print with and never invent one, since a wrong bed size or temperature can damage the printer.

Good for

3D printing users with an FDM printer (Prusa, Bambu Lab, Creality, Voron)
Makers who design parts with AI and need them sliced
Anyone who wants slicing from the command line, not the app

Install gcode

Claude Code

Copy this prompt.

Install the gcode skill in Claude Code. Run this command:

curl -fsSL https://texttocad.dev/install.sh | sh

Then check that it loaded and tell me how to use it.

2
Paste it into Claude Code. It shows the change and asks before running it.

Pick one route. The text-to-cad installer sets up all 12 skills and the local CAD server in every agent app on your computer (the README says it installs uv if missing, and running it again updates). The plugin routes install the same plugin for one app: 12 skills (counted from the repo's skills folder) and a local CAD server started with uvx, which the install guide says needs uv and downloads a runtime on first start. The skills-only routes install just this skill. Whichever you pick, install OrcaSlicer and Python 3 as the skill describes.

From the project README. Source.

What's in the skill

When it loads

Slice 3D models into printer-ready G-code with OrcaSlicer, the open-source slicer with built-in profiles for most FDM printers (Prusa, Bambu Lab, Creality, Voron and more). Use when the user wants an `.stl`, `.3mf` or `.obj` model sliced for their printer, as a sliced `.gcode.3mf` or plain `.gcode`, headless with OrcaSlicer's command line or by opening the model in OrcaSlicer. Never contacts a printer.

Sections in SKILL.md

Install OrcaSlicer
Slice headless
Open in OrcaSlicer
Check before printing
Hand off

Key facts

Author: earthtojake (text-to-cad)
License: MIT (SKILL.md frontmatter; the repo README badge also says MIT)
Installs on skills.sh: 10,331 (Nov 2, 2026)
GitHub stars: 24,721 for the whole earthtojake/text-to-cad repo (Nov 2, 2026)
Last repo commit: Nov 1, 2026
What it includes: 4 files including SKILL.md: scripts/orca_presets.py, agents/openai.yaml and a LICENSE file
Needs: OrcaSlicer, and Python 3 for the bundled preset script (no dependencies)
Part of: The text-to-cad plugin (version 0.10.0) in earthtojake/text-to-cad. The repo has 12 skills, and the plugin starts a local CAD server
Works in: Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, Gemini and Grok, per the repo README

What it includes

brew install --cask orcaslicer on macOS, release download elsewhere
On macOS the skill uses Homebrew. On Windows and Linux it points to the OrcaSlicer releases page and the orca-slicer command.
Runs code · Install OrcaSlicer
orca_presets.py --list machine, process or filament with --match
Lists the printer, process and filament presets that match a name such as MK4S, from your own OrcaSlicer presets first and then the built-in profiles.
Try: “Slice model.stl for my Prusa MK4S with PLA.”
Runs code · Find presets
orca_presets.py --printer, --process, --filament, --out
Writes printer.json, process.json and filament files in full, because the OrcaSlicer command line does not fill in a preset's parent settings.
Runs code · Write complete presets
OrcaSlicer CLI with --slice 0, --outputdir and --export-3mf
Produces plate_1.gcode and a sliced model.gcode.3mf in the folder you name. Single settings can be overridden, such as --layer-height=0.16.
Runs code · Slice headless
open -a OrcaSlicer, Start-Process or orca-slicer
Opens the model in the app when you want to pick presets and slice yourself, or when no preset can be found.
Runs code · Open in OrcaSlicer
--info for size, and a grep of the G-code settings footer
Checks the model fits the bed, then greps printer model, nozzle, filament type and temperatures in the G-code so you can confirm them.
Runs code · Check before printing
Bambu Connect for Bambu Lab, the .gcode file for others
For other printers you print from the printer's app, its web interface (PrusaLink, OctoPrint, Mainsail, Fluidd) or an SD card.
Read · Hand off

From the official docs

Permissions

Medium risk

Claude runs OrcaSlicer and a bundled Python script, and writes preset and G-code files. A wrong preset can send bad temperatures to your printer, so check the settings before you print.

What it can do

Read your data
Create and change things
Delete things
Read-only mode

Watch out for

Wrong settings can damage the printer
SKILL.md says never to invent a preset, since a wrong bed size or temperature can damage the printer. Run its grep on the G-code and confirm printer, nozzle, filament and temperatures before printing. github.com
It may install software
The skill installs OrcaSlicer with Homebrew on macOS, or points you to a release download on Windows and Linux. Review the command before you approve it. github.com
The plugin route adds a CAD server and telemetry
The text-to-cad plugin runs cad-mcp 0.10.0 through uvx. The README says usage stats and crash reports are sent by default with a random ID and never your files, paths or prompts. The skills-only routes do not add the server. github.com
The preset script reads and writes local files
The script imports only argparse, json, os, pathlib and sys. Its header says it reads and writes JSON files and nothing else. It searches your OrcaSlicer folders and the built-in profiles. github.com

Security advisories

No published security advisories as of Nov 2, 2026.

Technical details

Turning on read-only	No read-only mode. Use version control.
Talks to	OrcaSlicer download from github.com/OrcaSlicer/OrcaSlicer/releases on Windows and Linux (linked in SKILL.md). Homebrew download on macOS
Sign-in and keys	SKILL.md mentions no account or key.
Scopes	Claude can run brew install --cask orcaslicer on macOS Claude runs scripts/orca_presets.py, which reads OrcaSlicer preset folders and writes JSON presets to the folder you choose Claude runs the OrcaSlicer command line, which writes plate_1.gcode and a .gcode.3mf SKILL.md says the agent never contacts a printer

Questions

What does the gcode skill do?

It makes Claude slice a 3D model into G-code with OrcaSlicer. Claude builds complete presets from your printer profiles, runs the slicer and checks the settings before you print.

How do I install gcode?

Use the install box at the top of this page. You also need OrcaSlicer and Python 3, which SKILL.md says how to install.

Does it send the print to my printer?

No. SKILL.md says the agent never contacts a printer. For a Bambu Lab printer you send the .gcode.3mf through Bambu Connect, and for other printers you print the .gcode yourself.

Does it work in the Claude app?

The install box has no Claude app upload for it, because the skill runs OrcaSlicer and a Python script on your computer. Use Claude Code. The repo README also names Codex, Cursor, Gemini and Grok.

Can I slice a STEP file?

Not directly from the command line. SKILL.md says the OrcaSlicer command line reads .stl, .3mf, .obj and .amf, so export STEP to STL or 3MF first. The OrcaSlicer app also reads STEP.

Should I install the whole text-to-cad plugin?

Only if you want the CAD skills too. The plugin has 12 skills and starts a local CAD server through uvx. The README says text-to-cad sends usage stats and crash reports by default, tagged with a random ID and never including your files, paths or prompts, and links a privacy policy that says how to turn it off.

Is it safe?

It bundles one Python script and runs OrcaSlicer on your files. The real risk is a wrong preset, because SKILL.md says a wrong bed size or temperature can damage the printer. Check the settings it prints against your printer and material before anyone prints.

Information

updated Nov 2, 2026

Repository: earthtojake/text-to-cad
Folder: skills/gcode

earthtojake/text-to-cad skills.sh

Sources

Docs, issue trackers and discussions this page is built from.

Show all 5

gcode SKILL.md · github.com
text-to-cad README · github.com
text-to-cad install guide · github.com
claude.mcp.json · github.com
orca_presets.py · github.com