Connect Claude Code to AutoCAD

Add CADshift once at user scope, so it is there in every project.

Add it

PowerShell

claude mcp add --scope user cadshift-autocad -- "$env:LOCALAPPDATA\Programs\CADshift\AutoCAD MCP\server\cadshift-mcp-autocad.exe"

Command Prompt (cmd)

claude mcp add --scope user cadshift-autocad -- "%LOCALAPPDATA%\Programs\CADshift\AutoCAD MCP\server\cadshift-mcp-autocad.exe"

Everything after -- is the command Claude Code runs. The shell expands the path before Claude Code sees it, so the stored entry has your real path.

Or let CADshift do it: --register claude-code (one command). It edits the same file, %USERPROFILE%\.claude.json, and only when Claude Code has already been set up for your account.

What it writes

The entry goes in the top-level mcpServers of %USERPROFILE%\.claude.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "cadshift-autocad": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "C:\\Users\\YOUR-NAME\\AppData\\Local\\Programs\\CADshift\\AutoCAD MCP\\server\\cadshift-mcp-autocad.exe",
      "args": [],
      "env": {}
    }
  }
}

Use the command above rather than editing this file by hand: Claude Code keeps a lot of other state in it.

Check it

claude mcp list

cadshift-autocad should show as connected. Inside a session, /mcp shows its status and tools. Open AutoCAD with a drawing and ask: “Use CADshift to list the layers in the open drawing.”

Remove it

claude mcp remove cadshift-autocad --scope user

Official guide: Connect Claude Code to tools via MCP.