Use OpenSCAD

Design parametric 3D and 2D parts in OpenSCAD and compile them to fabrication outputs with the openscad CLI. OpenSCAD is a functional code-based CAD language — modules and functions, CSG booleans, extrusion — ideal for an agent to write and iterate.

Process

1. Understand what the user wants (a printable part, a laser-cut plate, a preview image, a mesh conversion) and pick the target format (STL/3MF/AMF for 3D printing, DXF/SVG for 2D cutting, PNG for preview).
2. Locate and verify the binary (see "Locating the binary"). Run openscad_run --version first to confirm it works.
3. Author the .scad model using references/language.md for syntax. Make dimensions -D variables when the user wants parametric control from the command line.
4. Compile with the right flags from references/cli.md. Use references/workflows.md for end-to-end recipes and references/design.md for printability rules.
5. After STL/3MF export, scan stderr for manifold warnings (see CRITICAL rules) before declaring success.

CRITICAL operating rules