Three minutes. Then ask your AI to make something.

  1. 1

    Install Kiln

    Here’s what happens: you’ll install a few free tools (Python, Kiln, and OpenSCAD — the engine Kiln designs with), connect Kiln to your AI app, then ask it to make something. There’s a download or two, so give it a few minutes.

    Easiest — let your AI do the whole thing

    Using Claude Code, Codex, or another AI that can run commands on your computer? Paste this to it and it installs and connects Kiln for you — no terminal needed:

    Set up Kiln (kiln3d.com) on my computer. If Python 3.10+
isn't installed, install it first. Then run pip install kiln3d.
Then run kiln signin, then kiln install-mcp to connect Kiln
to this agent. Finish with kiln doctor and show me the result.
Tell me if I need to restart anything.

    Using Claude Desktop? It can’t run commands for you, so this prompt won’t install anything — that’s the snag most people hit. Use the manual steps below instead: you’ll paste a couple of lines into Terminal once, and we tell you exactly what each one does.

    Or do it yourself — pick your platform below (this is the path for Claude Desktop). Each has copy-paste commands.

    Prerequisites

    Python 3.10 or newer. macOS 13+ ships with a compatible version, or install via Homebrew:

    brew install python@3.10

    Install Kiln

    The recommended install uses pipx for an isolated environment:

    brew install pipx && pipx ensurepath pipx install kiln3d

    Or use pip directly:

    pip install kiln3d

    Install OpenSCAD

    OpenSCAD is the engine Kiln designs with — install it once:

    brew install --cask openscad@snapshot

    Install from Source

    git clone https://github.com/codeofaxel/Kiln.git cd Kiln && pip install -e ./kiln

    One-Line Installer

    Clones the repo and installs via pipx automatically:

    git clone https://github.com/codeofaxel/Kiln.git ~/.kiln/src && ~/.kiln/src/install.sh

    Prerequisites

    Install Python 3.10+ and pip:

    # Debian / Ubuntu sudo apt install python3 python3-pip python3-venv
    # Fedora / RHEL sudo dnf install python3 python3-pip

    Install Kiln

    The recommended install uses pipx for an isolated environment:

    sudo apt install pipx && pipx ensurepath pipx install kiln3d

    Or use pip directly:

    pip install kiln3d

    Install from Source

    git clone https://github.com/codeofaxel/Kiln.git cd Kiln && pip install -e ./kiln

    One-Line Installer

    Clones the repo and installs via pipx automatically:

    git clone https://github.com/codeofaxel/Kiln.git ~/.kiln/src && ~/.kiln/src/install.sh

    Install OpenSCAD & a slicer

    OpenSCAD is the engine Kiln designs with; PrusaSlicer prepares your prints.

    # OpenSCAD = design engine, PrusaSlicer = slicing for printing sudo apt install openscad prusa-slicer

    Fastest: let your AI agent install it

    Already have Claude Code (or another agent with terminal access) on this PC? Paste this and it does the whole setup for you:

    # Paste this to your agent Set up Kiln (kiln3d.com) on my Windows PC. If Python 3.10+ isn't installed, install it with winget. Then run pip install kiln3d. Then run kiln install-mcp to connect Kiln to this agent. Then run kiln doctor and show me the result. Tell me if I need to restart anything.

    Manual setup: install Python

    Kiln needs Python 3.10 or newer. Open PowerShell and run:

    winget install Python.Python.3.12

    No winget? Install from python.org/downloads — and in the installer, tick “Add Python to PATH”. Avoid the Microsoft Store “python” shortcut; it causes PATH problems.

    Install Kiln

    Close PowerShell and open it again first, so it picks up the new Python. Then:

    pip install kiln3d

    Install OpenSCAD

    OpenSCAD is the engine Kiln designs with — download and install it from openscad.org/downloads.

    Connect your AI agent

    Wire Kiln into Claude Desktop, Claude Code, or Codex:

    kiln install-mcp

    If it asks you to sign in first, run kiln signin. Restart your agent afterward, then confirm everything works with kiln doctor.

    You’re on the right tab

    This setup lets Kiln find your 3D printer on your home network by itself — nothing to look up or type in. The WSL 2 tab next to it is a niche option for advanced Linux setups; if you’re not sure you need it, you don’t.

    Prerequisites

    Inside your WSL 2 Ubuntu terminal, install Python 3.10+ and pip:

    sudo apt install python3 python3-pip python3-venv

    Install Kiln

    The recommended install uses pipx for an isolated environment:

    sudo apt install pipx && pipx ensurepath pipx install kiln3d

    Or use pip directly:

    pip install kiln3d

    Install from Source

    git clone https://github.com/codeofaxel/Kiln.git cd Kiln && pip install -e ./kiln
    WSL 2 Networking Note

    mDNS printer discovery (kiln discover) does not work in WSL 2 because of NAT networking. Use your printer's IP address directly instead (works for Ethernet and Wi-Fi LAN setups):

    # Connect directly by IP address kiln auth --name my-printer --host http://192.168.1.x:port --type octoprint --api-key YOUR_KEY

    Install OpenSCAD & a slicer

    OpenSCAD is the engine Kiln designs with; PrusaSlicer prepares your prints.

    # OpenSCAD = design engine, PrusaSlicer = slicing for printing sudo apt install openscad prusa-slicer
  2. 2

    Connect your AI

    Two quick commands — Kiln sets itself up inside Claude Desktop, Claude Code, and Codex.

    kiln signin        # create your free account
kiln install-mcp   # connects Kiln to your AI apps

    Restart your AI app and it can run your printer. (Used the easiest path in step 1? This already happened.)

    How you’ll know it worked: ask your AI “is Kiln connected?” and it’ll confirm Kiln is loaded and ready. That’s it — you’re set up.

    Using a different AI app? Paste the config yourself

    kiln install-mcp --print prints this for any MCP-compatible app:

    {
  "mcpServers": {
    "kiln": {
      "command": "python3",
      "args": [
        "-m",
        "kiln",
        "serve"
      ]
    }
  }
}
  3. 3

    Ask — and here’s what to say first

    Once Kiln is connected, just describe what you want in plain English — no special commands. Try something like:

    I have a Bambu A1, make me a coaster with my dog’s photo on it

You’re ready to print.

Free covers your first prints. Pro covers the rest of the workflow — version your designs, modify them mid-print, and leave the room while your agent handles the rest.

Get Pro →

$49 / month

Once installed, Kiln tells you when there’s a new version — run kiln self-update to upgrade, so you never have to check back here.

Stuck on install? See common questions →