How to install CAD Skills: Let Codex and Claude Code generate STEP, DXF, URDF and G-code

Text-to-cad CAD Skills installation and acceptance guide covering Codex/Claude Code plug-in, STEP/DXF/URDF/G-code output, dimension verification, slicing and print security.

This tutorial from CAD Skills focuses on the specific task in the title. STEP, DXF, URDF and G-code target different manufacturing or robotic processes; after the Agent generates the file, it must check the units, coordinates, closed contours and processing boundaries with an independent viewer.

Below is a demonstration using a test environment and revocable data. When accounts, keys, machine control, investments or emergency communications are involved, manual confirmation must be done.

The four output formats are selected according to the purpose.

This section only deals with “the four output formats are selected according to the purpose”. Save the current state first and then run the minimal test. Do not change multiple conditions at the same time.

1
Get-ChildItem -Name

For CAD Skills, this boundary must be combined when judging the results: STEP, DXF, URDF and G-code are oriented to different manufacturing or robotic processes; after the Agent generates the file, it must use an independent viewer to check the units, coordinates, closed contours and processing boundaries.

If the results are not repeatable, record the version, input, and logs, then narrow the scope of the test.

Installing Skill and installing CAD kernel are two different things

It is recommended to execute in the following order:

  1. Check the actual version and source.
  2. Use a test account, test directory, or test device.
  3. Perform an undoable action.
  4. Save the output, exit code, or screenshot.
  5. Revert the changes and re-verify.
1
Get-Command codex, python -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

The completion standard is “Installing Skill and installing CAD kernel are two different things” and getting verifiable results, rather than the command just not reporting an error.

The first STEP only makes blocks with holes

Check items Passing criteria Stop signal
The first STEP only makes squares with holes Input, output and permission ranges are clear The tool automatically expands the scope of operations
Source Can return to the official warehouse or original data Rely on unknown mirrors or second-hand conclusions
Security No secret value in log Token, cookie or private data present
Recovery Ability to return to pre-execution state No backup or undo methods
1
# 固定单位为 mm,并写明长宽高与孔径

When a stop signal appears, resume first and do not continue to the next step.

Check solids with standalone CAD viewer

This section only deals with “Inspecting Solids with a Standalone CAD Viewer”. Save the current state first and then run the minimal test. Do not change multiple conditions at the same time.

1
Get-ChildItem -Filter *.step

For CAD Skills, this boundary must be combined when judging the results: STEP, DXF, URDF and G-code are oriented to different manufacturing or robotic processes; after the Agent generates the file, it must use an independent viewer to check the units, coordinates, closed contours and processing boundaries.

If the results are not repeatable, record the version, input, and logs, then narrow the scope of the test.

DXF focus on checking closed contours and layers

It is recommended to execute in the following order:

  1. Check the actual version and source.
  2. Use a test account, test directory, or test device.
  3. Perform an undoable action.
  4. Save the output, exit code, or screenshot.
  5. Revert the changes and re-verify.
1
Get-ChildItem -Filter *.dxf

The completion standard is that “DXF focuses on checking closed contours and layers” to obtain verifiable results, rather than the command just not reporting an error.

URDF needs to verify mesh and joint at the same time

Check items Passing criteria Stop signal
URDF needs to verify mesh and joint at the same time Input, output and permission ranges are clear Tools automatically expand the scope of operations
Source Can return to the official warehouse or original data Rely on unknown mirrors or second-hand conclusions
Security No secret value in log Token, cookie or private data present
Recovery Ability to return to pre-execution state No backup or undo methods
1
Get-ChildItem -Recurse -Filter *.urdf

When a stop signal appears, resume first and do not continue to the next step.

G-code must never be given directly to the machine

This section only deals with “G-code must never be given directly to the machine”. Save the current state first and then run the minimal test. Do not change multiple conditions at the same time.

1
Get-ChildItem -Filter *.gcode

For CAD Skills, this boundary must be combined when judging the results: STEP, DXF, URDF and G-code are oriented to different manufacturing or robotic processes; after the Agent generates the file, it must use an independent viewer to check the units, coordinates, closed contours and processing boundaries.

If the results are not repeatable, record the version, input, and logs, then narrow the scope of the test.

Where does the unit error of 25.4 times come from?

It is recommended to execute in the following order:

  1. Check the actual version and source.
  2. Use a test account, test directory, or test device.
  3. Perform an undoable action.
  4. Save the output, exit code, or screenshot.
  5. Revert the changes and re-verify.
1
Select-String -Path *.dxf,*.gcode -Pattern 'inch|mm' -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

The completion standard is “Where does the unit error of 25.4 times come from” to get a verifiable result, rather than the command just not reporting an error.

The coordinate origin should be written in the task description

Check items Passing criteria Stop signal
The origin of the coordinates should be written in the task description Input, output and authority scope should be clear The tool automatically expands the operating scope
Source Can return to the official warehouse or original data Rely on unknown mirrors or second-hand conclusions
Security No secret value in log Token, cookie or private data present
Recovery Ability to return to pre-execution state No backup or undo methods
1
# 指定右手坐标系、原点和正方向

When a stop signal appears, resume first and do not continue to the next step.

Tolerance is not about letting the Agent guess by itself

This section only deals with “Tolerance is not letting the Agent guess by itself”. Save the current state first and then run the minimal test. Do not change multiple conditions at the same time.

1
# 明确尺寸公差、孔配合与材料

For CAD Skills, this boundary must be combined when judging the results: STEP, DXF, URDF and G-code are oriented to different manufacturing or robotic processes; after the Agent generates the file, it must use an independent viewer to check the units, coordinates, closed contours and processing boundaries.

If the results are not repeatable, record the version, input, and logs, then narrow the scope of the test.

The version of the external converter should be recorded

It is recommended to execute in the following order:

  1. Check the actual version and source.
  2. Use a test account, test directory, or test device.
  3. Perform an undoable action.
  4. Save the output, exit code, or screenshot.
  5. Revert the changes and re-verify.
1
python --version

The completion criterion is that “the version of the external converter must be recorded” and a verifiable result is obtained, rather than that the command just does not report an error.

Compare file size and number of entities before and after generation

Check items Passing criteria Stop signal
Compare the file size and number of entities before and after generation Clear input, output and permission ranges The tool automatically expands the scope of operations
Source Can return to the official warehouse or original data Rely on unknown mirrors or second-hand conclusions
Security No secret value in log Token, cookie or private data present
Recovery Ability to return to pre-execution state No backup or undo methods
1
Get-ChildItem *.step,*.dxf,*.urdf,*.gcode -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

When a stop signal appears, resume first and do not continue to the next step.

Slicing and simulation are pre-acceptance of G-code

This section only deals with “Slicing and simulation are G-code pre-acceptance”. Save the current state first and then run the minimal test. Do not change multiple conditions at the same time.

1
# 在离线仿真器中检查路径、速度和限位

For CAD Skills, this boundary must be combined when judging the results: STEP, DXF, URDF and G-code are oriented to different manufacturing or robotic processes; after the Agent generates the file, it must use an independent viewer to check the units, coordinates, closed contours and processing boundaries.

If the results are not repeatable, record the version, input, and logs, then narrow the scope of the test.

The robot model is statically loaded first.

It is recommended to execute in the following order:

  1. Check the actual version and source.
  2. Use a test account, test directory, or test device.
  3. Perform an undoable action.
  4. Save the output, exit code, or screenshot.
  5. Revert the changes and re-verify.
1
# 在可视化工具中检查 link 和 joint

The completion standard is that “the robot model is statically loaded first” to obtain verifiable results, not that the command happens to report no error.

Only change one geometric parameter during rework

Check items Passing criteria Stop signal
Only one geometric parameter is changed during rework Input, output and authority ranges are clear The tool automatically expands the operating range
Source Can return to the official warehouse or original data Rely on unknown mirrors or second-hand conclusions
Security No secret value in log Token, cookie or private data present
Recovery Ability to return to pre-execution state No backup or undo methods
1
git diff --stat

When a stop signal appears, resume first and do not continue to the next step.

Save specifications and verification screenshots upon delivery

This section only deals with “saving specifications and verification screenshots upon delivery”. Save the current state first and then run the minimal test. Do not change multiple conditions at the same time.

1
git status --short

For CAD Skills, this boundary must be combined when judging the results: STEP, DXF, URDF and G-code are oriented to different manufacturing or robotic processes; after the Agent generates the file, it must use an independent viewer to check the units, coordinates, closed contours and processing boundaries.

If the results are not repeatable, record the version, input, and logs, then narrow the scope of the test.

Dimensional tolerances and geometric constraints are described separately

It is recommended to execute in the following order:

  1. Check the actual version and source.
  2. Use a test account, test directory, or test device.
  3. Perform an undoable action.
  4. Save the output, exit code, or screenshot.
  5. Revert the changes and re-verify.
1
# 分别记录名义尺寸、公差和约束关系

The completion standard is to “describe dimensional tolerances and geometric constraints separately” to obtain verifiable results, rather than the command just not reporting an error.

STEP and DXF use the same datum size for mutual verification

Check items Passing criteria Stop signal
STEP and DXF use the same reference size for mutual verification Input, output and authority ranges are clear The tool automatically expands the operating scope
Source Can return to the official warehouse or original data Rely on unknown mirrors or second-hand conclusions
Security No secret value in log Token, cookie or private data present
Recovery Ability to return to pre-execution state No backup or undo methods
1
Get-ChildItem *.step,*.dxf -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

When a stop signal appears, resume first and do not continue to the next step.

Delivery documents must be accompanied by unit and coordinate descriptions

This section only deals with “delivery documents must be accompanied by unit and coordinate descriptions”. Save the current state first and then run the minimal test. Do not change multiple conditions at the same time.

1
Get-ChildItem *.md,*.step,*.dxf -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

For CAD Skills, this boundary must be combined when judging the results: STEP, DXF, URDF and G-code are oriented to different manufacturing or robotic processes; after the Agent generates the file, it must use an independent viewer to check the units, coordinates, closed contours and processing boundaries.

If the results are not repeatable, record the version, input, and logs, then narrow the scope of the test.

Final Check of CAD Skills

  • The versions and sources used are documented.
  • Test input and formal data have been isolated.
  • Commands, configurations and actual output can correspond.
  • The failed path was actively tested at least once.
  • Keys, accounts and private data do not enter Git or logs.
  • There are clear actions for upgrading, stopping and resuming.

If you still can’t explain how the results are produced, continue to keep the CAD Skills in a test environment without extending permissions or replacing existing stable processes.