@moicad/cli

Command-line interface for moicad - Modern JavaScript CAD Platform.

Provides a local web UI, headless build tools, and API server for CAD operations.

Installation

$3

``bash
npm install -g @moicad/cli


or


bun add -g @moicad/cli
`

$3

`bash
npm install @moicad/cli


or


bun add @moicad/cli
`

Quick Start

`bash


Launch web UI (opens browser at localhost:42069)

moicad

Start server without opening browser

moicad serve

Compile a file to JSON

moicad build model.scad

Export to STL

moicad export model.scad -f stl

Initialize new project

moicad init my-project
`

Commands

$3

Starts the local web server and opens the browser.

`bash


Launch with default file

moicad

Open specific file

moicad launch cube.scad

Custom port

moicad launch --port 3000
`

Options:
- --port, -p - Server port (default: 42069)
- --host - Bind host (default: localhost)
- --no-open - Don't open browser automatically

$3

Starts the API server without opening a browser. Useful for:
- Running as a background service
- Using with external tools
- API-only mode

`bash


Start server on default port

moicad serve

Custom port and host

moicad serve --port 8080 --host 0.0.0.0
`

Options:
- --port, -p - Server port (default: 42069)
- --host - Bind host (default: localhost)

$3

Compiles OpenSCAD or JavaScript code to geometry JSON (headless).

`bash


Build to stdout

moicad build model.scad

Save to file

moicad build model.scad -o output.json

JavaScript file

moicad build model.js

With animation (specify time value)

moicad build animation.scad -t 0.5
`

Options:
- -o, --output - Output file path
- -t, --time - Animation time value (0-1)
- --pretty - Pretty-print JSON output
- --stats - Include geometry statistics

Output Format:
`json
{
"geometry": {
"vertices": [...],
"indices": [...],
"normals": [...],
"bounds": { "min": [x,y,z], "max": [x,y,z] },
"stats": {
"vertexCount": 1234,
"faceCount": 567,
"volume": 1000.5
}
},
"success": true,
"executionTime": 45.2
}
`

$3

Exports geometry to STL, OBJ, or other formats.

`bash


Export to STL

moicad export model.scad -f stl

Custom output filename

moicad export model.scad -f stl -o custom-name.stl

Export to OBJ

moicad export model.js -f obj

Animation frame export

moicad export animation.scad -f stl -t 0.5 -o frame-50.stl
`

Options:
- -f, --format - Output format (stl, obj) [required]
- -o, --output - Output filename
- -t, --time - Animation time value (0-1)
- --ascii - Use ASCII STL format (default: binary)

$3

Creates a new moicad project with starter files.

`bash


Create project in current directory

moicad init

Create project in new directory

moicad init my-cad-project

With template

moicad init my-project --template javascript
`

Options:
- --template - Project template (openscad, javascript, typescript)
- --no-install - Skip dependency installation

Generated Structure:
`
my-project/
├── package.json
├── README.md
├── models/
│ ├── example.scad
│ └── example.js
└── .gitignore
`

$3

Shows version information.

`bash
moicad --version


moicad CLI v0.1.0

SDK v0.1.10

`

$3

Updates moicad to the latest version.

`bash
moicad --update
`

API Server

When running moicad launch or moicad serve, a local API server starts with these endpoints:

$3

Evaluates OpenSCAD or JavaScript code to geometry.

Request:
`json
{
"code": "cube(10);",
"language": "openscad",
"t": 0.5 // Optional: animation time (0-1)
}
`

Response:
`json
{
"geometry": { / ... / },
"success": true,
"errors": [],
"executionTime": 45.2
}
`

$3

Parses OpenSCAD code to AST.

Request:
`json
{
"code": "sphere(5);"
}
`

Response:
`json
{
"ast": [ / ... / ],
"success": true,
"errors": []
}
`

$3

Exports geometry to STL/OBJ format.

Request:
`json
{
"geometry": { / ... / },
"format": "stl"
}
`

Response: Binary file (application/octet-stream)

$3

Health check endpoint.

Response:
`json
{
"status": "ok",
"timestamp": 1234567890
}
`

Configuration

$3

`bash


Server port

MOICAD_PORT=42069

Server host

MOICAD_HOST=localhost

Log level

MOICAD_LOG_LEVEL=info
`

$3

Create .moicadrc.json in your project:

`json
{
"port": 42069,
"host": "localhost",
"autoOpen": true,
"editor": {
"defaultLanguage": "openscad",
"theme": "vs-dark"
}
}
`

Programmatic Usage

Use the CLI as a library in your Node/Bun scripts:

`typescript
import { createServer, evaluateFile, exportFile } from '@moicad/cli';

// Start server programmatically
const server = createServer({ port: 42069 });

// Evaluate file
const result = await evaluateFile('model.scad');
console.log(result.geometry);

// Export file
await exportFile('model.scad', 'output.stl', { format: 'stl' });
`

Integration

$3

Add to .vscode/tasks.json:

`json
{
"label": "moicad: Build",
"type": "shell",
"command": "moicad build ${file}",
"problemMatcher": []
}
`

$3

`yaml
- name: Install moicad
run: npm install -g @moicad/cli

- name: Build models
run: moicad build models/*.scad
`

$3

`dockerfile
FROM oven/bun:latest
RUN bun add -g @moicad/cli
EXPOSE 42069
CMD ["moicad", "serve", "--host", "0.0.0.0"]
`

Troubleshooting

$3

`bash


Use a different port


moicad launch --port 3000
`

$3

`bash


Use sudo (macOS/Linux)

sudo npm install -g @moicad/cli

Or use local install

npm install @moicad/cli
npx moicad launch
`

$3

The CLI loads the full-featured @moicad/gui CADEditor component via CDN. Features include:

- Monaco Code Editor - Syntax highlighting for OpenSCAD and JavaScript
- 3D Viewport - Real-time rendering with orbit controls
- File Manager - Save/load models to browser storage
- Top Menu - File, Edit, View, and Help menus
- Printer Settings - 3D printer bed presets (Ender 3, Prusa i3, etc.)
- Animation Export - Export animated models as GIF/WebM
- Geometry Stats - Vertex count, face count, volume calculations
- Error Display - Detailed error messages with syntax highlighting

All dependencies (React, Three.js, Monaco) are loaded from CDN, so the CLI binary stays lightweight.

Architecture

$3

The CLI server (packages/cli/src/server.ts) serves a minimal HTML page that:
1. Loads dependencies from CDN (React, ReactDOM, Three.js, Monaco)
2. Dynamically imports @moicad/gui/components CADEditor from CDN
3. Renders the full-featured editor to the DOM
4. Proxies API calls to the local Bun server (/api/evaluate, /api/parse, /api/export)

This approach provides:
- Zero build complexity - Dependencies loaded from CDN at runtime
- Lightweight binary - CLI build is only ~1.75 MB
- Separation of concerns - GUI package managed independently in packages/gui
- Development flexibility - CADEditor can be updated in @moicad/gui without rebuilding CLI

$3

The CLI dynamically serves manifold.wasm from the @moicad/sdk package with proper caching headers:
- Primary path: node_modules/@moicad/sdk/../manifold-3d/manifold.wasm
- Fallback: node_modules/manifold-3d/manifold.wasm
- Cache-Control: public, max-age=31536000 (1 year)

Development

`bash


Clone repository

git clone https://github.com/moikas/moicad.git
cd moicad

Install dependencies

bun install

Build CLI

cd packages/cli
bun run build

Link for local development

bun link

Test CLI

moicad --version

Development mode (with live editing)

bun run dev:server # Terminal 1
cd packages/gui && bun run dev # Terminal 2 (optional, for GUI development)
``

System Requirements

- Node.js: >= 18.0.0 (or Bun >= 1.0.0)
- OS: macOS, Linux, Windows
- Memory: 512MB+ recommended
- Disk: 50MB for installation

License

MIT

Links

- GitHub Repository
- Documentation
- Web App
- @moicad/sdk - Core CAD engine
- @moicad/gui - React components
- Report Issues

Related

- OpenSCAD: Compatible with OpenSCAD syntax
- manifold-3d: CSG engine used internally
- Three.js: 3D rendering library