Node.js TypeScript License: MIT MCP SDK Civil 3D Issues

What Is This?

Civil3D-MCP bridges AI assistants (Claude, Cline, Cursor, etc.) to a live, open Civil 3D drawing using the Model Context Protocol. Give Claude your design brief — it reads your drawing, runs calculations, and makes changes in real time.

MCP client  <-- stdio ----------->  civil3d-mcp (Node.js)
HTTP client <-- HTTP :3000 ------>  civil3d-mcp (Node.js)
civil3d-mcp <-- JSON-RPC/TCP :8080 --> Civil3DMcpPlugin.dll --> Civil 3D 2026 API

This is the MCP server (TypeScript). You also need the Civil 3D .NET plugin — see Installation.

What Changed Recently

  • Production-ready host execution now includes bounded queues and jobs, cancellation, idempotency, structured telemetry, readiness endpoints, and observable rotating plugin logs.
  • New: civil3d_help searches the locally installed Autodesk Civil 3D help, returns cited topics with screenshots, and surfaces matching tutorial videos in chat.
  • The default MCP surface is compact: 34 public tools cover every domain. The complete 219-tool surface can be enabled when a client needs specialized aliases.
  • Native workflow handlers cover major QC, grading, hydrology, plan-production, and data-shortcut flows instead of relying only on client-side orchestration.
  • Claude Code can be registered with a single project-scoped command that installs dependencies, builds the Node server, and writes the repo .mcp.json entry.
  • Claude Desktop now has a self-contained MCPB installer plus a legacy DXT compatibility artifact, generated with npm run package:claude.
  • The release-checked inventory is generated from the runtime manifest at docs/tools.generated.md.

Autodesk Help in Chat

Agents can now answer Civil 3D how-to questions from the Autodesk Offline Help installed on the user's machine. The civil3d_help tool auto-discovers Civil 3D help under Program Files, builds a local search index, and returns:

  • cleaned, version-matched Autodesk topic text with a canonical citation;
  • useful screenshots and diagrams directly in the chat response;
  • the best matching Autodesk tutorial video as a player resource;
  • a direct MP4 link when the chat client cannot embed the player.

For example, an agent can search for grading guidance:

{
  "action": "search",
  "query": "how do I create grading criteria?",
  "version": "2026"
}

Or request only matching videos:

{
  "action": "search_videos",
  "query": "create grading criteria",
  "maxVideos": 2
}

The bundled 2026 catalog currently contains 47 Civil 3D tutorial videos. See the Autodesk grading-criteria video for an example. Topic and image retrieval remains local and works without the Civil 3D drawing plugin; Autodesk-hosted video playback requires internet access.

The first topic query creates a compressed cache under %LOCALAPPDATA%\Civil3DMcp\help-index. Later queries reuse that cache and full topic retrieval is effectively immediate. See Local Autodesk help search for configuration and additional examples.

Quick Start

If you want the fastest path from clone to a working Claude + Civil 3D setup on Windows:

For Claude Desktop, a release .mcpb is the easiest Node-side installation:

  1. Open Settings > Extensions > Advanced settings > Install Extension.
  2. Select civil3d-mcp-<version>.mcpb and keep ports 8080 and 3000 unless your local setup uses different ports.
  3. Open Civil 3D and load the native plugin with NETLOAD or the APPLOAD Startup Suite.
  4. Ask Claude to run civil3d_health.

The extension installs the Node MCP server and its production dependencies. It does not install the native Autodesk plugin. Maintainers can build both the current .mcpb and legacy .dxt files with:

npm install
npm run package:claude

For a source-based or Claude Code installation:

  1. Clone and build the Node side:

    git clone https://github.com/Sacred-G/Civil3D-mcp.git
cd Civil3D-mcp
npm install
npm run build

  2. Build and NETLOAD the Civil 3D plugin:

    dotnet build .\Civil3D-MCP-Plugin\Civil3DMcpPlugin.csproj -c Release `
  /p:Civil3DReferencesPath="C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2026\C3D"

  3. Register Claude Code for this repo:

    npm run claude:add

  4. Open Civil 3D, load the plugin, and start asking for real work:

    • "Audit this drawing before design starts."
    • "Create a grading surface from this feature line."
    • "Delineate the watershed and estimate runoff."
    • "Publish the plan/profile sheets to PDF."

Features

  • Compact default MCP surface with 34 public tools; all 219 registered routes remain internally callable or available as opt-in aliases
  • Local Autodesk help in chat — version-matched topics, screenshots, diagrams, citations, and playable Civil 3D tutorial videos
  • Native workflow execution for corridor QC, surface comparison, project startup, grading conversion, plan publish, data shortcuts, and hydrology pipelines
  • Full road design pipeline — alignments, profiles, corridors, cross-sections, superelevation
  • Surface analysis — elevation bands, slope distribution, aspect, watershed, cut/fill volumes
  • Pipe & pressure network design, validation, and hydraulic analysis
  • Plan production — sheet sets, Plan/Profile sheets, PDF export
  • QC checks — alignment, profile, corridor, surface, pipe network, drawing standards
  • Quantity takeoff — earthwork, corridor materials, pipe lengths, parcel areas, CSV export
  • Cost estimation — pay items, material costs, construction estimates
  • Hydrology — flow path tracing, watershed delineation, Rational Method runoff, time of concentration
  • Grading — feature lines, grading groups, grading criteria, surface generation
  • COGO/Survey — inverse, traverse, curve solve, survey figures, LandXML import
  • Storm & Sanitary Analysis (SSA) integration and detention basin sizing
  • Intersection design and corridor target mapping
  • Sight distance calculations and AASHTO stopping sight distance checks
  • Assembly/subassembly creation and editing

Protected action flow

Destructive, file-writing, import/export, and other non-retryable drawing mutations use a three-step policy flow:

  1. Call civil3d_preview_action with the target toolName, action, and the exact parameters to validate the operation and learn whether approval is required.
  2. If required, call civil3d_request_approval with the same values. It issues a short-lived, single-use token bound to the active drawing and those exact parameters.
  3. Retry the target tool call with approvalToken. Changing the drawing, action, or parameters invalidates the token.

Set CIVIL3D_APPROVAL_MODE=disabled only for isolated local development or test environments; production deployments should retain the default policy.

Canonical tools and aliases

Aliases do not unlock extra Civil 3D capabilities. They are narrower convenience names for actions already available through a canonical domain tool.

Surface Exposed tools How to call an operation
Default MCP client 34 Call a canonical domain tool and provide action.
MCP client with aliases enabled 219 Use either canonical tools or specialized alias names.
HTTP /execute and orchestration 219 All registered routes remain internally callable in either mode.

For example, these calls are equivalent:

{
  "tool": "civil3d_surface",
  "parameters": {
    "action": "volume_calculate",
    "baseSurface": "Existing Ground",
    "comparisonSurface": "Finished Grade"
  }
}

{
  "tool": "civil3d_surface_volume_calculate",
  "parameters": {
    "baseSurface": "Existing Ground",
    "comparisonSurface": "Finished Grade"
  }
}

The compact default is recommended because it gives the model fewer overlapping tool descriptions while preserving every operation. To expose all specialized aliases, set this variable in the environment that starts the MCP server, then restart the client connection:

$env:CIVIL3D_ENABLE_TOOL_ALIASES = "true"
npm run start

For a client-managed server, put the variable in its MCP configuration:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "civil3d-mcp": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": ["C:/path/to/civil3d-mcp/build/index.js"],
      "env": {
        "CIVIL3D_ENABLE_TOOL_ALIASES": "true"
      }
    }
  }
}

Discover operations through the civil3d://catalog/tools MCP resource or docs/tools.generated.md. Canonical rows list their supported actions; alias rows provide the corresponding convenience name. Approval requirements are identical for canonical and alias calls.

Architecture

flowchart LR
    Client["MCP Client\n(Claude / Cline / Cursor)"] <-->|"MCP stdio"| Server["civil3d-mcp\nNode.js"]
    HttpClient["Local HTTP Client"] -->|"HTTP :3000"| Server
    Server <-->|"JSON-RPC/TCP :8080"| Plugin

    subgraph Civil3D ["Autodesk Civil 3D"]
        Plugin["Civil3DMcpPlugin.dll\nTCP Listener"]
        Queue["Bounded Host Queue"]
        Context["ExecuteInCommandContextAsync"]
        Safety["Document Lock + Transaction"]
        API["Civil 3D 2026 .NET API"]

        Plugin --> Queue --> Context --> Safety --> API
    end

Civil 3D database operations execute inside Autodesk command context under a bounded, serialized host gate. Mutations additionally use a document lock and a narrow transaction; callers never mutate a drawing directly from Node.js.

Requirements

Component Version
Node.js 18+
Civil 3D 2026 (live validated)
.NET SDK 8.0
Civil 3D API refs Licensed local installation or untracked reference directory
Visual Studio 2022 recommended

Installation

1 — Build the MCP Server (TypeScript)

git clone https://github.com/Sacred-G/Civil3D-mcp.git
cd Civil3D-mcp
npm install
npm run build

1.5 — One-Line Claude Code Setup

From the repo root on Windows, this project-scoped command adds the MCP server to Claude Code and creates the repo .mcp.json entry automatically:

claude mcp add --scope project --transport stdio civil3d-mcp -- powershell -NoProfile -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File "$PWD\scripts\claude-bootstrap-and-run.ps1"

The registered launcher will automatically install npm dependencies and build the Node server the first time Claude starts it.

If you want a wrapper that does the install, build, and claude mcp add step for you immediately, run:

npm run claude:add

Useful variants:

npm run claude:add:user
npm run claude:print-add

1.6 — Claude Desktop Extension Package

Current Claude Desktop releases install MCP extensions from .mcpb files. The former DXT format was renamed to MCPB, so the packaging command also emits a byte-for-byte .dxt compatibility copy for older releases:

npm run package:claude

Generated files are written to dist/claude-desktop/ and include SHA-256 checksums. Install the .mcpb from Claude Desktop > Settings > Extensions > Advanced settings > Install Extension. The package exposes installer fields for the Civil 3D host and plugin port, alias mode, log level, and the local HTTP bridge port (default 3000).

2 — Build & Load the C# Plugin

Prerequisites: Civil 3D 2026, .NET 8 SDK, and licensed local Civil 3D managed API assemblies. Autodesk binaries are intentionally not tracked or published by this repository.

$refs = "C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2026\C3D"
dotnet build .\Civil3D-MCP-Plugin\Civil3DMcpPlugin.csproj -c Release `
  /p:Civil3DReferencesPath="$refs"
# Output: Civil3D-MCP-Plugin\bin\Release\net8.0-windows\Civil3DMcpPlugin.dll

An untracked C_References directory remains the local fallback when Civil3DReferencesPath is omitted.

At minimum, the configured directory must contain:

accoremgd.dll
AcDbMgd.dll
acmgd.dll
AecBaseMgd.dll
AeccDbMgd.dll
AeccPressurePipesMgd.dll

Load into Civil 3D:

Method Steps
Manual (NETLOAD) Open Civil 3D → type NETLOAD → browse to Civil3D-MCP-Plugin.dll
Autoload (recommended) Add registry key — see DEPLOYMENT.md

Once loaded, three commands are available in the Civil 3D command line:

Command Description
C3DMCPSTART Start the JSON-RPC server (auto-starts on plugin load)
C3DMCPSTOP Stop the JSON-RPC server
C3DMCPSTATUS Show server status, port, and queue depth

3 — Configure Your AI Client

Recommended for Claude Code

npm run claude:add

That command registers the bootstrap launcher in Claude Code and keeps the repo self-contained. Use npm run claude:print-add if you want to inspect the exact claude mcp add command without modifying config.

Claude Desktop — install the generated .mcpb package. For source-based development, claude_desktop_config.json remains supported:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "civil3d-mcp": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": ["C:/path/to/Civil3D-mcp/build/index.js"]
    }
  }
}

Claude Code — add via CLI:

claude mcp add --scope project --transport stdio civil3d-mcp -- powershell -NoProfile -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File "$PWD\scripts\claude-bootstrap-and-run.ps1"

Restart your client. When you see the hammer icon, the MCP connection is live.

For Docker, npm publishing, environment variables, and alternate deployment paths see docs/DEPLOYMENT.md.

Example Conversations

"What alignments are in this drawing and how long is each one?" → civil3d_alignment → returns names, station ranges, lengths

"Run a full QC check on the corridor and give me a report." → civil3d_workflow with action: "corridor_qc_report"

"Trace the flow path from coordinate (5000, 3200) and estimate the peak runoff using the Rational Method." → civil3d_hydrology with action: "watershed_runoff_workflow"

"Publish the existing Plan Production sheet set to PDF." → civil3d_workflow with action: "plan_production_publish"

"Size the storm drain network for a 10-year storm and check all pipe velocities." → civil3d_pipe with action: "size_network", then action: "hydraulic_analysis"

"Calculate cut/fill volumes between the existing ground and proposed surface." → civil3d_surface with action: "volume_calculate", then action: "volume_report"

Tool Reference (217 catalog entries)

The generated, release-checked inventory is docs/tools.generated.md. It includes both canonical tools and specialized aliases. Canonical rows list one or more operations; alias rows show an em dash in the Operations column.

Tool Description
get_drawing_info Retrieves basic information about the active Civil 3D drawing
list_civil_object_types Lists major Civil 3D object types present in the current drawing
get_selected_civil_objects_info Gets properties of currently selected Civil 3D objects
civil3d_health Reports Civil 3D connection and plugin status
civil3d_drawing Manages drawing state, document info, save/undo operations
civil3d_job Checks status of long-running async operations or requests cancellation
list_tool_capabilities Lists domain and capability metadata for the full MCP tool catalog
Tool Description
create_cogo_point Creates a single COGO point
create_line_segment Creates a simple line segment
acad_create_polyline Creates an AutoCAD 2D polyline in model space
acad_create_3dpolyline Creates an AutoCAD 3D polyline in model space
acad_create_text Creates AutoCAD DBText in model space
acad_create_mtext Creates AutoCAD MText in model space
Tool Description
civil3d_alignment Reads alignments, converts stationing, create/delete
civil3d_alignment_report Builds structured alignment geometry report
civil3d_alignment_get_station_offset Returns station/offset of an XY point relative to an alignment
civil3d_alignment_add_tangent Appends a fixed tangent entity to an alignment
civil3d_alignment_add_spiral Appends a spiral (transition curve) to an alignment
civil3d_alignment_delete_entity Deletes a tangent/curve/spiral entity by index
civil3d_alignment_offset_create Creates a new offset alignment at a constant distance
civil3d_alignment_set_station_equation Adds a station equation to an alignment
civil3d_alignment_widen_transition Creates a variable-offset widening/narrowing transition region
Tool Description
civil3d_profile Reads profiles, create/delete
civil3d_profile_report Builds structured profile report with station/elevation sampling
civil3d_profile_get_elevation Samples elevation and grade at a given station
civil3d_profile_add_pvi Adds a PVI to a layout profile
civil3d_profile_add_curve Adds a parabolic vertical curve at an existing PVI
civil3d_profile_delete_pvi Deletes the PVI nearest to a specified station
civil3d_profile_set_grade Sets the grade of a tangent entity
civil3d_profile_check_k_values Validates K-values against AASHTO minimums for design speed
civil3d_profile_view_create Creates a profile view at a specified insertion point
civil3d_profile_view_band_set Applies a band set style to an existing profile view
Tool Description
civil3d_superelevation_get Retrieve superelevation design data for an alignment
civil3d_superelevation_set Apply superelevation using AASHTO attainment method
civil3d_superelevation_design_check Validate max superelevation rates and attainment lengths
civil3d_superelevation_report Generate formatted superelevation report
Tool Description
civil3d_surface Reads surface data, create/delete
civil3d_surface_edit Modifies surface data: points, breaklines, boundaries, contours
civil3d_surface_statistics_get Comprehensive statistics: elevation range, area, point/triangle count
civil3d_surface_contour_interval_set Set minor and major contour display intervals
civil3d_surface_sample_elevations Sample elevations at grid points, discrete points, or transect
civil3d_surface_analyze_elevation Elevation band distribution (area and percentage per band)
civil3d_surface_analyze_slope Slope distribution (area and percentage per slope range)
civil3d_surface_analyze_directions Aspect/facing direction breakdown by cardinal sectors
civil3d_surface_volume_calculate Calculate cut/fill volumes between two surfaces
civil3d_surface_volume_by_region Cut/fill volumes within a polygon region
civil3d_surface_volume_report Formatted human-readable cut/fill volume report
civil3d_surface_comparison_workflow Structured two-surface comparison with cut/fill volumes
civil3d_surface_create_from_dem Create TIN surface from DEM file (.dem, .tif, .asc, .flt)
civil3d_surface_watershed_add Add watershed analysis: drainage basins and flow paths
civil3d_surface_drainage_workflow Surface drainage workflow: flow path, elevation sampling, runoff estimate
Tool Description
civil3d_corridor Reads corridor data, rebuild, volume operations
civil3d_corridor_summary Builds corridor summary with surfaces and volume analysis
civil3d_corridor_target_mapping_get Retrieve subassembly target mappings for a corridor
civil3d_corridor_target_mapping_set Set/update subassembly target mappings (surfaces, alignments, profiles)
civil3d_corridor_region_add Add a new region to a corridor baseline
civil3d_corridor_region_delete Delete a region from a corridor baseline
Tool Description
civil3d_section Reads section data, sample line creation
civil3d_section_view_create Create section views for a sample line group
civil3d_section_view_list List section views in the drawing
civil3d_section_view_update_style Update display/band set style on existing section views
civil3d_section_view_group_create Create section views using the drawing's draft-placement settings
civil3d_section_view_export Export section station, source, offset, and elevation data to CSV
Tool Description
civil3d_intersection_list List all intersections in the drawing
civil3d_intersection_get Get detailed properties of an intersection
Tool Description
civil3d_grading Canonical grading domain tool for groups, gradings, criteria, and feature-line actions
civil3d_feature_line Reads feature lines and exports them as 3D polylines
civil3d_feature_line_create Create a new feature line from 3D points
civil3d_grading_group_list List all grading groups in the drawing
civil3d_grading_group_create Create a new grading group
civil3d_grading_group_get Get detailed info about a grading group
civil3d_grading_group_delete Delete a grading group and all its gradings
civil3d_grading_group_volume Get cut/fill volume report for a grading group
civil3d_grading_group_surface_create Create a surface from a grading group
civil3d_grading_criteria_list List all available grading criteria sets
civil3d_grading_list List all grading objects within a grading group
civil3d_grading_create Create a new grading from a feature line
civil3d_grading_get Get detailed properties of a grading object
civil3d_grading_delete Delete a grading object by handle
Tool Description
civil3d_point Reads, creates, imports, deletes COGO points and point groups
civil3d_point_export Export COGO points to text/CSV (PNEZD, PENZ, XYZD, XYZ, CSV)
civil3d_point_transform Transform points by translation, rotation, and/or scale
civil3d_point_group_create Create a new point group with filter criteria
civil3d_point_group_update Update filter criteria and description of a point group
civil3d_point_group_delete Delete a point group (points are NOT deleted)
Tool Description
civil3d_cogo_inverse Calculate bearing and distance between two coordinate pairs
civil3d_cogo_direction_distance Project a point from start coordinate given bearing and distance
civil3d_cogo_curve_solve Solve a horizontal curve given any two curve elements
civil3d_cogo_traverse Solve a traverse from start point through bearing/distance courses
civil3d_coordinate_system Coordinate system info and coordinate transformations
civil3d_survey_database_list List all survey databases
civil3d_survey_figure_list List all survey figures
civil3d_survey_figure_get Get 3D vertex data for a specific survey figure
Tool Description
civil3d_pipe_catalog Lists available pipe parts lists and part names
civil3d_pipe_network Reads pipe network data: networks, pipes, structures
civil3d_pipe_network_edit Creates and modifies pipe networks, pipes, and structures
Tool Description
civil3d_pressure_network_list List all pressure networks
civil3d_pressure_network_create Create a new pressure network
civil3d_pressure_network_get_info Get detailed info about a pressure network
civil3d_pressure_network_delete Delete a pressure network and all components
civil3d_pressure_network_assign_parts_list Assign a parts list to a network
civil3d_pressure_network_set_cover Set minimum cover depth for pipes in a network
civil3d_pressure_network_validate Validate a network for cover violations and disconnections
civil3d_pressure_network_export Export pressure network data as structured JSON
civil3d_pressure_network_connect Connect two pressure networks by merging
civil3d_pressure_pipe_add Add a pressure pipe segment
civil3d_pressure_pipe_get_properties Get properties of a pressure pipe
civil3d_pressure_pipe_resize Change pressure pipe size to a different catalog entry
civil3d_pressure_fitting_add Add a pressure fitting (elbow, tee, reducer, cap)
civil3d_pressure_fitting_get_properties Get properties of a pressure fitting
civil3d_pressure_appurtenance_add Add a pressure appurtenance (valve, hydrant, meter)
Tool Description
civil3d_sheet_set_list List all Plan Production sheet sets
civil3d_sheet_set_create Create a new Plan Production sheet set
civil3d_sheet_set_get_info Get detailed info about a sheet set
civil3d_sheet_set_export Export all sheets to a multi-page PDF
civil3d_sheet_set_title_block Set or update title block template on a sheet
civil3d_sheet_add Add a new sheet to an existing sheet set
civil3d_sheet_get_properties Get full properties of a specific sheet
civil3d_sheet_publish_pdf Publish sheet layouts to a PDF file
civil3d_sheet_view_create Create a viewport/view on a sheet layout
civil3d_sheet_view_set_scale Update the scale of a viewport
civil3d_plan_profile_sheet_update_alignment Update alignment and/or profile on an existing sheet
Tool Description
civil3d_qc_check_alignment QC alignment: tangent lengths, curve radii, spirals, design-speed compliance
civil3d_qc_check_profile QC profile: max grade, K-values, sight distance requirements
civil3d_qc_check_corridor QC corridor: invalid regions, missing targets, assembly gaps, rebuild errors
civil3d_qc_check_pipe_network QC pipe network: cover depth, slope, velocity, connectivity
civil3d_qc_check_surface QC TIN surface: elevation spikes, flat triangles, crossing breaklines
civil3d_qc_check_labels Check labels for missing labels and style standard violations
civil3d_qc_check_drawing_standards Audit drawing: layer naming, lineweights, colors
civil3d_qc_report_generate Run full QC pass and write consolidated report to disk
Tool Description
civil3d_workflow Canonical workflow tool for multi-step QC, grading, pipe-design, standards, and publishing
civil3d_workflow_corridor_qc_report Run corridor QC and optionally generate a consolidated QC report
civil3d_workflow_grading_surface_volume Calculate grading cut/fill volume between base and comparison surfaces
civil3d_workflow_surface_comparison_report Run a structured surface comparison and follow it with a volume report
civil3d_workflow_data_shortcut_publish_sync Publish a data shortcut and immediately synchronize it
civil3d_workflow_data_shortcut_reference_sync Reference a project data shortcut and immediately synchronize it
civil3d_workflow_project_startup Check Civil 3D health, inspect drawing readiness, and optionally create/save a startup drawing
civil3d_workflow_project_reference_setup Reference one or more project data shortcuts, sync them, and optionally save
civil3d_workflow_drawing_readiness_audit Check health, drawing state, selection context, and standards readiness in one audit
civil3d_workflow_feature_line_to_grading Convert a feature line into grading and optionally create a grading surface
civil3d_workflow_pipe_network_design Size a gravity pipe network and optionally run hydraulic analysis
civil3d_workflow_plan_production_publish Publish a sheet set or explicit layout list to PDF output
civil3d_workflow_qc_fix_and_verify Audit drawing standards, apply fixes, and verify the result
Tool Description
civil3d_qty_surface_volume Cut/fill volumes between surfaces (with corridor or region scope)
civil3d_qty_earthwork_summary Running earthwork cut/fill summary table
civil3d_qty_pipe_network_lengths Total pipe lengths for a gravity pipe network
civil3d_qty_pressure_network_lengths Total pipe lengths for a pressure network
civil3d_qty_alignment_lengths Total length for one or more alignments
civil3d_qty_parcel_areas Area, perimeter, and address data for parcels
civil3d_qty_point_count_by_group Count COGO points per point group
civil3d_qty_export_to_csv Export consolidated quantity takeoff report to CSV
Tool Description
civil3d_hydrology Canonical hydrology tool for surface drainage, catchments, Tc, SSA, and multi-step workflows
civil3d_catchment Manages catchments and catchment groups, including properties, flow paths, and boundaries
civil3d_time_of_concentration Calculates Tc using supported methods and generates hydrographs
civil3d_stm Opens interactive STM import/export and Storm and Sanitary Analysis dialogs
civil3d_hydrology_watershed_runoff_workflow Runs low-point or outlet-based watershed delineation through runoff estimation
civil3d_hydrology_runoff_detention_workflow Runs runoff estimation through detention sizing and optional stage-storage output
civil3d_hydrology_runoff_pipe_workflow Runs runoff estimation through gravity pipe HGL and hydraulic analysis
Tool Description
civil3d_pipe_network_hgl Calculate Hydraulic Grade Line (HGL) for gravity pipe networks
civil3d_pipe_network_hydraulics Perform full hydraulic capacity analysis on pipe networks
civil3d_pipe_structure_properties Retrieve detailed properties of individual pipe structures
Tool Description
civil3d_pipe_network_size Size gravity-network pipes from Manning full-flow capacity with catalog part selection
civil3d_pipe_profile_view_automation Automate gravity-pipe profile-view setup with EG profile creation
Tool Description
civil3d_assembly_create Create a new Civil 3D assembly at a specified model-space location
civil3d_subassembly_create Add a subassembly from the Civil 3D catalog to an existing assembly
civil3d_assembly_edit Inspect or modify an existing Civil 3D assembly (list, update, delete subassemblies)
Tool Description
civil3d_sight_distance_calculate Calculate AASHTO stopping, passing, or decision sight distance for design speed
civil3d_stopping_distance_check Check stopping sight distance compliance along an alignment at station intervals
Tool Description
civil3d_detention_basin_size_calculate Size a detention basin to reduce peak stormwater runoff
civil3d_detention_stage_storage Generate stage-storage-discharge table for a detention basin surface
Tool Description
civil3d_slope_geometry_calculate Calculate daylight line coordinates and slope geometry for cut/fill sections
Tool Description
civil3d_pay_items_export Extract Civil 3D quantities and export as structured pay item schedule to CSV/Excel
civil3d_material_cost_estimate Generate construction cost estimate by combining quantities with unit prices
Tool Description
civil3d_survey_observation_list List survey observations from a survey database
Tool Description
civil3d_data_shortcut_create Create data shortcuts for Civil 3D objects
civil3d_data_shortcut_promote Promote data shortcut references to full editable objects
civil3d_data_shortcut_reference Reference existing data shortcuts into the current drawing
civil3d_data_shortcut_sync Synchronize outdated data shortcut references
Tool Description
civil3d_parcel_create Create parcels from polylines, feature lines, or vertex lists
civil3d_parcel_edit Edit parcel properties (name, style, label style, description)
civil3d_parcel_lot_line_adjust Adjust lot lines to achieve a target area
civil3d_parcel_report Generate parcel reports with coordinate and unit settings
Tool Description
civil3d_standards_lookup Looks up Civil 3D standards, template governance, layer/style guidance, and labeling conventions
civil3d_assembly Lists and inspects assemblies and subassemblies
civil3d_label Manages labels on Civil 3D objects
civil3d_style Lists and inspects Civil 3D styles
civil3d_parcel Reads parcel and site data
civil3d_data_shortcut Manages data shortcuts: listing, syncing, creating references
civil3d_orchestrate Routes natural-language Civil 3D requests to the best tool

Civil 3D Version Compatibility

Civil 3D Version Status Notes
2023 Not currently validated Requires a separate compatibility review and a build against matching licensed assemblies.
2024 Not currently validated Requires a separate compatibility review and a build against matching licensed assemblies.
2025 Not currently validated Requires a separate compatibility review and a build against matching licensed assemblies.
2026 Supported and live validated Set Civil3DReferencesPath to the matching licensed 2026 managed assemblies.

For startup-suite and autoload registry details, use the version-specific guidance in docs/DEPLOYMENT.md.

Environment Variables

The Node MCP server reads the following variables at startup. All are optional; defaults are shown in the Default column and are suitable for a local Civil 3D plus Copilot install.

Plugin connection (Node → Civil 3D plugin)

Variable Default Purpose
CIVIL3D_HOST localhost Host the Civil 3D plugin's JSON-RPC TCP server binds to.
CIVIL3D_PORT 8080 TCP port the plugin listens on (see PluginRuntime.Port).
CIVIL3D_CONNECT_TIMEOUT 5000 Milliseconds the server waits for a TCP connection to the plugin before giving up.
CIVIL3D_COMMAND_TIMEOUT 120000 Milliseconds any single JSON-RPC command may run before the Node side rejects the call. Increase for heavy corridor rebuilds.
CIVIL3D_MAX_RESPONSE_BYTES 8388608 Maximum buffered response size accepted from the Civil 3D plugin.
CIVIL3D_LOG_LEVEL info One of debug, info, warn, error. Logs are written to stderr.

MCP tool surface and policy

Variable Default Purpose
CIVIL3D_ENABLE_TOOL_ALIASES false Set to true before the MCP server starts to expose all specialized aliases instead of the compact 34-tool surface.
CIVIL3D_APPROVAL_MODE enforced Set to disabled only in an isolated disposable test