Who SOMA is for#
Makers building custom enclosures for electronics projects
Describe the board dimensions, connector positions, and any ventilation requirements to the agent. SOMA builds the enclosure in CadQuery, you measure fit against the actual hardware dimensions in the 3D view, and iterate until the model is ready to slice and print. No CAD experience required.
Skip if:
Your project requires tight mechanical tolerances (sub-0.1 mm), certified material specs, or formal engineering documentation. At v0.8.0, SOMA is better suited to iterative maker prototyping than precision manufacturing.
Hardware tinkerers who need brackets, mounts, and adapter plates
For parts that need to fit specific mounting patterns, you can sketch the hole layout directly on the 3D view and send it to the agent, or describe the pattern in text. The parameters panel makes it easy to adjust spacing or hole sizes without re-describing the whole part.
Skip if:
Your mounting geometry comes from a complex existing assembly file you need to import and reference. SOMA works from CadQuery scripts and manual input; it does not import SolidWorks or Fusion assemblies.
Developers using Claude Code or Codex CLI who want to add 3D output
SOMA extends a CLI agent workflow you already have into parametric geometry. The agent runs in a terminal panel inside the app, uses the same interface it uses for code, and calls SOMA's CLI tools to build and analyze. No CAD-specific tooling setup is needed beyond the SOMA installer.
Skip if:
You need programmatic batch generation of many model variants from a script or CI pipeline. SOMA is an interactive desktop app; headless or automated model generation is not a documented use case at this stage.
CadQuery users who want an agentic iteration loop
If you already know CadQuery, SOMA gives you a visual build loop alongside the code. Import an existing CadQuery script as a starting point, let the agent extend or modify it, and use the 3D view, measurement tools, and history timeline to review changes without leaving the editor.
Skip if:
You prefer full control over the CadQuery code and only need a viewer, not an agent loop. The open CQ-editor is lighter and more established for pure code-plus-view workflows.
The problem it solves#
Building a custom 3D-printed part is faster than ordering hardware, but getting from idea to printable file means going through CAD software. Professional parametric tools like Autodesk Fusion and SolidWorks are accurate and capable, but they assume a baseline of engineering training most makers do not have. Learning to model even a basic bracket can take several hours before the result is printable.
Code-based approaches like CadQuery solve the GUI problem by making geometry a Python script, but they move the difficulty to programming knowledge. Most makers want neither a complex GUI feature tree nor a blank Python file. They want to describe what they need, see a result quickly, and adjust until it fits.
How it solves it#
Agent-driven code generation
Describe a part in plain language and the CLI agent writes the geometry as CadQuery Python code. SOMA builds the model on every change and shows the result in the 3D viewer immediately. You never need to write or read CadQuery yourself, though the code is visible and editable if you want it.
Point, measure, and sketch on the 3D view
Click any part of the model to measure exact dimensions, or sketch geometry directly on the 3D view and send it to the agent as input. This closes the feedback loop between what you see and what the agent changes next, avoiding the back-and-forth of describing coordinates in text.
Parameters panel
The agent marks adjustable values, such as dimensions, counts, and tolerances, as named parameters. You can change them from a panel in the UI without touching the Python code, so common adjustments like wall thickness or mounting hole diameter are one-click edits.
History timeline
Every build step the agent produces is recorded on a visual timeline. Preview any previous state and restore it with one click. This replaces a linear undo chain with a branch-free history you can step through and compare.
Manufacturing skill sets
Switch on rule sets per model for 3D printing, CNC, laser cutting, sheet metal, or tolerances. The agent reads these as constraints alongside the project context, so it accounts for overhang limits or kerf width without you having to specify them in every prompt.
Analysis and export
Run overhang detection, wall-thickness checks, and FEM strength analysis from within the app. Export finished models as STEP, STL, 3MF, DXF, or PDF technical drawings. Animations can be rendered to video. Models can also be exported as plain CadQuery scripts for use in CQ-editor or VS Code.
Strengths and trade-offs#
Strengths
- Works with any CLI agent you already useSOMA does not bundle an agent or require a specific subscription. Claude Code, Codex CLI, OpenCode, Gemini CLI, and any other CLI agent that can read files and run commands works. Your existing subscription, model choice, and permission settings carry over with no changes.
- GPL-3.0 with a model file exceptionThe application is free software under GPL-3.0. The SOMA Model Exception means your .soma design files and any exported files (STEP, STL, 3MF) are free of GPL obligations; you can sell, patent, or license what you design under any terms. Only redistributed modifications to SOMA itself must remain GPL.
- Self-contained installer with no external dependenciesPython, CadQuery, Git, and CalculiX are bundled inside the installer package. There is no separate dependency installation step for end users. The tradeoff is a large installer (over 1 GB), but setup is a single download and run.
- Models stay as plain CadQuery PythonBecause the geometry is always a CadQuery Python script, you can open it in CQ-editor or VS Code at any time, hand-edit a dimension directly, or export the model as a standalone script. You are not locked into SOMA's file format for the geometry itself.
Trade-offs
- -Early prototype with potential breaking changesSOMA is version 0.8.0 and explicitly described as an early prototype in the README. File formats and the soma API may change between 0.x releases, meaning models built today may need updating on a future version. The project notes it was itself vibe-coded by agents and advises expecting rough edges.
- -Windows-primary, limited Linux and macOS testingDevelopment and most testing has been done on Windows. Linux (Kubuntu) and macOS (Apple Silicon) packages are available but have seen much less use according to the README. Compatibility issues are more likely on those platforms.
- -No automatic update mechanismThere is no in-app updater. New versions must be downloaded manually from the GitHub releases page. For a project at 0.8.0 that may release frequently, this adds manual overhead to keeping the tool current.
- -Unsigned packages require OS workaroundsThe installer packages are not code-signed yet. On Windows, SmartScreen shows a warning on first launch; on macOS, the app must be opened with right-click > Open the first time. Users unfamiliar with these overrides may find the warnings alarming.
SOMA vs alternatives#
SOMA vs Autodesk Fusion
Autodesk Fusion is the dominant cloud-based parametric CAD tool for hobbyists and small teams, with subscription pricing and a GUI-driven feature workflow. SOMA approaches the same goal of parametric 3D modeling from a different direction: describe geometry to a CLI coding agent, and the agent writes CadQuery Python code that SOMA builds and displays.
| Feature | SOMA | Autodesk Fusion |
|---|---|---|
| License | GPL-3.0 (free software) | Proprietary |
| Pricing | Free | Subscription |
| AI assistance | Any CLI agent (Claude Code, Codex CLI, Gemini CLI) | Fusion AI generative design |
| Model format | CadQuery Python (.soma file) | Proprietary .f3d |
| Cloud dependency | None | Required for full features |
| Export | STEP, STL, 3MF, DXF, PDF | STEP, STL, 3MF, and more |
| Status | Early prototype (v0.8.0) | Mature commercial product |
SOMA is the better fit for makers who already use Claude Code, Codex CLI, or Gemini CLI and want to bring 3D modeling into that workflow. Because the model is plain CadQuery Python, every dimension is a named variable the agent can change by instruction, and the history timeline lets you step back to any prior state. The GPL-3.0 covers the application; the SOMA Model Exception means your design files carry no GPL obligations, and exported STEP or STL files are unrestricted.
Autodesk Fusion is the stronger choice when you need a mature, fully featured CAD environment with a large tutorial library, multi-body assembly support, manufacturing simulation, and integration with the Autodesk product family. Its AI generative design tools work within predefined structural constraints, which differs from SOMA's open-ended conversational geometry approach. For professional mechanical engineering workflows where toolpath integrations, formal drawings, and model stability matter, Fusion has decades of commercial development behind it compared to SOMA's version 0.8.0.
What it's built on#
- Languages
- JavaScriptPythonTypeScript
- Tooling
- esbuild
FAQ#
Does SOMA include a built-in AI agent?
No. SOMA does not bundle a coding agent. It works with any CLI agent you install and log in to separately: Claude Code, Codex CLI, OpenCode, Gemini CLI, and others. SOMA detects the common agents it finds on your computer and can start them from inside the app. Your existing subscription, model choice, and permission settings remain unchanged.
Do I need to know Python or CadQuery to use SOMA?
No programming knowledge is required for everyday use. The agent writes and edits the CadQuery Python code; you describe what you need in plain language and review the result in the 3D viewer. The code is visible if you want to inspect or hand-edit a value, but it is not required. The README notes that using SOMA effectively is possible without knowing CadQuery at all.
What file formats can I export from SOMA?
SOMA exports STEP, STL, 3MF, and DXF files, plus technical drawings as PDF. STL and 3MF are the standard formats for FDM and resin 3D printing. STEP is suitable for further work in other CAD tools. Models can also be exported as plain CadQuery scripts for use in CQ-editor or VS Code. Exported geometry files are not subject to the GPL license.
Is SOMA free to use for commercial projects?
SOMA is GPL-3.0 licensed, which is free software. The SOMA Model Exception explicitly states that model files (.soma) and exported files (STEP, STL, 3MF, DXF) are not covered by the GPL, so you can license your designs under any terms, including for commercial sale or patent. If you distribute a modified version of the SOMA application itself, that modified version must also be GPL-3.0.
What operating systems does SOMA support?
SOMA provides installers for Windows (installer or portable ZIP), Linux (AppImage or tar.gz, requires glibc 2.31 or newer), and macOS (dmg for Apple Silicon). Development and the majority of testing has been done on Windows; Linux and macOS support is available but less tested at version 0.8.0. There is no automatic update; new versions must be downloaded from the GitHub releases page.
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