| name | bambu-slicer |
| description | Unified 3D printing pipeline for Bambu Lab printers. USE WHEN user says: "print", "3d print", "slice", "slice this", "make me", "design a part", "model this", "STL", "3MF", "makerworld", "browse models", "find me a", "printer status", "check printer", "what's printing", "prepare for printing", "generate 3MF", "fit on one plate", "multi-object plate", "storage", "organizer", "mount", "holder", "bracket", "gridfinity", or provides STL files, photos of things to design, or MakerWorld links. Covers design (OpenSCAD MCP), browse (MakerWorld via agent-browser), slice (OrcaSlicer-backed CLI), multi-plate arrangement, and printer control (Bambu MCP). This is the only skill for anything 3D-printing related. |
bambu-slicer — Unified 3D Printing Pipeline
End-to-end workflow for Bambu Lab printers: design custom models, browse MakerWorld for existing ones, slice STLs to print-ready 3MF, arrange multi-object plates, and control the printer — all from the CLI plus surrounding MCPs.
First-run check
Before slicing anything, verify the user has run plugin setup once:
- CLI deps installed:
${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/cli/node_modules exists. If not, instruct: cd "${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/cli" && bun install.
- OrcaSlicer installed at the configured path (default
/Applications/OrcaSlicer.app/Contents/MacOS/OrcaSlicer, override via ORCA_CLI_PATH).
- Bambu Studio installed (the CLI patches its profile JSONs at slice time — Bambu Studio doesn't need to be running, just installed so the profiles exist on disk).
- Optional config:
.claude/bambu-slicer.local.md for printer-specific overrides (machine profile, output dir, printer IP). See plugin README.
If any step fails, surface a clear error before attempting to slice.
Capabilities & Workflows
1. Design Custom Parts (OpenSCAD MCP)
When the user describes something they need or sends a photo, design it with the openscad MCP tools.
Best for: Functional/geometric parts — storage bins, cable organizers, shelf brackets, phone stands, gridfinity inserts, drawer dividers, wall mounts, enclosures, clips, hooks.
Not suited for: Organic/sculpted shapes (use MakerWorld instead).
Workflow:
- Understand dimensions and constraints from description/photo.
- Write OpenSCAD code using
openscad MCP → create_scad_script.
- Render preview images →
render_preview. Show the user for approval.
- Iterate on design based on feedback.
- Export STL →
export_stl.
- Slice with the bundled CLI (Section 3).
Design tips:
- Always ask for or estimate dimensions — a part that doesn't fit is useless.
- Use
$fn=64 or higher for smooth curves.
- Add 0.2 mm tolerance for friction-fit joints.
- Wall thickness minimum 1.2 mm (3 perimeters at a 0.4 mm nozzle).
- Gridfinity standard: 42 mm grid, 7 mm base height.
For tested constants on tray/shelf/riser-style parts, see references/gotchas.md.
2. Browse & Download from MakerWorld (agent-browser)
When the user wants to find existing models, use the agent-browser skill to drive MakerWorld.
Workflow:
- Navigate to
https://makerworld.com/en/search/models?keyword={query}.
- Screenshot search results, present options with thumbnails.
- User picks one → navigate to the model page.
- Click "Download raw model files" to download STL/STEP files (or grab the source 3MF if posted — see
references/gotchas.md on remixing).
- Save to a working directory (e.g.,
/tmp/makerworld/).
- Slice with the bundled CLI (Section 3).
Notes:
- Login required for downloads. Use the user's Bambu account credentials — fetch from their password manager if asked.
- MakerWorld has bot detection — use stealth/realistic browsing patterns.
- Always show the user a screenshot of the model before downloading.
- Check whether the model includes a pre-sliced 3MF for the target printer (saves time).
3. Slice STL → Print-Ready 3MF (bundled CLI)
The core slicing engine. Takes STL files and produces print-ready 3MF using OrcaSlicer with patched Bambu Studio profiles.
CLI usage:
bun run "${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/cli/cli.ts" --input model.stl --output model.3mf
bun run "${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/cli/cli.ts" --input model.stl --output model.3mf --quality 0.12
bun run "${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/cli/cli.ts" --input model.stl --output model.3mf --filament "Bambu PETG Basic"
bun run "${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/cli/cli.ts" --input "box.stl cylinder.stl hook.stl" --output plate.3mf
bun run "${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/cli/cli.ts" --list-profiles
For the full quality + filament tables, see references/profiles.md.
Output location: Default to /tmp/ for quick prints, or whatever directory the user has configured (outputDir in .claude/bambu-slicer.local.md).
4. Multi-Object Plate Arrangement
When the user has multiple STLs to print at once, combine them on one plate:
bun run "${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/cli/cli.ts" \
--input "part-a.stl part-b.stl part-c.stl" \
--output combined-plate.3mf
The slicer auto-arranges and auto-orients all objects. Use this for batch printing — saves time vs. printing each object separately. See references/gotchas.md for bed-margin caveats.
5. Printer Control (Bambu MCP)
Use the bambu-printer MCP tools for printer interaction. These tools are available after Claude Code restart.
| Task | MCP Tool |
|---|
| Check printer status | get_printer_status |
| List printers | list_printers |
| Pause current print | pause_print |
| Resume paused print | resume_print |
| Stop/cancel print | stop_print |
| Connect via MQTT (local) | mqtt_connect |
| Get real-time status | printer_get_status |
| Stream camera | Camera tools |
| Check AMS filament | AMS tools |
Developer Mode required for local control: If the user enables Developer Mode on the printer touchscreen (Settings → Network → LAN Only Mode → Developer Mode), full local MQTT control is available including sending prints directly. Without it, cloud-based status monitoring still works.
6. Batch Print Night Workflow
When the user wants to maximize a print session:
- Collect all STLs (designed + downloaded).
- Group by filament type (don't mix PLA and PETG on one plate).
- Arrange each group on a plate using multi-object slicing.
- Slice each plate.
- Send to printer (or open in Bambu Studio if Developer Mode is off).
Decision Tree
User wants to 3D print something
├── Has specific STL file(s)? → Slice (Section 3)
├── Wants something custom? → Design (Section 1)
├── Wants to browse for a model? → MakerWorld (Section 2)
├── Multiple things to print? → Multi-plate (Section 4)
├── Asking about printer state? → Printer Control (Section 5)
└── "Print night" / batch session? → Batch Workflow (Section 6)
Technical Notes
- Slicer engine: OrcaSlicer. Bambu Studio CLI has a known segfault bug with P2S 0.4 mm nozzle profiles (OrcaSlicer #9636) — using OrcaSlicer with the bundled profile patcher works reliably.
- Profile patching: Machine profiles are auto-patched at slice time. Bambu Studio gcode templates are replaced with OrcaSlicer-compatible versions, AND
inherits chains are resolved inline so OrcaSlicer can read the profile out-of-tree (parent profiles like fdm_bbl_3dp_001_common carry printable_area etc., and OrcaSlicer can't follow inherits across a one-off patched file in tmp).
- Cloud vs. local: Cloud-based status works without any printer config. Local MQTT control requires Developer Mode + the
bambu-printer MCP configured with the printer's serial and LAN IP.
Gotchas, lessons, and tested constants
Read references/gotchas.md whenever the user asks for a print — especially a remix from MakerWorld. Covers:
- Bed-margin failures with
--arrange on near-bed-sized parts.
- Matching the source 3MF's profile when remixing (don't blindly use CLI defaults).
- Two-up plate offers when geometry permits.
- Bambu Studio's harmless version-mapping dialog after opening an OrcaSlicer-produced 3MF.
- Tested fillet/lip/rib constants for tray-style functional parts (shelf risers, drawer organizers).
New 3D-printing lessons go in references/gotchas.md. The skill auto-loads it on next session.
