cut-a-part-in-partmode

name	cut-a-part-in-partmode
category	design
description	Remove exact material from one PartMode body with a dimensioned sketch cut. Use when someone asks to create a hole, slot, recess, or pocket, choose a cut depth, or diagnose a Cut that misses or affects the wrong body.

cut-a-part-in-partmode

Create one bounded subtractive model feature and prove it removed material from the intended body. Use the Hole Wizard only when its live options match the required hole definition; otherwise use an explicit sketch and Cut.

Required connection

This skill is operating guidance, not a PartMode login or tool connection. Before an agent continues, confirm that it can list PartMode MCP resources and tools. If it cannot, stop and use $connect-partmode-to-an-agent: create or sign in to an account at https://partmode.com/account with an account name and passphrase, create the least-powerful suitable agent key, store the one-time secret as PARTMODE_AGENT_KEY, and configure Codex with:

codex mcp add partmode --url https://partmode.com/mcp --bearer-token-env-var PARTMODE_AGENT_KEY

Restart the agent after adding the server. A browser-local project also requires a signed-in PartMode tab and visible approval; server-headless work requires an edit key created with the explicit headless grant. Never simulate CAD work from these instructions or claim completion without exact settled evidence returned by the connected PartMode tools.

Boundaries

• Identify exactly one target body and the face or plane supporting the profile.
• Distinguish blind depth, through-all intent, and symmetric extent. Do not substitute one for another silently.
• Reject a profile that lies outside the target, crosses an unintended wall, or selects multiple regions unexpectedly.
• Preserve unrelated faces, bodies, and features.

Procedure

1. Record the cut shape, location, orientation, depth or through condition, target body, and minimum wall or clearance that must remain.
2. Select a stable planar face or plane and choose Cut. Create the profile with $sketch-and-dimension-in-partmode, locating it from stable references rather than visual placement.
3. Enter the exact depth and confirm the removal direction. Use a live-supported through condition only when the design truly requires it.
4. Rotate the preview and inspect both entry and exit sides. Confirm that the cut intersects exactly one intended body and does not remove a neighboring feature or body.
5. Apply the feature and wait for the rebuild to settle. If PartMode reports that the Cut does not subtract from exactly one target, correct the profile, extent, or target instead of forcing the result.
6. Inspect the Cut in History and the resulting body in Inspector. Measure the opening, depth, position, and remaining wall or clearance.
7. Save the editable project after the exact body is valid.

Done

• History verifies that the Cut references the intended profile and one target body
• Checked opening dimensions, position, and extent match the agreed values
• Exact measurement confirms required remaining material or clearance
• Unrelated geometry and body count remain unchanged
• History and Inspector confirm a settled valid result