Get Started with Kiln

Install Kiln in under a minute and connect to your first printer.

Installation

Choose your platform. Kiln runs on macOS, Linux, and Windows via WSL 2.

Prerequisites

Python 3.10 or newer. macOS 13+ ships with a compatible version, or install via Homebrew:

brew install python@3.10

Install Kiln

The recommended install uses pipx for an isolated environment:

brew install pipx && pipx ensurepath pipx install kiln3d

Or use pip directly:

pip install kiln3d

Install from Source

git clone https://github.com/codeofaxel/Kiln.git cd Kiln && pip install -e ./kiln

One-Line Installer

Clones the repo and installs via pipx automatically:

git clone https://github.com/codeofaxel/Kiln.git ~/.kiln/src && ~/.kiln/src/install.sh

Prerequisites

Install Python 3.10+ and pip:

# Debian / Ubuntu sudo apt install python3 python3-pip python3-venv
# Fedora / RHEL sudo dnf install python3 python3-pip

Install Kiln

The recommended install uses pipx for an isolated environment:

sudo apt install pipx && pipx ensurepath pipx install kiln3d

Or use pip directly:

pip install kiln3d

Install from Source

git clone https://github.com/codeofaxel/Kiln.git cd Kiln && pip install -e ./kiln

One-Line Installer

Clones the repo and installs via pipx automatically:

git clone https://github.com/codeofaxel/Kiln.git ~/.kiln/src && ~/.kiln/src/install.sh

Optional Dependencies

# PrusaSlicer for STL slicing, OpenSCAD for text-to-3D sudo apt install prusa-slicer openscad

Prerequisites

Inside your WSL 2 Ubuntu terminal, install Python 3.10+ and pip:

sudo apt install python3 python3-pip python3-venv

Install Kiln

The recommended install uses pipx for an isolated environment:

sudo apt install pipx && pipx ensurepath pipx install kiln3d

Or use pip directly:

pip install kiln3d

Install from Source

git clone https://github.com/codeofaxel/Kiln.git cd Kiln && pip install -e ./kiln
WSL 2 Networking Note

mDNS printer discovery (kiln discover) does not work in WSL 2 because of NAT networking. Use your printer's IP address directly instead (works for Ethernet and Wi-Fi LAN setups):

# Connect directly by IP address kiln auth --name my-printer --host http://192.168.1.x:port --type octoprint --api-key YOUR_KEY

Optional Dependencies

# PrusaSlicer for STL slicing, OpenSCAD for text-to-3D sudo apt install prusa-slicer openscad

After Installing

Four commands to go from install to your first AI-controlled print.

  1. 1

    Discover and configure printers

    The interactive setup wizard scans your LAN (Ethernet or Wi-Fi) for printers and saves credentials. If discovery misses your printer, use manual IP auth.

    kiln setup
  2. 2

    Verify dependencies and connectivity

    Checks that Python, slicer, and printer connections are all working.

    kiln verify
  3. 3

    Confirm your printer is reachable

    Returns the full printer state as JSON — temperatures, job status, and connection info.

    kiln status --json
  4. 4

    Start the MCP server

    Exposes 456 tools to any MCP-compatible AI agent (Claude, GPT, custom).

    kiln serve

Claude Desktop Integration

Add Kiln to Claude Desktop so Claude can control your printer directly.

Add the following to your Claude Desktop config file:
~/.config/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json (Linux / WSL)
~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json (macOS) 

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "kiln": {
      "command": "python3",
      "args": [
        "-m",
        "kiln",
        "serve"
      ],
      "env": {
        "KILN_PRINTER_HOST": "http://your-printer:port",
        "KILN_PRINTER_API_KEY": "your_key",
        "KILN_PRINTER_TYPE": "octoprint"
      }
    }
  }
}

Replace your-printer:port, your_key, and octoprint with your actual printer host, API key, and backend type (octoprint, moonraker, bambu, or prusa-connect).

Frequently Asked Questions

Common issues and quick answers.

"kiln: command not found" after install
Your shell cannot find the kiln binary. Add ~/.local/bin to your PATH by running pipx ensurepath, then restart your terminal. If you installed with pip into a virtualenv, make sure the virtualenv is activated.
WSL 2 can't discover printers
WSL 2 uses NAT networking, which blocks mDNS discovery. Connect to your printer by IP address instead:
kiln auth --name my-printer --host http://192.168.1.x:port --type octoprint
Can I use Ethernet instead of Wi-Fi?
Yes. Kiln works over LAN IP, so Ethernet-only printers are fully supported. If discovery does not find your printer, register it directly by IP:
kiln auth --name my-printer --host http://192.168.1.x:port --type prusaconnect --api-key YOUR_KEY
PrusaSlicer not found
Kiln auto-detects PrusaSlicer and OrcaSlicer on your PATH and in standard macOS app bundle locations. If it is installed in a non-standard location, set the path explicitly:
export KILN_SLICER_PATH=/path/to/prusa-slicer
How do I uninstall Kiln?
If you installed with pipx: pipx uninstall kiln3d
If you installed with pip: pip uninstall kiln3d
If you used the install script: ~/.kiln/src/install.sh --uninstall
What Python version do I need?
Python 3.10 or newer. Check your version with python3 --version.
Does Kiln work on Windows?
Not natively. Use WSL 2 (Windows Subsystem for Linux) with an Ubuntu distribution. Kiln runs fully inside the WSL environment. See the WSL 2 tab above for setup instructions.
What printers are supported?
Any printer running OctoPrint, Moonraker (Klipper), Bambu Lab (X1C, P1S, A1 via LAN MQTT), Elegoo (Centauri Carbon, Saturn, Mars via SDCP), or Prusa Link (MK4, XL, Mini+). 30+ printer models have been tested with bundled safety profiles.
Is Kiln free?
Yes. All local printing features are free forever — status, file management, slicing, fleet control, and printing to your own printers. A 5% orchestration fee applies only to orders placed through external manufacturing services, with the first 3 orders per month free and a $200 per-order cap.

Ready to print?

Read the full documentation or browse the source on GitHub.

Documentation GitHub