Ansys Workbench MCP

This is a local MCP server for Codex, used to control Ansys Workbench, Mechanical, and MAPDL via scripting.

It is not an official Ansys project, nor does it simulate mouse clicks on the Workbench interface. It encapsulates the automation entry points already supported by Ansys:

• RunWB2.exe -B -R <journal.wbjn>: Batch processing for running Workbench journals.

• Workbench scripting: Creating real Steady-State Thermal project systems.

• MAPDL batch: Running Mechanical APDL input files for solver-level automated verification.

Current Status

The current version is a minimum viable product (MVP) that can verify the control link from Codex to Workbench:

• Check Workbench, Mechanical, and MAPDL paths.

• Run arbitrary Workbench journals.

• Create a real Workbench Steady-State Thermal system.

• Run MAPDL input files.

• Create and solve a simple steady-state thermal rectangular bar example.

It is not yet a full dual-end structure like Abaqus MCP. Abaqus MCP includes Abaqus/CAE plugins, command directories, result directories, and more in-session query tools; this Workbench version currently uses journal / batch interfaces. Future extensions could include Mechanical script execution, model tree queries, mesh/load encapsulation, and result export tools.

Related MCP server: fluent-research-mcp

Installation

Recommended installation location:

D:\ansys-workbench-mcp

Create a virtual environment and install dependencies:

cd D:\ansys-workbench-mcp
py -3.13 -m venv .venv
.\.venv\Scripts\python.exe -m pip install -r requirements.txt

Ansys Paths

The local machine is currently configured for Ansys 2025 R1:

Workbench:  D:\Program Files\ANSYS Inc\v251\Framework\bin\Win64\RunWB2.exe
Mechanical: D:\Program Files\ANSYS Inc\v251\aisol\bin\winx64\AnsysWBU.exe
MAPDL:      D:\Program Files\ANSYS Inc\v251\ansys\bin\winx64\ANSYS251.exe

If your installation path is different, you can override it using environment variables:

• ANSYS_RUNWB2

• ANSYS_MECHANICAL

• ANSYS_MAPDL

Codex Configuration

Add the following content to your Codex configuration file:

%USERPROFILE%\.codex\config.toml

[mcp_servers.ansys-workbench]
command = 'D:\ansys-workbench-mcp\.venv\Scripts\python.exe'
args = ['D:\ansys-workbench-mcp\mcp_server.py']
cwd = 'D:\ansys-workbench-mcp'
startup_timeout_sec = 30
tool_timeout_sec = 600
enabled = true

[mcp_servers.ansys-workbench.env]
ANSYS_RUNWB2 = 'D:\Program Files\ANSYS Inc\v251\Framework\bin\Win64\RunWB2.exe'
ANSYS_MECHANICAL = 'D:\Program Files\ANSYS Inc\v251\aisol\bin\winx64\AnsysWBU.exe'
ANSYS_MAPDL = 'D:\Program Files\ANSYS Inc\v251\ansys\bin\winx64\ANSYS251.exe'

Restart Codex after modifying the configuration to allow the MCP server to reload.

MCP Tools

check_ansys_installation

Checks if the Workbench, Mechanical, and MAPDL executable paths exist.

run_workbench_journal

Executes a specified .wbjn Workbench journal via RunWB2.exe.

create_steady_state_thermal_system

Creates a real Workbench Steady-State Thermal system and saves the .wbpj project file. This action is equivalent to placing a "Steady-State Thermal" analysis system from the Workbench toolbox.

run_mapdl_input

Runs a Mechanical APDL input file using MAPDL batch processing.

create_and_run_thermal_bar_demo

Creates and solves a simple steady-state thermal rectangular bar example to verify if the Workbench / MAPDL automation link is functional.

Verified

The following have been verified on the local machine:

• MCP stdio handshake can list tools.

• check_ansys_installation can detect Ansys 2025 R1 paths.

• create_steady_state_thermal_system can create a real Workbench steady-state thermal project.

• create_and_run_thermal_bar_demo can complete a simple steady-state thermal solution and export nodal temperature results.

Future Plans

• Add an entry point for Mechanical script execution.

• Add advanced tools for importing geometry, setting materials, generating meshes, and applying temperature/convection boundary conditions.

• Add exports for result images, temperature extremes, and node/element tables.

• Add more complete examples and test scripts.