Ansys MCP Server

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Give Claude Code CLI direct control over Ansys engineering simulations.

This MCP (Model Context Protocol) server wraps PyAnsys into 30 tools that Claude Code can call — run CFD in Fluent, crush FEA in Mechanical, drive MAPDL, post-process with DPF, and mesh with Prime. The AI understands the full simulation pipeline across products: load geometry → mesh → set materials → apply BCs → solve → post-process → export. It knows which tool to call next, and it can reason across CFD, FEA, thermal, and FSI workflows.

No more clicking through Workbench. Just describe what you want in plain language.

🎯 What makes this different: It's not a chatbot wrapper, not a documentation scraper. It gives Claude Code real, programmatic access to the Ansys solver process — the same API that PyAnsys uses internally. On a machine with Ansys installed and licensed, it actually launches and controls the solvers. The solver window stays open — you watch mesh generation, convergence plots, and field data render in real time.

🎬 Quick Demo

User: "Simulate water flow in a 10cm pipe, 2m long, inlet velocity 5 m/s, steel walls, 300K"

Claude Code (via Ansys MCP):
  1. ansys_list_workflows("cfd")            ← understands which workflow to use
  2. ansys_open_gui(solver="fluent")        ← opens Fluent GUI (one persistent window)
  3. ansys_load_geometry("pipe.stp")        ← loads CAD → visible in Fluent window
  4. ansys_mesh_generate(element_size=0.5)  ← mesh builds in real-time on screen
  5. ansys_set_material("fluid", "water")   ← material colors update in GUI
  6. ansys_set_material("solid", "steel")
  7. ansys_set_boundary_conditions(...)     ← inlets, outlets highlighted on mesh
  8. ansys_set_parameters({"viscous_model": "k-epsilon"})
  9. ansys_run_simulation(iterations=500)   ← convergence plot updates live
  10. ansys_get_convergence()               ← residual history
  11. ansys_get_field_data("velocity")      ← probe points
  12. ansys_export_results(...)             ← CSV/VTK for ParaView

All from one sentence. No scripting, no TUI commands, no Workbench clicking. The AI knows the sequence.

Related MCP server: ansys-aedt-mcp

🚀 Installation (2 minutes)

Prerequisites

• Python 3.10+

• Ansys installed and licensed (Fluent, Mechanical, or MAPDL)

• Claude Code CLI

Option 1: One-command installer

# Clone
git clone https://github.com/vorobjewsen30-max/ansys-mcp-server.git
cd ansys-mcp-server

# Install + configure Claude Code automatically
./install.sh                    # Linux / Mac
# install.bat                   # Windows

The installer:

1. Creates a .venv virtual environment

2. Installs mcp SDK

3. Optionally installs PyAnsys packages (./install.sh install-all for everything)

4. Writes Claude Code config to ~/.claude/settings.json

Non-fatal errors: If PyAnsys packages fail to install (no internet, missing build tools, etc.), the installer continues with a warning. The server works without them — you can install pip install ansys-fluent-core later.

Upgrade without touching Claude config

# Pull latest code + upgrade packages, keep ~/.claude/settings.json intact
./install.sh --upgrade
install.bat --upgrade       # Windows

Option 2: Manual

# 1. Create venv
python3 -m venv .venv && source .venv/bin/activate

# 2. Install MCP SDK
pip install mcp

# 3. Install PyAnsys for your product(s)
pip install ansys-fluent-core        # CFD
pip install ansys-mapdl-core         # Structural / APDL
pip install ansys-dpf-core           # Post-processing
pip install ansys-meshing-prime      # Meshing

# 4. Configure Claude Code CLI (~/.claude/settings.json)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "ansys": {
      "command": "/path/to/ansys-mcp-server/.venv/bin/python",
      "args": ["-m", "ansys_mcp_server.server"],
      "cwd": "/path/to/ansys-mcp-server/src"
    }
  }
}

# 5. Restart Claude Code CLI — done!

Option 3: pip install

pip install git+https://github.com/vorobjewsen30-max/ansys-mcp-server.git

# Then add to Claude Code config:
# "command": "ansys-mcp-server"

🧰 Tools (30 total)

🚀 Simulation Management (NEW — persistent GUI)

🔧 Mesh Operations

⚙️ Model Configuration

🚀 Run & Monitor

📊 Results Processing

🔄 Cross-Product Workflow (NEW)

📖 Help & Documentation

🔄 Workflow-aware AI

The LLM doesn't just call random tools — it understands the engineering pipeline.

When you say "Run a CFD analysis on this pipe", the AI knows:

1. First: load geometry (ansys_load_geometry — "FIRST STEP")

2. Then: generate mesh (ansys_mesh_generate — "SECOND STEP")

3. Then: materials, BCs, solver settings

4. Then: solve, monitor convergence

5. Finally: export results

When you say "Fluid-structure interaction on a valve", the AI knows:

• CFD in Fluent → export pressures → FEA in Mechanical → map results back

• It calls ansys_list_workflows("fsi") to get the full pipeline step-by-step

When you say "How do I set up a thermal analysis?", the AI calls ansys_list_workflows("thermal") and shows you the pipeline.

The tool descriptions are written with pipeline context — every tool knows what comes before and after it.

📦 Supported Ansys Products

Install what you need:

pip install ansys-fluent-core        # Fluent only
pip install ansys-mapdl-core         # MAPDL only
pip install ansys-fluent-core ansys-dpf-core ansys-meshing-prime  # Multiple

🔐 License

The MCP server does not handle licensing directly. PyAnsys picks up your Ansys license automatically from the standard environment:

# Already set by Ansys installation usually:
export ANSYSLI_SERVER="1055@your-license-server"
export ANSYSLMD_LICENSE_FILE="1055@your-license-server"

# Or for enterprise PyPIM:
export ANSYS_PLATFORM_INSTANCEMANAGEMENT_CONFIG="/path/to/config"

If fluent or mapdl work from your terminal, the MCP server will work too.

🏗️ Architecture

┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  Claude Code CLI                                              │
│  "Simulate pipe flow, then transfer to FEA for stress"        │
└──────────────────────┬────────────────────────────────────────┘
                       │ stdio (JSON-RPC via MCP protocol)
┌──────────────────────▼────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  ansys-mcp-server (Python)                                    │
│  ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐  │
│  │ 30 MCP Tools + Workflow Awareness                        │  │
│  │ ┌─────────┐ ┌──────────┐ ┌──────────┐ ┌──────────────┐ │  │
│  │ │ Session │ │  Mesh    │ │  Solve   │ │  Workflow    │ │  │
│  │ │  Mgmt   │ │  Ops     │ │  & Post  │ │  Pipeline    │ │  │
│  │ └─────────┘ └──────────┘ └──────────┘ └──────────────┘ │  │
│  │                      │                                   │  │
│  │      execute_tui() / scheme.exec() / journal fallback    │  │
│  └──────────────────────┬────────────────────────────────────┘  │
│                          │ 3-tier delivery                       │
│  ┌──────────────────────▼────────────────────────────────────┐  │
│  │               LiveAnsysSession (singleton)                │  │
│  │  One persistent Fluent window — never duplicated          │  │
│  │  PID: 12345 | Commands: 47 | Uptime: 12 min              │  │
│  └──────────────────────┬────────────────────────────────────┘  │
└─────────────────────────┼──────────────────────────────────────┘
                          │
              ┌───────────┴───────────┐
              │      PyAnsys          │
              │  (fluent / mapdl /    │
              │   mechanical / dpf)   │
              └───────────┬───────────┘
                          │
              ┌───────────▼───────────┐
              │   Ansys License Mgr   │
              │   (ANSYSLI_SERVER)    │
              └───────────┬───────────┘
                          │
              ┌───────────▼───────────┐
              │  Ansys Solver Process │
              │  (fluent / mapdl /    │
              │   mechanical)         │
              │  ┌─────────────────┐  │
              │  │ GUI Window      │  │
              │  │ • Mesh renders  │  │
              │  │ • Convergence   │  │
              │  │ • Field data    │  │
              │  └─────────────────┘  │
              └───────────────────────┘

Delivery tiers (per command):

1. session.execute_tui() — direct TUI command via gRPC (preferred)

2. session.scheme.exec() — Scheme evaluation (fallback)

3. Journal file + auto-load (last resort)

❓ FAQ

Q: Does it work without a license? A: The server runs and all tools respond with guidance and API examples. But actual solver launch requires a licensed Ansys installation. On a machine with a valid license, PyAnsys picks it up automatically.

Q: What Ansys versions are supported? A: PyAnsys supports 2024 R1 and newer (versions 241+). This server targets 2025 R1 (251) by default but accepts any version.

Q: Can it run on a remote HPC cluster? A: Yes — PyAnsys supports connecting to remote Fluent/Mechanical instances. Configure via ANSYS_PLATFORM_INSTANCEMANAGEMENT_CONFIG (PyPIM). For Slurm-based clusters, use ansys-mapdl-core with launch_mapdl(start_instance=False) and point to the cluster's solver binary.

Q: Is this affiliated with Ansys/Synopsys? A: No. This is an independent community project. Ansys and Fluent are trademarks of Ansys Inc. / Synopsys.

Q: Does the AI understand multiphysics workflows? A: Yes. The server includes ansys_list_workflows which describes the full pipeline for CFD, FEA, thermal, and FSI. The LLM understands which product handles what, and in which order to call tools. For example, FSI = Fluent (fluid) → Mechanical (structure) with mesh transfer in between.

Q: Can Claude Code run a full parametric study? A: Yes. Describe it: "Run 10 cases varying inlet velocity from 1 to 10 m/s, collect pressure drop, make a plot" — Claude Code calls the tools in a loop automatically.

Q: Can it work with my existing .cas/.dat/.mechdb/.inp files? A: Yes. Use ansys_run_simulation with the input_file parameter pointing to your existing file. For CAD geometry (.stp, .iges, .scdoc), use ansys_load_geometry first.

Q: Does it save result files automatically? A: Yes. After each simulation, result files are saved to the output directory: Fluent writes .cas.h5 + .dat.h5, Mechanical writes .rst, MAPDL writes .rst/.rth. You can also manually export with ansys_export_results in CSV, VTK, HDF5, or NPZ format.

Q: What result formats can I get? A: ansys_export_results supports: CSV (Excel/Python analysis), VTK/VTU (ParaView visualization), HDF5 (efficient binary for ML pipelines), NPZ (NumPy-compatible). Plus auto-generated reports in Markdown/HTML/PDF.

Q: Can it handle transient simulations? A: Yes. Set time-stepping via ansys_set_parameters with {"time": "transient", "time_step_size": 0.01, "num_time_steps": 100}.

Q: What turbulence models are available? A: Through Fluent/MAPDL: k-epsilon (standard, RNG, realizable), k-omega (standard, SST), Spalart-Allmaras, Reynolds Stress, LES, DES. Describe what you need and Claude Code will configure the right one.

Q: Can it do multiphase? A: Yes — VOF, Eulerian, Mixture, DPM. Tell Claude Code: "set up a VOF model for water-air free surface".

Q: Can I use it on Windows while Ansys runs on Linux? A: Yes. The MCP server runs wherever Claude Code runs. If Ansys is on a Linux workstation, install the server there and connect Claude Code to it.

Q: What if the simulation diverges? A: Claude Code can diagnose and fix it. ansys_get_convergence shows which equations are problematic. Claude Code adjusts under-relaxation, switches to first-order, or refines the mesh.

Q: After rebooting, do I need to restart the MCP server? A: No. If configured via settings.json (which install.sh does automatically), Claude Code CLI starts the MCP server on launch.

Q: Is there a --upgrade flag? A: Yes. ./install.sh --upgrade or install.bat --upgrade pulls the latest code and upgrades packages without touching ~/.claude/settings.json.

🤝 Contributing

git clone https://github.com/vorobjewsen30-max/ansys-mcp-server.git
cd ansys-mcp-server
# Create a branch, make changes, send a PR

📄 License

MIT — use it, fork it, ship it.

🤖 Built for Claude Code · Powered by PyAnsys · MCP Protocol