Autodesk — Claude Code skill: drive 3ds Max from the shell
This skill lets a coding agent work inside Autodesk 3ds Max: inspect the open scene, objects, modifiers and materials, make bounded edits, run a small script.
npx skills add SFKislev/Flue --skill autodesk -a claude-codeWhat Autodesk does
It runs through Flue, a local bridge between the shell and a desktop app. The agent sends a command, 3dsmax_bridge.py picks it up, MAXScript or Python does the work, and a JSON result comes back. 3ds Max is covered today; more Autodesk adapters are planned.
The flow is short. The agent reads FLUE.md in the current directory first, since that file holds the bridge contract, a worked example and the safety expectations. Then it works out which app you have open and picks the matching adapter, such as adapters/3dsmax_adapter/3dsmax_bridge.py. With Flue already installed it also reads SKILL.md and the app's APP.md.
If Flue is missing, the agent has to tell you and must not install anything without your approval in that session. The install line is pip install flue && flue setup. One install covers every adapter, including Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere, After Effects, InDesign, Audition, Blender, Houdini, Unity and Microsoft Office. Because Flue acts inside professional software, the skill asks for small inspectable steps and no destructive moves unless you ask for them. It is MIT-licensed and readable on GitHub and PyPI before you run it.
What it helps with
- see what is currently in the open 3ds Max scene
- locate objects, modifiers and materials by name
- select objects and change their parameters
- run a short MAXScript or Python snippet from the agent
- get the result back as JSON instead of reading the viewport
Example prompts for the agent
- list every object in the current 3ds Max scene
- find all objects with a Turbosmooth modifier and show their settings
- select the cameras in the scene and print their positions
How to install Autodesk
1Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add SFKislev/Flue --skill autodesk -a claude-code2Manually: put the files in place
~/.claude/skills/autodesk/SKILL.mdCopy the whole skill folder; for one project use .claude/skills/autodesk/
1Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add SFKislev/Flue --skill autodesk -a codex2Manually: put the files in place
.agents/skills/autodesk/SKILL.mdFor all projects use ~/.agents/skills/
1Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add SFKislev/Flue --skill autodesk -a cursor2Manually: put the files in place
.cursor/skills/autodesk/SKILL.mdCursor also reads .agents/skills/ and .claude/skills/
1GitHub CLI
gh skill install SFKislev/Flue autodesk2Manually: put the files in place
.github/skills/autodesk/SKILL.md1Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add SFKislev/Flue --skill autodesk -a gemini-cli2Platform CLI
gemini skills install https://github.com/SFKislev/Flue --path skills/autodeskManually: put the files in place
.devin/skills/autodesk/SKILL.mdThe legacy .windsurf/skills/ path still works
Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add SFKislev/Flue --skill autodesk -a opencodeClaude.ai
Zip the folder and upload it in Settings → Capabilities → Skills
Step by step, with commands for each platform: How to install skills in Claude Code: five ways
Questions about Autodesk
How do I install Autodesk in Claude?
Run npx skills add SFKislev/Flue --skill autodesk -a claude-code. The skill then lives at ~/.claude/skills/autodesk/SKILL.md.
What does the Autodesk skill do?
It lets an agent operate inside Autodesk desktop apps through the Flue bridge: read the scene, make limited edits, run small scripts. 3ds Max is the app covered right now.
Do I need an MCP server?
No. Flue is a local shell-to-application bridge with its own stdin/stdout contract, so no MCP server is involved.
Source text
SKILL.md · MIT
--- name: Autodesk description: Control Autodesk desktop apps - 3ds Max and friends - from the shell via Flue, without an MCP server. --- This skill lets a coding agent operate **Autodesk desktop applications** through [Flue](https://github.com/SFKislev/flue), a local shell-to-application bridge. Flue currently covers **Autodesk 3ds Max** through a consistent stdin/stdout contract; further Autodesk adapters are in scope. > agent shell -> `3dsmax_bridge.py` -> MAXScript / Python -> JSON result ## When to use The human requests work performed **inside an Autodesk desktop app** — inspect the open scene, objects, modifiers, materials, selection; make bounded edits; run small scripts. A CLI agent cannot act inside these apps without a bridge like Flue. ## How to proceed 1. **Read `FLUE.md` in this directory first.** It explains how Flue works, the bridge contract, a worked example, and safety expectations. 2. **Identify which Autodesk app the human is working in** (currently 3ds Max) and use the matching adapter (e.g. `adapters/3dsmax_adapter/3dsmax_bridge.py`). 3. **If Flue is installed:** also read `C:\Users\fredd\.claude\skills\flue\SKILL.md` and the matching `adapters/<app>_adapter/APP.md` for the operational contract, then work from there. 4. **If Flue is not installed:** tell the human. The install command is `pip install flue && flue setup`. Do not install without explicit approval in the current session. ## Other apps Flue also supports Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere, After Effects, InDesign, Audition, Blender, Houdini, Unity, and Microsoft Office through the same stdin/stdout contract. One install covers all adapters. ## Safety Flue acts inside professional desktop software. Treat the human as the driver; prefer small, inspectable steps; avoid destructive actions unless explicitly requested. Flue is MIT-licensed and reviewable on GitHub / PyPI before use.
© SFKislev · MIT · SFKislev/Flue
