For the Gemini app and Gemini CLI · Free
PrintPal for Gemini: 3D printing tools in Gemini and the Gemini CLI
Add PrintPal's MCP server to Gemini and ask about models, filament, print costs and failed prints in plain language. The same URL works in the Gemini CLI and in agents you build with Google's ADK.
- Free
- No auth
- Gemini app & CLI
- Works with Google ADK
- 402 g of filament left
- About 135 m of 1.75 mm PLA
- Enough for eight more 45 g prints
What is PrintPal for Gemini?
PrintPal for Gemini connects Google Gemini to PrintPal, a 3D printing platform, through a free remote MCP server at https://printpal.io/mcp. With it, Gemini can search printable 3D models, run print-cost, filament, layer-height and volumetric-flow calculators, answer troubleshooting questions with citations from PrintPal's wiki, and find Arduino and ESP32 build guides.
It works as a custom app in the Gemini app, as an MCP server in the open-source Gemini CLI, and as an MCPToolset in agents built with Google's Agent Development Kit.
Updated October 27, 2026 · Made by PrintPal
At a glance
- Works in
- Gemini app (custom apps), Gemini CLI, Google ADK agents
- Price
- Free. AI 3D generation uses PrintPal credits and is optional.
- Account needed
- No
- Server URL
https://printpal.io/mcp- Transport
- Streamable HTTP
- Tools
- 16
What PrintPal for Gemini can do
Model search
Find printable STL, 3MF and OBJ models from the PrintPal community library with author and license.
Filament and cost math
Grams to metres, spool remaining, cost per print and a suggested selling price.
Cited fixes
Warping, stringing, under-extrusion and error codes, answered from the full PrintPal wiki article with a link.
Gemini CLI ready
One gemini mcp add command, or a few lines in settings.json, and the tools are available in every session.
Build your own agent
Point an ADK MCPToolset at the server to give your own Gemini agent 3D printing skills.
Design hand-off
Gemini drafts a CAD brief for PrintPal's AI CAD agent or opens the AI 3D generator with your prompt.
How to add PrintPal to Gemini
- In the Gemini app, open Settings → Connected apps → Custom apps and choose Add.
- Paste
https://printpal.io/mcpas the server URL. No authentication is needed. - In a chat, mention @PrintPal and ask your question.
- For the Gemini CLI, run the command below instead and restart the CLI.
Custom apps in the Gemini app roll out by plan and region. The Gemini CLI works everywhere.
Adds PrintPal to your Gemini CLI settings.
gemini mcp add --transport http printpal https://printpal.io/mcpOr add it by hand to ~/.gemini/settings.json. Add a headers entry with Authorization: Bearer $PRINTPAL_API_KEY to enable direct AI generation.
{
"mcpServers": {
"printpal": {
"httpUrl": "https://printpal.io/mcp",
"timeout": 60000
}
}
}Give your own Gemini agent PrintPal's tools.
from google.adk.tools.mcp_tool.mcp_toolset import MCPToolset
from google.adk.tools.mcp_tool.mcp_session_manager import StreamableHTTPConnectionParams
printpal = MCPToolset(
connection_params=StreamableHTTPConnectionParams(url="https://printpal.io/mcp")
)Prompts to try in Gemini
The 16 PrintPal tools
Every AI assistant integration exposes the same tools from the PrintPal MCP server. Fifteen are read-only; only generate_3d_model can spend credits, and only when you add your own API key.
| Tool | What it does | API key? |
|---|---|---|
search_3d_models | Find printable STL, 3MF and OBJ models in the PrintPal community library, with thumbnail, author, license and stats. | No |
get_3d_model | Details, files, license and the download link for one model. | No |
calculate_print_cost | Material, electricity, machine wear, labor and failure allowance, plus a suggested selling price. | No |
calculate_filament_usage | Filament grams to metres to cost, and how much is left on a spool. | No |
calculate_layer_heights | Z-axis "magic number" layer heights for your printer's leadscrew and stepper. | No |
calculate_volumetric_flow | Check a print speed and layer height against your hotend's volumetric flow limit. | No |
search_learning_resources | Search the vendor-neutral 3D printing wiki, OpenSCAD and AI CAD docs, video tutorials and Academy courses. | No |
search_build_guides | Find Arduino / ESP32 + 3D-printed project guides by idea, difficulty, time and cost. | No |
get_build_guide | Bill of materials, downloadable files and every step of one build guide. | No |
design_parametric_cad | Turn a part description into a precise CAD brief and a link that opens PrintPal's AI CAD agent prefilled. | No |
generate_3d_model | AI text-to-3D and image-to-3D. Without a key it returns a prefilled link to printpal.io; with your API key it starts the generation on your credits. | Optional |
check_3d_generation | Poll a generation started with your key and get the download link. | Yes |
find_3d_printing_tool | Recommend the right free PrintPal browser tool or calculator for a task. | No |
get_pricing_and_plans | What is free, how credits work and which plan fits. | No |
search | Search everything on PrintPal at once: models, tools, wiki, docs, videos, guides and courses. | No |
fetch | Read any search result in full (for example a wiki article) so the assistant can quote and cite it. | No |
Who uses PrintPal for Gemini
Terminal-first makers
Ask the Gemini CLI for a print cost or a layer height without leaving your shell.
Agent builders
Add 3D printing knowledge to a support bot, a classroom assistant or a print-farm agent.
Quick answers on the go
Check a filament setting or a fix from your phone while you stand at the printer.
Privacy and how it works
What PrintPal for Gemini sends, stores and never touches.
- No account, sign-in or OAuth. The server is public and stateless, so nothing is stored between calls.
- PrintPal only sees the tool inputs the assistant sends (search text, calculator numbers, a model id). It does not see your conversation.
- No personal data is collected and nothing is used for AI training.
- Links back to printpal.io carry a
utm_sourcetag so we can see which assistant sent the visit; no identifier is attached. - Your optional API key is only sent to printpal.io and only unlocks credit-based AI generation.
Frequently asked questions about PrintPal for Gemini
Can Gemini help with 3D printing?
Yes. With the PrintPal app connected, Gemini can search printable 3D models, calculate filament usage and print costs, find magic-number layer heights, check volumetric flow, and troubleshoot failed prints with citations from PrintPal's wiki.
How do I add an MCP server to the Gemini CLI?
Run gemini mcp add --transport http printpal https://printpal.io/mcp, or add an mcpServers entry with "httpUrl": "https://printpal.io/mcp" to ~/.gemini/settings.json, then restart the CLI.
Does PrintPal work in the Gemini app?
Where your Gemini plan supports custom apps, add https://printpal.io/mcp under Settings, Connected apps, Custom apps, then mention @PrintPal in a chat. No sign-in is required.
Can I use PrintPal tools in my own Gemini agent?
Yes. In Google's Agent Development Kit, create an MCPToolset with StreamableHTTPConnectionParams(url="https://printpal.io/mcp"). The same tools are also available as REST endpoints described at https://printpal.io/mcp/openapi.json.
Is it free?
Yes. All tools except direct AI 3D generation are free and anonymous. Generation either returns a prefilled link to printpal.io or, with your PrintPal API key, uses your credits.
What data does PrintPal receive from Gemini?
Only the tool inputs Gemini sends, like a search phrase or calculator numbers. PrintPal does not see your conversation, collects no personal data and does not use requests for training.
Get PrintPal for Gemini
Use PrintPal as a custom app in Gemini, in the Gemini CLI, or in agents built with Google's Agent Development Kit. Free to install. See all integrations.