MCP Tools Limitations

Notice: Available with Archicad Collaborate or Archicad Max.
MCP can only perform actions that the Archicad API exposes. When an operation is not available through that API, the AI cannot safely complete it, even if Archicad itself can do it manually. The following limitations should be considered when making MCP requests:
  • Parameter hierarchy: The AI cannot move a list item (ex. classification, keynote,…) to a different parent or group or reorder it among its siblings.
  • Element properties that cannot be edited: The AI cannot change Font, Font size, Font style, Line type, Text Pen, Label type, or Dimension Pointer Line Type. GDL-related properties—such as window and door parameters, frame width, and object parameters—are also generally unavailable for editing.
  • Visibility and selection: Non-visible elements are not fully supported, so the AI may be able to find,or modify them reliably but won’t be able to show non-visible elements. Users must specify if they want to modify non-visible elements as well.
  • Layer combinations: The contents of a custom layer combination cannot be read. The AI can only determine that a custom combination is present, not which layer settings it contains.
  • View and layout settings: Missing or not-applicable view settings cannot be read. The AI cannot switch to a Master Layout. AI can also produce an incorrect current Renovation Filter on Layout, or show the disabled Renovation Filter instead in the Action Center or Report window. Although the disabled Renovation Filter can be changed through the AI in the Action Center, Layout, Master Layout, and Report window, Archicad displays a warning and the result may not match the intended active filter.
  • Capabilities not yet investigated: API support has not yet been confirmed for listing properties or classifications unused by model elements, placing External Drawings, setting the date and time for the 3D Window, or accessing the 3D View Settings DPI.
  • Archicad modal dialogs: A tool call may open a warning or information dialog that requires a person to click an option such as Continue or Undo. While the dialog is open, processing is blocked. The AI cannot currently read the dialog text or relay the user’s choice. In AI Assistant, the user cannot submit another prompt; with Public MCP, new requests wait until the dialog is dismissed directly in Archicad. Check Archicad—especially when using multiple monitors—if a request appears stuck.
  • When AI Assistant applies a Favorite to an existing element:
    • Structural Analytical Model parameters are not applied
    • Surface values are applied only when a surface override is active. (In contrast, Archicad’s own Apply command sets surfaces each time.)
    • The "Exclude ID/Home Story" setting always prevails (regardless of the current default in Element Transfer Settings)
  • When AI Assistant assigns a Favorite as the element default:
    • All settings of the Favorite are included, including ID and Home Story.
  • Specify property names precisely: When you want to query or modify a specific property, name the property explicitly. Some properties have similar names, and the AI may otherwise confuse them and return or change the wrong one—for example: ”Change the surface of the walls to Wooden -Horizontal.” Instead of this, specify which surface you want to modify: “Change the edge surface of the wall to Wooden - Horizontal”