Build faster with APS: API documentation now available through Autodesk Product Help MCP

Building with Autodesk Platform Services (APS) keeps getting easier!

APS API reference documentation is now accessible through the Autodesk Product Help MCP Server. This brings APS knowledge directly into AI coding tools such as Cursor and Claude Code.

Whether you're automating design workflows, integrating Autodesk Forma and Fusion data, building cloud applications, or connecting Autodesk services with enterprise systems, your AI coding assistant can now access relevant APS API documentation and help you write code.

Less time switching between documentation and your development environment. More time building with APS.

Your APS documentation, right where you build

Autodesk Platform Services offers APIs spanning design and manufacturing data, construction workflows, cloud automation, and enterprise integrations.

Developers can use the AEC Data Model API to query building information, Automation APIs to process design files in the cloud, Data Exchange to share design data across applications, and Webhooks to build event-driven integrations.

Each capability has its own endpoints, authentication requirements, and implementation considerations. Understanding how these services work together often means navigating multiple API references and translating technical specifications into code.

With the Product Help MCP Server connected, AI coding assistants can retrieve official APS API references directly within the development workflow.

This also helps address a common challenge with AI-generated code: assistants may rely on incomplete or outdated API knowledge. Access to official APS references provides more reliable technical context for generating and troubleshooting integrations.

From API discovery to faster development

With APS knowledge available through the Product Help MCP Server, developers can start by focusing on what they want to accomplish, rather than which APIs they need to use.

For example, instead of asking how to implement a specific API, developers can describe the capability they're looking to build:

• "How can I extract building element properties from my Forma project?"

• "I want to automate repetitive design tasks for my Inventor files. How should I approach this?"

• "How can I integrate Autodesk Forma project data with an external business system?"

• "I want to receive notifications when files change in my Autodesk project. What would I need?"

With access to official APS documentation, the AI coding assistant can help identify relevant APIs, explain how different services fit together, and suggest implementation approaches based on the developer's goal.

This creates an opportunity to shift from API-first exploration to outcome driven development, where developers can focus on the functionality they want to deliver while their coding assistant helps navigate the APS capabilities needed to support it.

Go from idea to execution on APS faster

Building an APS-powered application often involves connecting multiple services, understanding their dependencies, and translating API requirements into working code.

With APS knowledge available through the Product Help MCP Server, developers can take a more goal-driven approach, starting with an idea of what they want to build rather than figuring out every API and integration detail upfront.

Imagine asking your AI coding assistant:

"Help me prototype a web application that allows users to authenticate with Autodesk, upload a Revit mode and visualize it in the Autodesk Viewer."

With access to official APS API references, the assistant can help identify the relevant services, understand their requirements, and generate starter code to bring the idea to life.

The same approach can support a broader range of APS workflows, from automating design processes to exploring integrations across construction, manufacturing, and enterprise systems.

By combining the coding assistant's development capabilities with APS-specific knowledge, developers can move more efficiently from an initial idea to a functional proof of concept, spending less time navigating technical details and more time validating and refining their solutions.

See it in action

Get started with the Autodesk Product Help MCP Server

Connect the Autodesk Product Help MCP Server to your preferred MCP-compatible AI coding tool using the official integration instructions:

Autodesk Product Help MCP Server

Once connected, you can start exploring APS APIs, retrieving documentation, and using that knowledge in your development workflows.

Here are a few prompts to explore what's possible.

Explore APS APIs

• "What's the difference between two-legged and three-legged OAuth authentication in APS?"

• "How can I query model elements and properties using the AEC Data Model API?"

• "How do I configure and execute an AutoCAD Automation API job?"

• "Which APIs can I use to retrieve project data from Autodesk Forma?"

Build prototypes with APS APIs

• "Help me prototype a web application that authenticates users with Autodesk and allows them to browse files in an Forma project."

• "Generate starter code using the AEC Data Model API to retrieve building element information and visualize it in a dashboard."

• "Help me plan and prototype a cloud-based design processing workflow using the Automation API."

• "Explore how Data Exchange can be used to integrate Autodesk design data with an external business system, and generate a sample implementation."

• "Help me create a proof of concept that retrieves manufacturing design data using the Manufacturing Data Model API."

Troubleshoot APS integrations

• "My Data Management API request is returning a 403 error. What should I check?"

• "Why is my AEC Data Model GraphQL query not returning the expected results?"

• "My Automation API job failed while processing a design file. How can I investigate the error?"

• "My Webhooks integration isn't receiving expected events. What configuration should I verify?"

Frequently Asked Questions

What APS content is available through the Product Help MCP Server?

The initial integration includes only APS API reference documentation published on the APS website. Blogs, tutorials, and code samples on the APS website are not part of this initial release.

Which AI coding tools can I use?

The server works with AI coding assistants that support compatible remote MCP connections, including Cursor and Claude Code.

How is this different from Autodesk Assistant on APS?

Autodesk Assistant helps users accomplish more inside Autodesk products by answering questions, providing guidance, and assisting with product-specific tasks. It provides an AI-powered experience within the APS website that helps you access API documentation, tutorials, blogs, and code samples.

The Autodesk Product Help MCP Server brings the same APS API reference documentation into external AI coding tools, so developers can use that information while working on their applications.

Does the MCP server execute APS APIs or access my project data?

No. The Product Help MCP Server provides documentation access. It doesn't independently execute APS API requests or access customer project data.

Your coding assistant may separately execute application code or interact with APS APIs using credentials and tools you've configured.

Can I use it to build a complete APS application?

AI coding assistants connected to the Product Help MCP Server can use official APS references to help generate application code and implement API integrations. The generally available Autodesk Product Help MCP Server provides documentation access. It doesn't independently execute APS API requests or access customer project data.

The resulting application's functionality and production readiness depend on its requirements, the development tools being used, and appropriate testing and validation.

What is the difference between the Autodesk Product Help MCP and APS Workflow MCP?

The generally available Autodesk Product Help MCP Server provides documentation access. It doesn't independently execute APS API requests or access customer project data.

The APS Workflow MCP is a private beta that both provides documentation and workflow execution.