FreeCAD Build Tool
Overview
The FreeCAD build tool or fcbt is a python script located at
trunc/src/Tools/fcbt.py
It can be used to simplify some frequent tasks in building, distributing and extending FreeCAD.
Usage
With Python correctly installed, fcbt can be invoked by the command
python fbct.py
It displays a menu, where you can select the task you want to use it for:
FreeCAD Build Tool
Usage:
fcbt <command name> [command parameter]
possible commands are:
- DistSrc (DS) Build a source Distr. of the current source tree
- DistBin (DB) Build a binary Distr. of the current source tree
- DistSetup (DI) Build a Setup Distr. of the current source tree
- DistSetup (DUI) Build a User Setup Distr. of the current source tree
- DistAll (DA) Run all three above modules
- NextBuildNumber (NBN) Increase the Build Number of this Version
- CreateModule (CM) Insert a new FreeCAD Module (Workbench) in the module directory
For help on the modules type:
fcbt <command name> ?
At the input prompt enter the abbreviated command you want to call. For example type "CM" for creating a module.
DistSrc
The command "DS" creates a source distribution of the current source tree.
DistBin
The command "DB" creates a binary distribution of the current source tree.
DistSetup
The command "DI" creates a setup distribution of the current source tree.
DistSetup
The command "DUI" creates a user setup distribution of the current source tree.
DistAll
The command "DA" executes "DS", "DB" and "DI" in sequence.
NextBuildNumber
The "NBN" command increments the build number to create a new release version of FreeCAD.
CreateModule
The "CM" command creates a new application module (Workbench).

- Getting started
- Installation: Download, Windows, Linux, Mac, Additional components, Docker, AppImage, Ubuntu Snap
- Basics: About FreeCAD, Interface, Mouse navigation, Selection methods, Object name, Preferences, Workbenches, Document structure, Properties, Help FreeCAD, Donate
- Help: Tutorials, Video tutorials
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- Hubs: User hub, Power users hub, Developer hub