How to build your first woodworking project in ChatGPT

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Walk through a complete woodworking project in ChatGPT from start to finish: connect your Sawdust account, describe the build, inspect the 3D model, ask for an edit, check the cut list and shopping list, and share the guide.

Once you connect ChatGPT to Sawdust, you can take a woodworking project from a one-sentence description to a finished 3D model, cut sheet, shopping list, and shareable guide in a single conversation. For examples of projects a connected assistant can create, see the connected-assistant project gallery.

1. Connect ChatGPT and open a project

If you have not linked your account yet, follow Connect Sawdust to ChatGPT to add the Sawdust MCP connector and click Approve on the authorization screen. You can manage or revoke access at any time in Settings -> Connected assistants.

Sawdust authorization screen asking to approve ChatGPT with projects:read, projects:write, and procedures:write permissions.

2. Describe what you want to build with stock and dimensions

Start a chat with the Sawdust connector enabled and tell ChatGPT what you want to build, the overall dimensions, and the lumber or sheet stock you want to use. Naming standard nominal stock (such as 2x4, 2x6, or 3/4 in plywood) helps the assistant pick stock that matches what is sold at your local lumberyard.

Create a new Sawdust project for a sturdy 2x4 sawhorse at 36 in long and 30 in tall with an I-beam top, splayed legs mitered at 15 degrees, and 2-1/2 in structural screws.

ChatGPT creates the project, adds the 2x4 boards, runs the miter saw and placement steps, and fastens the assembly. You can open the live model right away in Sawdust, or compare the finished result to the shared Sawhorse project.

Assembled 2x4 Sawhorse model in Sawdust showing the I-beam top rail and splayed legs.

3. Review the 3D build and ask for an adjustment

Open the project in the Sawdust workshop view to orbit the 3D model, click any board to check its dimensions in the Inspector, or click Show me how to watch how each piece is cut on the saw. For more on inspecting parts, see How to inspect part geometry and dimensions in Sawdust and How to watch a part's fabrication with Show me how.

If you want to change a dimension, swap lumber sizes, or add a shelf, ask ChatGPT directly in the same thread:

Add a lower tool shelf across the splayed legs 10 in up from the floor using a 2x4 stretcher, and widen the top beam to 42 in.

For tips on sending close-up screenshots and handling complex edits, see How to change a woodworking design and fix errors in ChatGPT.

4. Get your cut list, shopping list, and share link

When the 3D model looks right, ask ChatGPT to compose the project guide and turn on sharing:

Write a step-by-step build guide for this sawhorse in Publish -> Guide with 3D figures for each assembly stage, then enable public sharing and send me the link.

From the shared project page (or Publish -> Print in the workshop), you can print the PDF cut sheet and shopping list or view the build at true scale in your room with View in AR. See How to get your cut sheet, shopping list, build guide, and AR view from a ChatGPT project for a full walkthrough.