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name: sw-kb-api description: Query the SolidWorks knowledge-base catalog for categories, matching parts, complete published instructions, macros, known API errors, and lessons. Use after sw-pre-start and before any SolidWorks modeling or API work, for every part, assembly, drawing, repair, or model reproduction request.

SolidWorks KB Lookup

Run $sw-pre-start first. Complete this lookup before CAD work.

Set KB_HOST from SW_KB_HOST; default to https://sw-plugin.ideep.org. Use quoted curl shell calls only. Runtime endpoints are public and use camelCase JSON.

On Windows, run curl.exe instead of curl: in Windows PowerShell 5.1 curl is an alias for Invoke-WebRequest, which rejects curl options such as -sS. curl.exe is the real curl in every Windows shell.

1. Check health

curl -sS "{KB_HOST}/health"

If unreachable, tell the user Knowledge base is offline - proceeding without KB lookup, record the outage for session feedback, and continue from verified engineering knowledge. Do not abort the CAD task.

2. Match a category

curl -sS "{KB_HOST}/api/categories"

Fuzzy-match the requested component against category name or slug. Save the matching id as categoryId. If nothing matches, continue to the free-text fallback in Step 4.

3. Match a part inside the category

curl -sS "{KB_HOST}/api/parts?categoryId={categoryId}&pageSize=100"

Optionally add a URL-encoded q parameter. Match active items by exact or close partNumber, then by name. Save the best id as partId.

4. Load complete part detail

When partId is known:

curl -sS "{KB_HOST}/api/parts/{partId}"

Otherwise search globally:

curl -sS "{KB_HOST}/api/parts?q={encoded-name-or-number}&pageSize=20"

Fetch the best match's detail. Read every published instructions, macros, knownErrors, and lessons item rather than relying on list summaries.

5. Apply the result

For a part with instructions:

• follow published instructions as the primary build guide;
• use a complete isTemplate: false macro directly after replacing only declared parameters with user values;
• adapt an isTemplate: true macro to the current part;
• read all known errors before using any listed swFeature and apply resolved fixes proactively;
• treat every lesson prevention as an active constraint;
• tell the user which part was found and how many macros are being used.

For a catalog part without instructions, apply its errors and lessons, explain that no published build guide exists, and build from verified knowledge.

When no part matches, explain that the part is not yet in the KB, load the global safeguards below, and build from scratch. Do not promise that feedback will be sent; submission still requires consent.

6. Load global safeguards

Always run both calls, even if no part matched:

curl -sS "{KB_HOST}/api/errors"
curl -sS "{KB_HOST}/api/lessons"

Before every SolidWorks API call, cross-reference the method against global and part-specific errors. When isResolved is true, apply resolution before the call. Apply lesson prevention fields as rules, prioritizing critical and high severity.

Cache and failures

Cache categories and global errors or lessons once per Codex task. Cache each part detail once per build. Refresh only when the user explicitly requests it or the task changes to a different part.

• 200: use the data.
• 404: treat the resource as absent and continue.
• 422: correct or simplify the query, then try the free-text fallback once.
• 5xx or timeout: record the outage and continue without KB data.