
Layerling is a free, open-source browser-based 3D CAD tool aimed at 3D printing enthusiasts who want functional parts without learning complex software or creating an account. It works much like Tinkercad: drag shapes onto a virtual build plate, turn some into holes, group them, and export. Layerling adds practical features such as chamfers and fillets that remain editable, sketches, threads, gears, hole patterns, hollowing, STEP export for true CAD geometry, multicolour support, and printer-specific build plates with overhang warnings. Designs stay entirely local in the browser, require no sign-up, and can even be driven by an AI assistant via its MCP server. I recently designed a simple phone stand with rounded edges and a cable slot using Layerling. Within a few minutes I had dropped a couple of boxes, cut the slot, applied a fillet to the top edges, and exported a clean STL, something that would have been far more fiddly in Tinkercad and far heavier in a full CAD package. The interface felt immediately familiar, the lack of any account friction was refreshing, and the part printed perfectly the first time. In this step by step guide I will show you how to install Layerling on your UGREEN NAS using Docker & Dockhand.
đĄNote:
This guide works perfectly with the latest Layerling v1.99.0Â release.
đĄNote: Check out my guide on how to Install Layerling on Your Synology NAS.
STEP 1
Please Support My work by Making a Donation.
STEP 2
Install Dockhand using my step by step guide. If you already have Dockhand installed on your UGREEN NAS, skip this STEP. â ď¸Attention: Make sure you have installed the latest Dockhand version.
STEP 3
â ď¸Mandatory: Enable HTTPS on your UGREEN NAS.
STEP 4
Create a new hostname on the noip website using your noip account. For example, I have created mariuslayer as Host and I use the free ddns.net domain. In the IP Address area, type in your own IPV4 IP address from your ISP, then click Create. Follow the instructions in the image below.

STEP 5
â ď¸Mandatory: Add Read & Write Permissions to the Docker Folder.
STEP 6
Go to Files and open the docker folder. Inside the docker folder, create one new folder and name it layerling. Follow the instructions in the image below.
Note: Be careful to enter only lowercase, not uppercase letters.

STEP 7
Now create one new folder inside the layerling folder that you have previously created at STEP 6 and name it projects. Follow the instructions in the image below.
Note: Be careful to enter only lowercase, not uppercase letters.

STEP 8
Open your browser and type in http://ugreen-ip-address:3866 to connect to your Dockhand container. On the left sidebar, click Stacks then + Create. Follow the instructions in the image below.

STEP 9
In the Stack name field, type in layerling. â ď¸Warning: Type in the name in lowercase letters. The installation process can take up to a few seconds/minutes. It will depend on your Internet speed connection. Follow the instructions in the image below.
Note: Copy Paste the code below in the Dockhand Compose Stack then click Create & Start.
services:
layerling:
image: henmedia/layerling:latest
container_name: Layerling
security_opt:
- no-new-privileges:true
user: 0:0
healthcheck:
test: ["CMD", "node", "-e", "fetch('http://127.0.0.1:3000/').then(r=>process.exit(r.ok?0:1)).catch(()=>process.exit(1))"]
interval: 30s
timeout: 10s
retries: 3
start_period: 60s
ports:
- 3665:3000
volumes:
- /volume1/docker/layerling/projects:/shared-projects:rw
environment:
PORT: 3000
HOSTNAME: 0.0.0.0
NEXT_TELEMETRY_DISABLED: 0 #0 to disable telemetry.
LAYERLING_SHARED_PROJECTS_DIR: /shared-projects
LAYERLING_NEW_DESIGNS_ON_SERVER: true
LAYERLING_MCP_REMOTE: true
LAYERLING_MCP_TOKEN: EvuEEpExtkPtbaLBamjBsXyKZCtzHSjBWFLCNkFtfKxhbFOevPNeoqqxQvgbhfAF
LAYERLING_MCP_ALLOWED_HOSTS: mariuslayer.ddns.net
LAYERLING_ALLOWED_ORIGINS: https://mariuslayer.ddns.net,http://192.168.1.18:3665
restart: on-failure:5
Note: Before you paste the code above in the Web editor area below, change the value for LAYERLING_MCP_TOKEN. (Generate your own Random 64 length LAYERLING_MCP_TOKEN.)
Note: Before you paste the code above in the Web editor area below, change the value for LAYERLING_MCP_ALLOWED_HOSTS and type in your own NO IP DDNS without https:// at the beginning that you have previously created at STEP 4.
Note: Before you paste the code above in the Web editor area below, change the value for LAYERLING_ALLOWED_ORIGINS and type in your own NO IP DDNS with https:// at the beginning that you have previously created at STEP 4. Separated with a comma, type in your Local NAS IP with http:// at the beginning and :3665 at the end.

STEP 10
If everything goes right, you will see the following message at the bottom right of your screen: âCreated stack “layerling”â.

STEP 11
Open your Nginx Proxy Manager container that you have previously installed at STEP 3. Click Add Proxy Host. A new pop up window will open. Add the following details:
Domain Names: Type in your own noip domain name that you have previously created at STEP 4.
Scheme: http
Forward Hostname/IP: Type in the local NAS IP of your UGREEN NAS.
Forward Port: Type in the Layerling local Port that is 3665
Check Block Common Exploits
Check Websockets Support
Click the SSL tab. Follow the instructions in the image below.

STEP 12
After you click the SSL tab, add the following details:
SSL Certificate: Request a new SSL Certificate
Check: Force SSL
Check: HSTS Enabled
Check: HTTP/2 Support
Click Save. Follow the instructions in the image below.

STEP 13
In the Proxy Hosts area, if everything goes right, you will see that your hostname has been generated. Click on it. Follow the instructions in the image below.

STEP 14
đ˘Please Support My work by Making a Donation. Almost 99,9% of the people that install something using my guides forget to support my work, or just ignore STEP 1. Iâve been very honest about this aspect of my work since the beginning: I donât run any ADS, I donât require subscriptions, paid or otherwise, I donât collect IPs, emails, and I donât have any referral links from Amazon or other merchants. I also donât have any POP-UPs or COOKIES. I have repeatedly been told over the years how much I have contributed to the community. Itâs something I love doing and have been honest about my passion since the beginning. But I also Need The Community to Support me Back to be able to continue doing this work.
STEP 15
Now open your browser and type in your HTTPS/SSL certificate like this https://yourname.ddns.net that you have previously created at STEP 4. In my case it’s https://mariuslayer.ddns.net Click Create new 3D design. Follow the instructions in the image below.

STEP 16
Your SHAPES at a glance!

STEP 17
Your Layerling dashboard at a glance!

đĄEXTRA SETTINGS
STEP A
Connect Claude (MCP) to the NAS copy: The MCP server itself runs on your own computer. Your AI client starts it, and it talks to the Layerling container over the network with the LAYERLING_MCP_TOKEN that you have previously added at STEP 9. So your computer needs a copy of the layerling repo and Node.js.
On your computer, install Node.js 20 or newer, then run:
git clone https://github.com/henmedia/layerling.git cd layerling npm install
Keep in mind to note the absolute path of the folder, for example /Users/mariushosting/layerling.
STEP B
Open an editor tab of the NAS copy and keep it open: http://192.168.1.18:3665/?editor=1
Note: Change 192.168.1.18 with your own Local NAS IP. So keep open the LOCAL NAS IP with http:// at the beginning and :3665/?editor=1 at the end.

Note: The AI can only see editor tabs opened under an address that only your network can use: an IP address, a name without a dot, or a name ending in .local or .lan. A synology.me DDNS address only counts if it is in LAYERLING_MCP_ALLOWED_HOSTS at STEP 9. The NAS copy cannot open an editor for the AI, so you need to open it.
STEP C
Claude Desktop: go to Settings / Developer / Edit Config and add the layerling server. Replace the path, LOCAL NAS IP and LAYERLING_MCP_TOKEN that you have previously added at STEP 9 with your own:
{
"mcpServers": {
"layerling": {
"command": "node",
"args": ["/Users/mariushosting/layerling/scripts/layerling-mcp-server.mjs"],
"env": {
"LAYERLING_URL": "http://192.168.0.18:3665",
"LAYERLING_MCP_TOKEN": "EvuEEpExtkPtbaLBamjBsXyKZCtzHSjBWFLCNkFtfKxhbFOevPNeoqqxQvgbhfAF"
}
}
}
}
Save the file and restart Claude Desktop.
Claude Code: run this once instead:
claude mcp add layerling \
-e LAYERLING_URL=http://192.168.1.18:3665 \
-e LAYERLING_MCP_TOKEN=EvuEEpExtkPtbaLBamjBsXyKZCtzHSjBWFLCNkFtfKxhbFOevPNeoqqxQvgbhfAF \
-- node /Users/mariushosting/layerling/scripts/layerling-mcp-server.mjs
Note: On Windows use a path like C:\\Users\\mariushosting\\layerling\\scripts\\layerling-mcp-server.mjs in the JSON, with double backslashes.
Note: in the LAYERLING URL= area, type in your own LOCAL NAS IP with http:// at the beginning and :3665 at the end.
Note: in the LAYERLING_MCP_TOKEN= area, type in your own LAYERLING_MCP_TOKEN that you have previously added at STEP 9.
STEP D
Ask Claude:
Use the layerling MCP tools to list my open editors and inspect the scene.
If it lists your NAS editor tab, the bridge works. Then describe a part with real dimensions, for example a round box 60 mm across, 40 mm high, 2.5 mm wall, open at the top. Watch it build it in the open tab.
Enjoy Layerling on your UGREEN NAS!
đTROUBLESHOOTING
đNote/Update/Container: How to Update Your Docker Containers on UGREEN NAS Using Dockhand.
đłNote: How to Create Docker Shortcuts on Desktop.
đNote: How to Update Dockhand to the latest version.
đNote: How to Clean Docker with Dockhand.
This post was updated on Thursday / October 22nd, 2026 at 1:12 AM