Automate PDM work with commands, scripts, and add-in workflows.
PDMShell is a command-line and automation platform for SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional. Use it for one-off commands, repeatable .pdmshell scripts, visual workflows, and administrator-controlled add-in automation directly inside PDM.
Start with the right path
Use these articles to install PDMShell, choose the correct license model, and decide how your team will run automation.
Introduction
Learn what PDMShell does and how it fits command-line, script, visual, and add-in workflows.
Standalone installation
Download PDMShell, install the desktop app, update safely, and avoid common update issues.
Add-in installation
Install the SOLIDWORKS PDM add-in, including Microsoft-hosted downloads for restricted environments.
Licensing
Choose online activation, offline activation, a machine license, or a vault license pool.
Free vs Premium
Compare limits, Premium features, single licenses, pool licenses, and pricing.
Build Scripts
Save repeatable .pdmshell scripts and run them from PDMShell, pdmcli.exe, or integrations.
PDMShell Add-In
Run scripts from PDM right-click menus and trigger points with permissions and conditions.
Choose the workflow that fits the job
PDMShell can be used as an interactive command shell, a script runner, an add-in automation layer, or a visual workflow editor.
Command Reference
Browse commands for vault navigation, file operations, variables, automation, search, and migration.
Visual Code Editor
Build, validate, and reuse PDMShell workflows visually.
Placeholders
Use file, folder, variable, date, global, and string function placeholders in scripts.
Expression Evaluator
Test placeholders, PDM variables, and string functions before running automation.
Conditions
Use the same condition syntax in IF statements, waiting, and add-in rules.
Advanced Search
Find PDM files with tokens, variables, favorites, result shaping, and recursive filters.
FAQ
Find answers about licensing, installation, the add-in, reseller use, and support.
Built for PDM administrators and migration work
Use PDMShell to automate repetitive vault work, reduce manual clicks, and standardize batch operations across teams.
- Check in, check out, rename, move, copy, delete, and recover files.
- Run SOLIDWORKS macros and PDM tasks against search results.
- Read and write variables, revisions, references, BOMs, and file history.
- Use the add-in to expose approved scripts inside SOLIDWORKS PDM.
- Build reusable script templates for users and administrators.
- Run automation from scripts, command menus, transitions, or scheduled jobs.
Need help planning automation?
Blue Byte Systems can help design PDMShell scripts, add-in workflows, migration utilities, and vault automation for your SOLIDWORKS PDM environment.
Legacy PDMShell overview
Watch the December 2025 overview for a quick look at the command-line workflow that started the product. Some screens may look different from the current version.