If you have spent any time in Revit forums, you have probably heard someone say "just do it with pyRevit." For years this free, open-source toolkit has been the go-to way to add handy buttons and Python automation to Revit. Last week's article covered a paid batch-export add-in; today we look at the opposite end of the market. On 6 October 2026, the pyRevit team released version 7.0.0, and the maintainers themselves call it "a bold one." The headline feature: AI coding agents can now work inside a live Revit model, with you approving every change. Here is what's new, how to install it, and whether it deserves a place on your ribbon.
What is pyRevit?
pyRevit describes itself as a rapid application development environment for Autodesk Revit. In plain terms, it does two jobs. First, it adds a pyRevit tab to Revit packed with ready-made productivity tools. Second, it gives you a framework to write your own buttons in Python (IronPython or CPython), with C# and VB.Net also supported, so you can turn repetitive tasks into one-click tools. It also ships with a command-line utility (the pyRevit CLI) for managing installs and extensions. The project is published on GitHub under the GPL-3.0 licence and costs nothing to use.
What's new in pyRevit 7.0
1. An agent runtime for AI tools
pyRevit 7 adds an MCP (Model Context Protocol) server inside the pyRevit CLI. Supported coding agents, currently listed as Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, VS Code and OpenCode, can connect to a running Revit session and write Python against the real Revit API rather than calling a small set of fixed commands. Safety is built in: the feature is off by default, and there are three policies (read-only, ask, and auto). In "ask" mode, the affected elements are selected and isolated in Revit, and you click Keep to commit the change as a single undo step or Discard to roll it back. The developers say the feature is still evolving and has mainly been tested on simple architectural tasks, so treat it as an exciting preview rather than a finished product.
2. A Python shell right on the ribbon
There is now an interactive IronPython shell you can run modal, modeless or docked beside your model, with a syntax-highlighted editor. For anyone learning the Revit API, this is a great sandbox for testing snippets without building a full button.
3. Speed and polish
The team reports reload times falling from 23.1 to 3.2 seconds in their test with seven extensions, because extensions now share one Python engine instead of starting a new one each time. The output window moves to Microsoft's WebView2, and dark mode arrives across the interface. Recent 6.5.x releases also added tools such as a Filter Legend tool, a Custom Properties pane and Revit 2027 compatibility updates.
How to install and start using it
- Check your Revit version. pyRevit 7 drops support for Revit 2021 and earlier.
- Download the installer from the official pyRevit GitHub releases page. There is a main installer and a CLI installer.
- Close Revit and run the installer. If you are upgrading, note that the CLI installer deliberately detaches existing attachments so it starts clean.
- Launch Revit. When Revit asks about the signed PyRevitLoader add-in, choose "Always Load". You should see a new pyRevit tab.
- If the tab is missing, forum users fixed it by re-attaching through the CLI (for example,
pyrevit attach master default 2026, changing the year to your Revit version). - Optional, for AI agents: register your client with
pyrevit mcp install <client>and enable it withpyrevit configs agent enable. Start in read-only or ask mode.
Tip: In a company setting, test the upgrade on one machine first and agree with your BIM manager before enabling the agent feature on live projects.
Pros, cons and who it's for
Pros: free under GPL-3.0; a large set of ready-made tools; a proper framework for writing your own; big speed gains in 7.0; a careful approval workflow for AI-driven edits; an active forum where the maintainers answer questions.
Cons: version 7.0 includes breaking changes, so read the release notes; some upgraders had to re-attach pyRevit manually; the MCP agent feature is new and still evolving; Revit 2021 and older are no longer supported; support comes from the community rather than a paid helpdesk.
Who it's for: BIM coordinators and managers who want a free productivity boost, Revit users curious about Python automation, and tech-minded teams who want to experiment with AI agents on test models under tight control. If you need guaranteed vendor support, pair it with a commercial add-in rather than relying on it alone.
Verdict
pyRevit has long been the best free add-in for Revit users who like to tinker, and version 7.0 makes it faster, better looking and more forward-thinking. The agent runtime is the most interesting idea we have seen in a Revit add-in this year, and the Keep/Discard approval step shows a sensible respect for your model. We knock off half a point for upgrade bumps and an AI feature that is still early. Rating: 4.5 out of 5. Install it on a test machine this week, try the Python shell, and leave the agent feature in read-only mode until you are comfortable.