Freedom251 › 3D Printing Software
Mainsail
What Mainsail is
Mainsail is a web interface for managing and controlling 3D printers powered by Klipper firmware. It works with Moonraker, which provides the API, and Klipper, which controls the printer; both are required for Mainsail to operate. A single interface can manage multiple printers and show live temperatures, print progress, and printer state.
In a browser, users can upload, organize, and edit G-Code and configuration files, run configurable macros with prompts and parameters, and view print history and statistics. Bed Mesh and G-Code Viewer tools support print diagnostics; temperature presets and object exclusion during a print are also available. Dashboard cards and navigation can be rearranged, while themes can use custom logos, backgrounds, and CSS. Mainsail supports webcam monitoring, timelapses, relays, and supported smart power devices. Documented slicer integrations include Cura, IdeaMaker, OrcaSlicer, and PrusaSlicer. Setup options include MainsailOS, KIAUH, and manual installation. MainsailOS is a prebuilt image for supported single-board computers that includes Mainsail, Moonraker, Klipper, Crowsnest, Sonar, and a timelapse plugin.
Who it suits
Mainsail suits people who use Klipper-powered 3D printers and want browser-based control and monitoring, including management of multiple printers. It is also a fit for users who want printer files, macros, diagnostics, and slicer workflows in one interface.
What it does well
- One interface can manage and monitor multiple printers.
- Shows live temperatures, progress, and printer state.
- Includes Bed Mesh and G-Code visualization tools.
- Supports configurable macros and browser-based file editing.
- Documents integrations for Cura, IdeaMaker, OrcaSlicer, and PrusaSlicer.
What to know first
- Requires Klipper firmware and Moonraker to operate.
- The hosted demo requires Klipper and Moonraker already installed to connect to a printer.
- Community support response times may vary.
Limits
Mainsail is free and open source, but it requires Klipper firmware and Moonraker to operate. The hosted demo is intended for testing and exploration, and connecting it to a printer requires Klipper and Moonraker to already be installed.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Mainsail | Open-source project; requires Klipper and Moonraker to operate | Free |
As docs.mainsail.xyz lists them, read 9 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit https://docs.mainsail.xyz/.
- Set up Klipper firmware and Moonraker for the printer.
- Install using MainsailOS, KIAUH, or the manual installation instructions.
- Alternatively, explore the hosted demo; connecting to a printer requires Klipper and Moonraker to be installed.
Verdict
Choose Mainsail if you run Klipper and Moonraker and want a free, open-source browser interface for printer control, monitoring, and print tools. It is not suitable as a standalone printer controller because it requires both Klipper firmware and Moonraker.
Questions
Is Mainsail free?
Yes. The Mainsail plan is free and is an open-source project.
What does Mainsail require?
It requires Klipper firmware and Moonraker. Moonraker provides the API, and Klipper controls the printer.
Which slicers does it support?
Documented integrations include Cura, IdeaMaker, OrcaSlicer, and PrusaSlicer.
Can Mainsail manage more than one printer?
Yes. One Mainsail interface can control and monitor multiple printers.
How can I install it?
Options include MainsailOS, KIAUH, and manual installation. MainsailOS is a prebuilt image for supported single-board computers.
Where can users get support?
Discord is the primary community support channel, with GitHub Discussions as an alternative. The volunteer crew notes that response times may vary depending on the user's time zone.
Facts from Mainsail's own pages
- Architecture
- Mainsail is a front-end that works with Moonraker, which provides the API, and Klipper, which controls the printer. · docs.mainsail.xyz, 8 Oct 2026
- Cameras and power
- Mainsail supports webcam monitoring, timelapses, and control of relays and supported smart power devices. · docs.mainsail.xyz, 8 Oct 2026
- Customization
- Users can rearrange dashboard cards and navigation, and customize themes with logos, backgrounds, and custom CSS. · docs.mainsail.xyz, 9 Oct 2026
- Deployment options
- Installation options include MainsailOS, KIAUH, manual installation, and a hosted demo intended for testing and exploration. · docs.mainsail.xyz, 9 Oct 2026
- Files and macros
- Users can manage G-code and configuration files in the browser and organize and run macros with prompts and parameters. · docs.mainsail.xyz, 9 Oct 2026
- Hosted demo limit
- The hosted demo is intended for testing and exploration and requires Klipper and Moonraker to already be installed to connect to a printer. · docs.mainsail.xyz, 8 Oct 2026
- Installation
- The recommended setup is MainsailOS, a prebuilt image that includes Mainsail, Moonraker, Klipper, and dependencies; KIAUH and manual installation are also documented. · docs.mainsail.xyz, 8 Oct 2026
- Installation requirements
- Mainsail is the frontend and requires Klipper firmware and Moonraker, which acts as its API server, to work. · docs.mainsail.xyz, 9 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Mainsail supports slicer workflows and documents Cura, IdeaMaker, OrcaSlicer, and PrusaSlicer integrations. · docs.mainsail.xyz, 9 Oct 2026
- Live controls
- The Moonraker-based interface provides real-time printer control and monitoring of temperatures, progress, and printer state. · docs.mainsail.xyz, 9 Oct 2026
- MainsailOS
- MainsailOS is a prebuilt image for supported single-board computers that includes Mainsail, Moonraker, Klipper, Crowsnest, Sonar, and a timelapse plugin. · docs.mainsail.xyz, 9 Oct 2026
- Maintainers
- Mainsail describes itself as an open-source project maintained by meteyou and a community. · docs.mainsail.xyz, 8 Oct 2026
- Multiple printers
- One Mainsail interface can control and monitor multiple printers. · docs.mainsail.xyz, 9 Oct 2026
- Printer management
- The interface can manage multiple printers and show live temperatures, print progress, and printer state. · docs.mainsail.xyz, 8 Oct 2026
- Print tools
- Features include print history and statistics, bed mesh and G-code visualization, temperature presets, and object exclusion during a print. · docs.mainsail.xyz, 9 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- The documentation says Mainsail runs locally in the browser, communicates directly with the printer through Moonraker, and does not use telemetry or transfer data externally. · docs.mainsail.xyz, 9 Oct 2026
- Product
- Mainsail is a web interface for managing and controlling 3D printers powered by Klipper firmware. · docs.mainsail.xyz, 8 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Mainsail is a web interface for managing and controlling 3D printers powered by Klipper firmware. · docs.mainsail.xyz, 9 Oct 2026
- Slicer integrations
- The documented supported slicers are Cura, IdeaMaker, OrcaSlicer, and PrusaSlicer; configuration enables direct G-Code uploads and other features. · docs.mainsail.xyz, 8 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project lists Discord as its primary community support channel, GitHub Discussions as an alternative, and Reddit as community-driven help that is not officially supported. · docs.mainsail.xyz, 9 Oct 2026
- Support limits
- The Mainsail-Crew says its members work voluntarily in their free time and responses may take longer depending on the user’s time zone. · docs.mainsail.xyz, 9 Oct 2026
- Visualization
- Mainsail includes Bed Mesh and G-Code Viewer tools for print diagnostics. · docs.mainsail.xyz, 8 Oct 2026
Where Mainsail stands on Freedom251
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