Modex - Modelica, Diagrams & Documents with AI

Visual Modelica editing, local simulation, engineering plots and documents, with optional AI assistance in VS Code.

Modex keeps the diagram, icon and text views of a Modelica model together in one editor. Build models visually, edit their source directly, run them with a simulation engine you configure, inspect the results, and turn those results into figures and engineering documents.

AI is optional. The editors, libraries, simulation workflow and result tools do not require an AI provider.

Quick Start

1. Install Modex from the Visual Studio Marketplace.
2. Open a folder containing Modelica files, or create a model with Modex: New Model.
3. Open a .mo file and switch among Diagram, Icon and Text from the editor toolbar.
4. Open the Modex view in the Activity Bar to browse models, libraries, results, figures and documents.
5. When needed, open Modex: Settings… to configure simulation engines, libraries, AI providers and analysis tools.

What You Can Do

Model visually and as text

• Edit .mo diagrams with drag-and-drop components, routed connections and graphical annotations.
• Edit icons and Modelica source without leaving the model editor.
• Keep graphical and text views synchronized, including unsaved changes.
• Browse workspace models, class elements and installed libraries from the Modex sidebar.

Simulate and inspect results

• Configure a run, choose an available engine, and keep results organized by model.
• Plot signals in interactive figures or inspect their values directly.
• Play supported result-driven graphics on the model diagram.
• Open supported 3D animation results and use the Modelica debugger with OpenModelica.

Work with an AI agent

• Ask a supported local agent or provider to create, edit, check and simulate Modelica models.
• Give the agent the active model, selection, diagram, figure or document as context.
• Review permission prompts and detected file changes from the Agent sidebar.
• Use Python analysis tools when you configure a compatible local interpreter.

Create engineering artifacts

• Open, create and edit .drawio files directly in Modex, including offline without an account.
• Build reusable figures from one or more simulation runs.
• Write rich engineering documents and place linked plots or analysis figures in them.
• Export documents for sharing outside VS Code.

Supported Files

• .mo — Modelica diagram, icon and text editing
• .drawio — general diagram editing
• .mxfig — Modex figures; legacy .mxplot.json files still open
• .mxdoc — Modex documents; legacy .mxdoc.json files still open

Requirements

• VS Code 1.106.0 or later
• A simulation engine, only if you want to simulate:
  • OpenModelica for OpenModelica simulation and debugging
  • An existing, separately licensed Dymola installation for the optional beta Dymola simulation path; Dymola is not included with Modex
• An AI runtime or provider, only if you want AI assistance: Claude Code and Codex can be detected when installed; GitHub Copilot, supported API providers and local OpenAI-compatible endpoints are also available
• A compatible Python interpreter, only for Agent analysis tools: configure it from Modex: Settings… → Python

Model editing, diagrams, figures and documents work without a simulation engine or AI provider.

Configure Simulation

Open Modex: Settings… → Engines to choose which simulation engines are available. Engine-specific setup appears alongside the selected engine, while the OpenModelica compiler used for validation and debugging is configured under OpenModelica Toolchain.

OpenModelica

Install OpenModelica with its official installer, then verify that the compiler is available:

omc --version

If that command works in the environment that launched VS Code, Modex normally detects it. Otherwise, open Modex: Settings… → OpenModelica Toolchain and select the omc executable. Reload the VS Code window after changing the executable or its environment.

For WSL, Remote SSH or a development container, install and configure omc in the environment running the VS Code extension host, not only on the client machine.

Dymola

Dymola support is an optional beta feature for an installation supplied and licensed separately by the user or their organization. Configure it from Modex: Settings… → Engines. Modex does not distribute or license Dymola.

Configure AI and Analysis

Open Modex: Open Agent Settings to choose a model source and review the available Agent tools. AI requests use the runtime or provider you select; core Modex editing and simulation remain available when AI is not configured.

Modex can also connect to supported external AI tools through MCP after you consent. Use Modex: Copy MCP Config Snippet for manual setup. To remove Modex registrations, use Disconnect all in Agent Tools settings or run Modex: Unregister MCP from AI Tools before uninstalling the extension.

Python analysis is disabled until an interpreter is selected under Modex: Settings… → Python. Analysis code runs locally with your user permissions, so approve it only when you trust the requested code and inputs.

Settings and Commands

Use Modex: Settings… for the settings most users need: models, Agent tools, libraries, simulation, engines, the OpenModelica toolchain and Python. Advanced options remain available in VS Code Settings by searching for Modex.

Useful Command Palette entries include:

• Modex: New Model
• Modex: Settings…
• Modex: Simulate and Modex: Cancel Simulation
• Modex: New Figure and Modex: New Document
• Modex: New draw.io Diagram
• Modex: Open Agent Settings
• Modex: Copy MCP Config Snippet and Modex: Unregister MCP from AI Tools

Privacy

Modex stores project files and local tool output on your machine. AI requests go to the runtime or provider you choose, and product telemetry does not include project content, prompts or replies.

Limited usage telemetry is enabled by default and follows VS Code's telemetry setting. Turn it off with modex.telemetry.enabled or VS Code's telemetry.telemetryLevel.

See the PRIVACY.md bundled with the extension, or the Modex privacy policy, for details about telemetry, external services and local tools.

Known Limitations

• Modex is a Preview release; some features may be incomplete or change before the stable release.
• The general diagram editor currently supports .drawio, not .dio, .drawio.svg or .drawio.png.
• If another extension also handles .drawio, VS Code lets you choose an editor; use Reopen With… to change that choice later.
• Large Modelica models may take longer to render the first time.

Feedback and Support

• Report bugs or request features
• Join the Modex community on Discord
• Visit modexai.io
• Email support@modexai.io

License and Third-Party Software

Modex is proprietary software. See the LICENSE file included with the extension for its terms.

Modex is independently developed. Third-party product names are used only to identify compatible formats, tools or services and do not imply endorsement. See the bundled NOTICE.md and THIRD_PARTY_NOTICES.md for trademark and third-party license notices.