carbon

Overview of carbon

What it is

Carbon is an open-source manufacturing ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning), MES (Manufacturing Execution System), and QMS (Quality Management System) combined into a single system. It uses one Postgres database for quoting, MRP (Material Requirements Planning), inventory, shop floor control, quality management, and lot/serial traceability. It provides a REST API and an MCP server. Users can self-host or use the managed Carbon Cloud service. Carbon is described as an open-source alternative to systems like NetSuite, Epicor, SAP Business One, Plex, Odoo, and ERPNext, intended for complex assembly, contract manufacturing, configure-to-order, and high-mix, low-volume production.

Key features

• ERP functions including quotes, orders, purchasing, inventory, invoicing, and actual job costs.
• MRP for demand and supply planning with versioned BOMs and routings, and finite-capacity scheduling.
• MES capabilities with digital travelers, operator terminals, barcode and labor capture.
• QMS covering inspections, FAI, nonconformance, CAPA, calibration, and risk management.
• Forward and backward lot and serial traceability.
• Engineering features like multi-level BOMs, revisions, change orders, and product configuration.
• Accounting with general ledger, journals, multi-entity, multi-currency, and integrations.
• Rule-based workflow automation with triggers and actions.
• Custom fields without changing the core schema.
• API, webhooks, and a permission-aware MCP server.
• Integrations with Onshape, SolidWorks, Paperless Parts, Linear, Jira, Slack, Ramp, Stripe, and Zebra.

Use cases

Carbon is designed for manufacturing teams that need to unify planning, production, quality, and accounting in one system. It supports complex assembly operations, contract manufacturing, configure-to-order scenarios, and high-mix, low-volume production environments. It can be used as the core of a bespoke end-to-end manufacturing system.

Getting started

For a self-hosted deployment, see the self-hosting guide in the repository. For local development, clone the monorepo and follow the local development instructions. The repository provides a starter app in apps/starter.

License and pricing

The license is not stated in the provided metadata (NOASSERTION). The project is listed as open-source. API keys and MCP are included with Business and Enterprise plans; using them in a self-hosted deployment requires a commercial license.

Based on the project's public README and repository metadata.