[robodan]

CadQuery is usually used within FreeCAD. Most of what you describe is there because the part just shows up in the CAD workspace like any other part.

The only difference is that you make changes by changing code instead of doing it graphically. In a perfect world, you'd be able to do it either way; but current technology doesn't know how to relate final characteristics back to the line(s) of code that set them.

As parts and their relationship to the whole become more intricate, the programming approach makes more sense.