On the basis of the practical situation of cold forging process planning, the disadvantages of a rule-based solution are discussed, and a case-based reasoning-based cold forging process planning (CFPP) system model is proposed. Several key problems involved are analyzed, among which a feature-based part representation scheme and a two-level retrieval mechanism are introduced to solve the problems of case representation and case retrieval. It is established in this paper that case-based reasoning-based CFPP is a promising technology for both long-term research and the promotion of efficiency for current cold process planning systems. 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.