Carbon nanotube (CNT), particularly single-walled CNT, possesses exceptional properties, and can be utilized in many high-end applications including high-performance electronics. However, the atomic arrangement of a CNT determines its band structure, making the atomic-precision fabrication one of most important topics for the development of this material. In this perspective, the author gives a personal summary on the history, current status of the atomic-precision fabrication of CNT and outlines the remaining challenges as well as the possible paths that may lead the production of atomically precise CNTs from ‘fabrication’ to ‘manufacturing’.