In this study, biomimetic (CF x) n/CaF₂/C–ZrO₂/TiO₂ soft–hard composite coatings were constructed on the rake face of YT15 tools via electro-jet micro-printing. The surface microstructure, adhesion strength, and dry turning performance in machining 304 stainless steel were investigated. Results showed that electro-jet printing enabled the in-situ construction of high-quality, precisely textured coatings. And the bionic textured coated tools had low cutting forces and wear. Compared with the non-textured coated tool (LT), the sharkskin-inspired textured coated tool (ST) increased the lubrication failure load by 38.3 %, with the tangential cutting force (Fc) reduced by about 10.54 % and 6.76 % at 50 and 100 m/min, respectively. At 150–200 m/min, the pangolin-scale-like textured tool (PT) showed the best cutting performance, reducing Fc by approximately 15.22 % and 8.52 %, and tool tip temperature by about 11.24 % and 6.2 %, compared to the uncoated tool (UT) and the LT, respectively. Mechanistic analysis revealed that the soft-phase materials underwent chemical transformations during cutting, while the textured hard coating mechanically locked the soft phase in place, significantly reducing the actual contact area.