Summary
Connects to a running KiCad 9.0+ instance via its IPC API to programmatically inspect and query PCB designs. You get tools for reading board info, listing footprints and nets, checking design settings, and querying zones, tracks, vias, and pads. Requires enabling the API server in KiCad's plugin preferences first, then the MCP server talks to it over IPC. Useful when you want to automate PCB analysis, extract component data, or build tooling around existing KiCad projects without manually exporting files. Read-only operations focused on inspection rather than modification.
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mcp-kicad — MCP server exposing KiCad PCB Editor functionality via IPC API.
Install
pip install mcp-kicad
Requirements
- KiCad 9.0 or higher with the IPC API server enabled
- Go to Preferences > Plugins in KiCad and enable the API server
Usage
The MCP server communicates with a running KiCad instance via the IPC API. Start KiCad first, then run the server:
mcp-kicad
Or configure it in your MCP client:
{
"mcpServers": {
"mcp-kicad": {
"command": "mcp-kicad",
"env": {}
}
}
}
Tools
The server exposes the following tools:
- Connection:
connect_kicad,check_connection - Board:
get_board_info,get_layers,get_board_design_settings - Footprints:
list_footprints,get_footprint,search_footprints - Nets:
list_nets,get_net,list_netclasses - Zones:
list_zones - Tracks/Vias:
list_tracks,list_vias - Pads:
list_pads - Text:
list_texts,get_text_extents - Project:
get_project,get_version
Example
from mcp_kicad import mcp_server
# Connect to running KiCad
result = mcp_server.connect_kicad()
# Get board info
board_info = mcp_server.get_board_info()
print(board_info)
# List all footprints
footprints = mcp_server.list_footprints()
for fp in footprints:
print(f"{fp['reference']}: {fp['value']}")
Development
git clone https://github.com/daedalus/mcp-kicad.git
cd mcp-kicad
pip install -e ".[test]"
# run tests
pytest
# format
ruff format src/ tests/
# lint
ruff check src/ tests/
# type check
mypy src/
mcp-name: io.github.daedalus/mcp-kicad
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Keep your Mac awake while Claude Code and 40+ AI agents run. Sleeps when they're idle.
One time payment $9 →Integrate web data into your AI product. One API to scrape website & brand data.
Get API Key Now →Agent, run crypto. Access onchain data & trade routes via 1inch.
Install now →On Capafy, your Skill runs online 24/7 as an agent product, and you get paid every time someone uses it.
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