KiCad MCP

At a glance

This server drives KiCad's Python API so an assistant can work on a PCB: create a project, set the board outline, place and move footprints, add tracks and vias, and run design-rule checks.

It runs from a clone of the GitHub repository rather than a published package, and it needs the Python that ships with KiCad.

Made by

mixelpixx and community contributors

GitHub stars

3K

Last commit

26 Oct 2026

Tools

244

Runs on

Your computer

Our check: We ran this exact config on 26 Oct 2026: it started and answered with 244 tools. The npm package called "kicad-mcp" comes from a different repository (iengphogit/kicad-mcp). This project runs from its own source.

What's in the pod: its tools

KiCad MCP groups its tools like this, and which ones load depends on how you set it up.

Schematic

Place symbols from about 10,000 in the libraries, wire them up, label nets, build hierarchical sheets and check connections.

Board and components

Set the board outline and layers, place and move footprints, and lay out zones.

Routing

Draw tracks and vias by hand, or hand the board to the Freerouting autorouter.

Design rules and checks

Set clearances and run DRC so problems surface before you order.

Export

Gerbers, drill files, bill of materials, pick and place, PDFs, SVGs and 3D models for manufacture.

Parts

Search JLCPCB's catalogue of over 2.5 million parts with price and stock, and pull datasheets from LCSC.

Library creation

Make custom footprints and symbols when a part is missing.

Discovery

search_tools and the toolbox commands let the agent find and open tool groups as it needs them.

We found 244 tools when we started it on 26 Oct 2026. 70 only read. The rest can change things, so keep your app's "ask before each tool call" setting on for them.

How we tested it: Cloned and built from GitHub (v2.8.3) and started with the Python from KiCad 7 on Linux. The project asks for KiCad 9.

Grouped and described by us. The README on GitHub lists the inputs each tool takes.

Set it up

1. git clone https://github.com/mixelpixx/KiCAD-MCP-Server and cd into it.
2. npm install, then npm run build.
3. Point your client at the built entry point, as in the config below, with your own path.

Pick your app for the exact snippet and where it goes.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "kicad": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": [
        "/path/to/KiCAD-MCP-Server/dist/index.js"
      ]
    }
  }
}

claude mcp add-json kicad '{"command":"node","args":["/path/to/KiCAD-MCP-Server/dist/index.js"]}'

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "kicad": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": [
        "/path/to/KiCAD-MCP-Server/dist/index.js"
      ]
    }
  }
}

{
  "servers": {
    "kicad": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "node",
      "args": [
        "/path/to/KiCAD-MCP-Server/dist/index.js"
      ]
    }
  }
}

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "kicad": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": [
        "/path/to/KiCAD-MCP-Server/dist/index.js"
      ]
    }
  }
}

New to this? See the setup guides for Claude Code, Cursor, Claude Desktop and ChatGPT.

Settings

Names are exactly as the project spells them. Required ones are marked.

What it can touch

Safer setup: Keep the project in git and commit before each session, so a bad edit is one checkout away from undone.

Before you start

• KiCad 9 with its bundled Python
• Node.js 18 or newer
• git

If it does not work

No module named 'pcbnew'

PYTHONPATH does not point at KiCad's Python folder. Check KiCad 9 or later is installed with Python support and copy the path for your platform.

The server does not show up in the client

It runs from a cloned and built copy. Check dist/index.js exists, use absolute paths in the config, and restart the client fully.

Too many tools for the client

Set KICAD_MCP_TOOLBOXES=core. Claude Desktop only reads the tool list at start-up, so name any groups you need there.

Board tools fail with vague errors

Open a project first and use absolute paths. Logs are in ~/.kicad-mcp/logs.

Peas in a pod: similar servers

How KiCad MCP lines up against other design, 3d and games servers on the shelf.

Questions

Something wrong on this page? Tell us.