EDA Tools
A comprehensive Model Context Protocol server that connects AI assistants to Electronic Design Automation tools, enabling Verilog synthesis, simulation, ASIC design flows, and waveform analysis through natural language interaction.
What is EDA Tools?
EDA Tools is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that allows AI assistants like Claude, Cursor, and VS Code to comprehensive model context protocol server that connects ai assistants to electronic design automation tools, enabling verilog synthesis, simulation, asic design flows, and waveform analysis through ...
A comprehensive Model Context Protocol server that connects AI assistants to Electronic Design Automation tools, enabling Verilog synthesis, simulation, ASIC design flows, and waveform analysis through natural language interaction.
This server falls under the Developer Tools category on MCPgee, the world's largest MCP server directory with 33,000+ servers.
Features
- A comprehensive Model Context Protocol server that connects
Use Cases
Maintainer
Works with
Installation
Manual Installation
npx eda-tools-mcp-serverConfiguration
Configuration Details
claude_desktop_config.json
Performance
Response Metrics
Resource Usage
How to Set Up and Use EDA Tools
EDA Tools MCP Server connects AI assistants to a suite of Electronic Design Automation tools — including Yosys for synthesis, Icarus Verilog for simulation, GTKWave for waveform viewing, OpenLane for RTL-to-GDSII ASIC flows, and KLayout for layout inspection — through the Model Context Protocol. Hardware engineers can describe synthesis targets, run simulations with testbenches, inspect waveform files, and execute complete ASIC design flows using natural language without manually invoking CLI tools. It is built as a Node.js/TypeScript MCP server that delegates to locally installed EDA tools via subprocesses.
Prerequisites
- Node.js 18 or higher with npm installed
- Yosys installed (brew install yosys on macOS, apt-get install yosys on Ubuntu)
- Icarus Verilog installed (brew install icarus-verilog on macOS, apt-get install iverilog on Ubuntu)
- Optional: GTKWave for waveform viewing, OpenLane via pip, KLayout, and Docker Desktop for full ASIC flows
- An MCP client such as Claude Desktop or Cursor IDE
Clone the repository
Download the MCP4EDA server source code from GitHub.
git clone https://github.com/NellyW8/MCP4EDA.git
cd MCP4EDAInstall Node.js dependencies and build
Install npm packages and compile the TypeScript source to the build directory.
npm install
npm run buildInstall required EDA tools
Install the EDA tools that the server will call. At minimum, Yosys and Icarus Verilog are needed for synthesis and simulation. Install optional tools for full ASIC flows.
# macOS
brew install yosys icarus-verilog
brew install --cask gtkwave klayout
# Ubuntu/Debian
sudo apt-get install yosys iverilog gtkwave klayout
# OpenLane (all platforms)
pip install openlaneConfigure your MCP client
Add the EDA server to your claude_desktop_config.json using the absolute path to the compiled index.js. Include the PATH environment variable so the server can find the EDA tool binaries.
{
"mcpServers": {
"eda-mcp": {
"command": "node",
"args": ["/absolute/path/to/MCP4EDA/build/index.js"],
"env": {
"PATH": "/usr/local/bin:/opt/homebrew/bin:/usr/bin:/bin",
"HOME": "/your/home/directory"
}
}
}
}Restart your MCP client
Restart Claude Desktop so it registers the EDA server. Verify by asking your AI client to list available EDA tools.
EDA Tools Examples
Client configuration
claude_desktop_config.json entry for EDA Tools MCP server. Replace paths with the absolute path to your MCP4EDA build output and your home directory.
{
"mcpServers": {
"eda-mcp": {
"command": "node",
"args": ["/Users/yourname/MCP4EDA/build/index.js"],
"env": {
"PATH": "/usr/local/bin:/opt/homebrew/bin:/usr/bin:/bin",
"HOME": "/Users/yourname"
}
}
}
}Prompts to try
Example prompts for Verilog synthesis, simulation, waveform analysis, and ASIC design flows using the EDA Tools MCP server.
- "Synthesize this 4-bit counter module for an iCE40 FPGA using Yosys and report the resource usage"
- "Simulate this Verilog testbench using Icarus Verilog and show me the output"
- "Run an RTL-to-GDSII flow for this module using OpenLane and Docker"
- "Open the waveform file simulation.vcd in GTKWave and describe the signal transitions"
- "Analyze the OpenLane PPA report and tell me the critical path delay and total cell area"Troubleshooting EDA Tools
Synthesis or simulation fails with 'command not found' for yosys or iverilog
The MCP server inherits a limited PATH from Claude Desktop. Add the bin directories where your EDA tools are installed to the PATH in your MCP config's env block. On macOS with Homebrew this is typically '/opt/homebrew/bin'. Run 'which yosys' in a terminal to find the correct path.
npm run build fails with TypeScript errors
Ensure you have Node.js 18+ installed. Run 'npx tsc --version' to verify TypeScript is available. If the build still fails, try deleting the node_modules directory and running 'npm install' again before building.
OpenLane ASIC flow fails with Docker errors
OpenLane requires Docker Desktop to be running. Start Docker Desktop before invoking any ASIC flow tools. Confirm Docker is running with 'docker ps'. On Linux, ensure your user is in the docker group: 'sudo usermod -aG docker $USER'.
Frequently Asked Questions about EDA Tools
What is EDA Tools?
EDA Tools is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that comprehensive model context protocol server that connects ai assistants to electronic design automation tools, enabling verilog synthesis, simulation, asic design flows, and waveform analysis through natural language interaction. It connects AI assistants to external tools and data sources through a standardized interface.
How do I install EDA Tools?
Follow the installation instructions on the EDA Tools GitHub repository. Clone the repo, install dependencies, and add the server config to your AI client.
Which AI clients work with EDA Tools?
EDA Tools works with all major MCP-compatible AI clients including Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code (GitHub Copilot), Windsurf, and Cline.
Is EDA Tools free to use?
Yes, EDA Tools is open source and available under the MIT license. You can use it freely in both personal and commercial projects.
EDA Tools Alternatives — Similar Developer Tools Servers
Looking for alternatives to EDA Tools? Here are other popular developer tools servers you can use with Claude, Cursor, and VS Code.
Ecc
★ 188.2kThe agent harness performance optimization system. Skills, instincts, memory, security, and research-first development for Claude Code, Codex, Opencode, Cursor and beyond.
Javaguide
★ 155.8kJava 面试 & 后端通用面试指南，覆盖计算机基础、数据库、分布式、高并发、系统设计与 AI 应用开发
Gemini CLI
★ 104.5kA secure MCP server that wraps the Google Gemini CLI, allowing clients to query Gemini models using local OAuth sessions without requiring an API key. It provides tools for model interaction and diagnostics with built-in protection against command in
Awesome MCP Servers
★ 87.3k⭐ Curated list of Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers - tools that extend Claude Desktop, Cursor, Windsurf, and other MCP clients with custom capabilities.
MCP Servers
★ 86.0kModel Context Protocol Servers
CC Switch
★ 77.5kA cross-platform desktop All-in-One assistant for Claude Code, Codex, OpenCode, OpenClaw, Gemini CLI & Hermes Agent. Only official website: ccswitch.io
Browse More Developer Tools MCP Servers
Explore all developer tools servers available in the MCPgee directory. Each server includes setup guides for Claude, Cursor, and VS Code.
Set Up EDA Tools in Your Editor
Choose your AI client for step-by-step setup instructions.
Quick Config Preview
Add this to your claude_desktop_config.json or .cursor/mcp.json
Ready to use EDA Tools?
Browse our complete directory of 33,000+ MCP servers, read setup guides for your editor, and start building with the Model Context Protocol.