KiCad
๐ MCP server for KiCad EDA - Analyze schematics & PCBs, trace pin-level connections, automate design editing. Works with any MCP-compatible AI tool
What is KiCad?
KiCad is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that allows AI assistants like Claude, Cursor, and VS Code to ๐ mcp server for kicad eda - analyze schematics & pcbs, trace pin-level connections, automate design editing. works with any mcp-compatible ai tool
๐ MCP server for KiCad EDA - Analyze schematics & PCBs, trace pin-level connections, automate design editing. Works with any MCP-compatible AI tool
This server falls under the Developer Tools category on MCPgee, the world's largest MCP server directory with 33,000+ servers.
Features
- ๐ MCP server for KiCad EDA - Analyze schematics & PCBs, trac
Use Cases
Maintainer
Works with
Installation
NPM
npx -y kicadManual Installation
npx -y kicadConfiguration
Configuration Details
claude_desktop_config.json
Performance
Response Metrics
Resource Usage
How to Set Up and Use KiCad
The KiCad MCP Server connects AI assistants to KiCad EDA projects, enabling them to analyze schematics and PCB layouts, trace pin-level net connections, run design rule checks, and even generate hardware test code or device tree files. It works by running inside KiCad's bundled Python interpreter to get full access to the KiCad scripting API, giving AI tools deep insight into your electronics design. Hardware engineers who want AI-assisted design review, automated documentation, or AI-driven schematic editing without leaving their EDA environment will benefit most.
Prerequisites
- KiCad 7.0 or later installed (KiCad 10.0 recommended for full scripting support)
- Python available via KiCad's bundled interpreter (located under the KiCad application directory)
- fastmcp Python package installed into KiCad's Python environment
- An MCP-compatible client such as Claude Desktop or Claude Code
Clone the KiCad MCP server repository
Clone the Seeed-Studio kicad-mcp-server repository to a local directory where your KiCad Python can reach it.
git clone https://github.com/Seeed-Studio/kicad-mcp-server.git
cd kicad-mcp-serverInstall fastmcp into KiCad's Python interpreter
Use KiCad's bundled Python (not your system Python) to install fastmcp and the package itself. The path differs by OS โ adjust to your KiCad installation.
# macOS
/Applications/KiCad/KiCad.app/Contents/Frameworks/python3 -m pip install fastmcp
/Applications/KiCad/KiCad.app/Contents/Frameworks/python3 -m pip install -e .
# Windows (KiCad 10.0)
"C:\Program Files\KiCad\10.0\bin\python.exe" -m pip install fastmcp
"C:\Program Files\KiCad\10.0\bin\python.exe" -m pip install -e .Register the server with Claude Code via CLI
Use the claude mcp add command to register the KiCad MCP server, pointing to KiCad's Python interpreter. Adjust the path to match your OS and KiCad version.
# macOS example
claude mcp add kicad -s user -- /Applications/KiCad/KiCad.app/Contents/Frameworks/python3 -m kicad_mcp_serverOr add manually to Claude Desktop config
Edit claude_desktop_config.json to add the KiCad server entry using KiCad's Python executable.
{
"mcpServers": {
"kicad": {
"command": "/Applications/KiCad/KiCad.app/Contents/Frameworks/python3",
"args": ["-m", "kicad_mcp_server"]
}
}
}Verify with a schematic analysis prompt
Open Claude Desktop or Claude Code and ask it to list components in one of your KiCad schematic files using the full file path. This confirms the server can read your KiCad projects.
KiCad Examples
Client configuration
Claude Desktop config block for macOS. Adjust the python3 path for Windows or Linux KiCad installations.
{
"mcpServers": {
"kicad": {
"command": "/Applications/KiCad/KiCad.app/Contents/Frameworks/python3",
"args": ["-m", "kicad_mcp_server"]
}
}
}Prompts to try
Use these prompts with your KiCad project files after the server is connected.
- "List all components in /path/to/MyBoard.kicad_sch"
- "Trace all connections from U1 pin 5 in the netlist"
- "Run DRC on /path/to/MyBoard.kicad_pcb and summarize violations"
- "Check if the USB differential pairs on this PCB are length-matched"
- "Generate a device tree file for the STM32 microcontroller on this board"Troubleshooting KiCad
fastmcp fails to install into KiCad's Python
Make sure you are using KiCad's bundled python3, not your system Python. On macOS, use the full path under KiCad.app/Contents/Frameworks/. On Windows, check Program Files\KiCad\<version>\bin\python.exe.
Server returns errors when reading schematic files
Provide the absolute file path to the .kicad_sch or .kicad_pcb file. KiCad MCP server cannot resolve relative paths. Also ensure the file has been saved recently in KiCad to flush any unsaved changes.
Module kicad_mcp_server not found
Run pip install -e . from inside the cloned kicad-mcp-server directory using KiCad's Python interpreter. The -e flag installs it in editable mode so the module is discoverable.
Frequently Asked Questions about KiCad
What is KiCad?
KiCad is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that ๐ mcp server for kicad eda - analyze schematics & pcbs, trace pin-level connections, automate design editing. works with any mcp-compatible ai tool It connects AI assistants to external tools and data sources through a standardized interface.
How do I install KiCad?
Install via npm with the command: npx -y kicad. Then add the server configuration to your AI client's JSON config file (e.g., claude_desktop_config.json or .cursor/mcp.json).
Which AI clients work with KiCad?
KiCad works with all major MCP-compatible AI clients including Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code (GitHub Copilot), Windsurf, and Cline.
Is KiCad free to use?
Yes, KiCad is open source and available under the MIT license. You can use it freely in both personal and commercial projects.
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Quick Config Preview
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