operating-kicad-eda
KiCad EDA orchestration via kicad-mcp MCP server. Routes 17 tools for schematic creation, PCB layout, autorouting, DRC, and Gerber export. Enforces serialized PCB ops, library-first lookup, and autoroute-only routing.
SKILL.md
Full skill instructions
Operating KiCad EDA
判断先于执行：决定「是否做 / 选什么 / 如何取舍」（栈、方案、架构、权衡）前，先读领域判断内核
skills/_kernel/hardware/SKILL.md——它管 judgment，本秘典管 execution；冲突时以内核判断为准。
MCP tool router for KiCad 9. Never guess, never hand-route, never parallelize PCB writes.
When to use
| Scenario | Use | Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Create schematic from design doc | Yes | schematic() operations |
| Generate PCB from schematic | Yes | build_pcb_from_schematic |
| Route a PCB | Yes | autoroute(operation="run") only |
| Fix DRC violations | Yes | drc(operation="autofix") |
| Export manufacturing files | Yes | export() Gerber/BOM/render |
| Hand-place a single trace | NO | LLM traces violate clearances |
Iron rules
- NEVER hand-route —
pcb(add_trace/add_via)produces DRC-failing garbage. Useautoroute(operation="run"). - NEVER guess names — footprint and symbol names change between KiCad versions. Always
library(operation="search")first. - SERIALIZE PCB ops — MCP PCB tools do load/modify/save. Parallel calls corrupt the
.kicad_pcbfile. - VERIFY after changes —
drc(operation="run")+audit(operation="all")before declaring done.
MCP tool routing table
| Task | MCP Tool | Operation |
|---|---|---|
| Search parts | library | search |
| Create/edit schematic | schematic | create_symbol, add_wire, add_label |
| Build PCB from schematic | build_pcb_from_schematic | — (standalone) |
| Place footprints | pcb | place_footprint |
| Set board outline | pcb | set_board_outline |
| Add zones (copper pour) | pcb | add_zone |
| Auto-route | autoroute | run |
| Run DRC | drc | run |
| Auto-fix DRC | drc | autofix |
| Export Gerber | export | gerber |
| Export BOM | export | bom |
| 3D render | export | render |
| Estimate board size | estimate_board_size | — (standalone) |
| Suggest placement | suggest_placement | — (standalone) |
| Full audit | audit | all |
Standard pipeline
1. library(search) → find symbols and footprints
2. schematic(create_symbol) → place all components
3. schematic(add_wire/add_label) → connect nets
4. [Python] footprint injection script → fix kicad-cli lookup
5. build_pcb_from_schematic → initial PCB
6. pcb(set_board_outline) → product form factor
7. suggest_placement or pcb(place_footprint) → position components
8. autoroute(run) → FreeRouter
9. drc(run) → check
10. drc(autofix) → fix violations
11. pcb(add_zone) → GND copper pour both layers
12. export(gerber) → manufacturing files
13. export(render) → 3D views
References
| Topic | File |
|---|---|
| KiCad 9 parse quirks | kicad9-quirks.md |
| DRC fix strategies | drc-strategies.md |
| Footprint injection | footprint-injection.md |
Exit criteria
- ERC: 0 errors (warnings acceptable)
- DRC: 0 violations
- All nets routed (no unconnected)
- Gerber zip exportable