feat: add export_odb tool (kicad-cli, ODB++ archive)

New MCP tool `export_odb` wrapping `kicad-cli pcb export odb`: precision,
compression mode (zip/tgz/none), and units. Single ODB++ job archive for
CAM/MES/assembly. Self-contained interface handler reading the saved
.kicad_pcb.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.8 (1M context) <noreply@anthropic.com>

python/kicad_interface.py

@@ -590,6 +590,7 @@ class KiCADInterface:
             "export_gerbers": self._handle_export_gerbers,
             "export_drill": self._handle_export_drill,
             "export_ipc2581": self._handle_export_ipc2581,
+            "export_odb": self._handle_export_odb,
             "generate_netlist": self._handle_generate_netlist,
             "sync_schematic_to_board": self._handle_sync_schematic_to_board,
             "list_schematic_libraries": self._handle_list_schematic_libraries,
@@ -4763,6 +4764,74 @@ class KiCADInterface:
             logger.error(f"Error exporting IPC-2581: {e}")
             return {"success": False, "message": str(e)}
 
+    def _handle_export_odb(self, params: Dict[str, Any]) -> Dict[str, Any]:
+        """Export the PCB in ODB++ format via kicad-cli (`pcb export odb`).
+
+        ODB++ is a fab/assembly job archive. ``compression`` selects the output
+        container (zip / tgz / none). Reads the saved .kicad_pcb.
+        """
+        import subprocess
+
+        logger.info("Exporting ODB++ via kicad-cli")
+        try:
+            board_path = params.get("boardPath") or self._current_board_path()
+            output_path = params.get("outputPath")
+
+            if not board_path:
+                return {
+                    "success": False,
+                    "message": "boardPath is required (no current board could be resolved)",
+                }
+            if not os.path.exists(board_path):
+                return {"success": False, "message": f"Board not found: {board_path}"}
+            if not output_path:
+                return {"success": False, "message": "outputPath is required"}
+
+            kicad_cli = self._find_kicad_cli_static()
+            if not kicad_cli:
+                return {"success": False, "message": "kicad-cli not found in PATH"}
+
+            output_path = os.path.abspath(os.path.expanduser(output_path))
+            parent = os.path.dirname(output_path)
+            if parent:
+                os.makedirs(parent, exist_ok=True)
+
+            cmd = [kicad_cli, "pcb", "export", "odb", "--output", output_path]
+
+            if params.get("drawingSheet"):
+                cmd += ["--drawing-sheet", params["drawingSheet"]]
+            for kv in params.get("defineVar", []) or []:
+                cmd += ["--define-var", kv]
+            for key, flag in {
+                "precision": "--precision",
+                "compression": "--compression",
+                "units": "--units",
+            }.items():
+                val = params.get(key)
+                if val is not None and val != "":
+                    cmd += [flag, str(val)]
+
+            cmd.append(board_path)
+
+            logger.info(f"Running: {' '.join(cmd)}")
+            result = subprocess.run(cmd, capture_output=True, text=True, timeout=180)
+
+            if result.returncode != 0:
+                return {
+                    "success": False,
+                    "message": f"kicad-cli failed (exit {result.returncode}): "
+                    f"{result.stderr.strip()}",
+                }
+            return {"success": True, "outputPath": output_path}
+
+        except FileNotFoundError:
+            return {"success": False, "message": "kicad-cli not found in PATH"}
+        except subprocess.TimeoutExpired:
+            return {"success": False, "message": "kicad-cli timed out after 180 seconds"}
+        except Exception as e:
+            logger.error(f"Error exporting ODB++: {e}")
+            return {"success": False, "message": str(e)}
+
     def _handle_generate_netlist(self, params: Dict[str, Any]) -> Dict[str, Any]:
         """Generate netlist from schematic and return structured JSON.
 

src/tools/export.ts

@@ -499,5 +499,40 @@ export function registerExportTools(server: McpServer, callKicadScript: CommandF
     },
   );
 
+  // ------------------------------------------------------
+  // Export ODB++ Tool (kicad-cli)
+  // ------------------------------------------------------
+  server.tool(
+    "export_odb",
+    "Export the PCB in ODB++ format via kicad-cli. Single job archive (copper, drill, placement, components, nets, outline) widely used by CAM/MES/assembly. Reads the last SAVED state of the .kicad_pcb.",
+    {
+      outputPath: z.string().describe("Output file path (archive or directory per compression)"),
+      boardPath: z.string().optional().describe("Path to the .kicad_pcb (default: current board)"),
+      drawingSheet: z.string().optional().describe("Path to a drawing sheet override"),
+      defineVar: z
+        .array(z.string())
+        .optional()
+        .describe("Project variable overrides as 'KEY=VALUE' strings"),
+      precision: z.number().optional().describe("Coordinate precision (default 2)"),
+      compression: z
+        .enum(["zip", "tgz", "none"])
+        .optional()
+        .describe("Output container/compression mode (default zip)"),
+      units: z.enum(["mm", "in"]).optional().describe("Units (default mm)"),
+    },
+    async (args) => {
+      logger.debug(`Exporting ODB++ to: ${args.outputPath}`);
+      const result = await callKicadScript("export_odb", args);
+      return {
+        content: [
+          {
+            type: "text",
+            text: JSON.stringify(result),
+          },
+        ],
+      };
+    },
+  );
+
   logger.info("Export tools registered");
 }

src/tools/registry.ts

@@ -61,6 +61,7 @@ export const toolCategories: ToolCategory[] = [
       "export_gerbers",
       "export_drill",
       "export_ipc2581",
+      "export_odb",
       "export_pdf",
       "export_svg",
       "export_3d",