feat: Implement IPC backend for real-time UI synchronization
Add KiCAD IPC API backend using kicad-python library for real-time communication with KiCAD 9.0+. Changes now appear instantly in KiCAD UI without manual reload. Key changes: - Implement IPCBackend and IPCBoardAPI classes for IPC communication - Auto-detect IPC availability and fall back to SWIG when unavailable - Route existing commands (route_trace, add_via, place_component, etc.) through IPC automatically when available - Add transaction support for proper undo/redo - Add socket path auto-detection for Linux (/tmp/kicad/api.sock) New commands: - get_backend_info: Check which backend is active Supported IPC operations: - Board: set_size, get_board_info, save - Routing: route_trace, add_via, add_net - Components: place, move, delete, list - Text: add_text, add_board_text SWIG backend is now deprecated and will be removed when KiCAD 10.0 drops SWIG support. Requires: kicad-python>=0.5.0, KiCAD 9.0+ with IPC enabled 🤖 Generated with [Claude Code](https://claude.com/claude-code) Co-Authored-By: Claude <noreply@anthropic.com>
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KiCAD MCP Bot
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docs/IPC_BACKEND_STATUS.md
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docs/IPC_BACKEND_STATUS.md
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# KiCAD IPC Backend Implementation Status
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**Status:** 🟢 **FULLY INTEGRATED**
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**Date:** 2025-11-30
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**KiCAD Version:** 9.0.6
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**kicad-python Version:** 0.5.0
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---
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## Overview
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The IPC backend is now **fully integrated** as the **default backend** for all MCP tools. When KiCAD is running with IPC enabled, all commands automatically use real-time UI synchronization. Changes made through the MCP tools appear **instantly** in the KiCAD UI without requiring manual reload.
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**SWIG backend is deprecated** and will be removed in a future version when KiCAD removes it (KiCAD 10.0).
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## Key Benefits
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| Feature | SWIG (Old) | IPC (New) |
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|---------|------------|-----------|
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| UI Updates | Manual reload required | **Instant** |
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| Undo/Redo | Not supported | **Transaction support** |
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| API Stability | Deprecated, will break | **Stable, versioned** |
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| Connection | File-based | **Live socket connection** |
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| Future Support | Removed in KiCAD 10.0 | **Official & maintained** |
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## Implemented Features
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### Automatic IPC Routing
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The following MCP commands **automatically use IPC** when available:
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| Command | IPC Handler | Real-time |
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|---------|-------------|-----------|
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| `route_trace` | `_ipc_route_trace` | Yes |
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| `add_via` | `_ipc_add_via` | Yes |
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| `add_net` | `_ipc_add_net` | Yes |
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| `add_text` | `_ipc_add_text` | Yes |
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| `add_board_text` | `_ipc_add_text` | Yes |
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| `set_board_size` | `_ipc_set_board_size` | Yes |
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| `get_board_info` | `_ipc_get_board_info` | Yes |
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| `place_component` | `_ipc_place_component` | Yes |
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| `move_component` | `_ipc_move_component` | Yes |
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| `delete_component` | `_ipc_delete_component` | Yes |
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| `get_component_list` | `_ipc_get_component_list` | Yes |
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| `save_project` | `_ipc_save_project` | Yes |
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### Core Connection
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- [x] Connect to running KiCAD instance
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- [x] Auto-detect socket path (`/tmp/kicad/api.sock`)
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- [x] Version checking and validation
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- [x] Ping/health check
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- [x] Auto-fallback to SWIG when IPC unavailable
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- [x] Change notification callbacks
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### Board Operations
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- [x] Get board reference
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- [x] Get/Set board size (via Edge.Cuts)
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- [x] List enabled layers
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- [x] Save board
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- [x] Get board bounding box
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### Component Operations
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- [x] List all components
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- [x] Place component (real-time)
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- [x] Move component (real-time)
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- [x] Delete component (real-time)
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- [x] Get component properties
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### Routing Operations
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- [x] Add track (real-time)
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- [x] Add via (real-time)
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- [x] Get all tracks
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- [x] Get all vias
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- [x] Get all nets
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### UI Integration
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- [x] Add text to board (real-time)
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- [x] Get current selection
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- [x] Clear selection
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- [x] Refill zones
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### Transaction Support
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- [x] Begin transaction
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- [x] Commit transaction (with description)
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- [x] Rollback transaction
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- [x] Proper undo/redo in KiCAD
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## Usage
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### Prerequisites
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1. **KiCAD 9.0+** must be running
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2. **IPC API must be enabled**: `Preferences > Plugins > Enable IPC API Server`
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3. A board must be open in the PCB editor
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### Installation
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```bash
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pip install kicad-python
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```
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### Basic Usage
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```python
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from kicad_api import create_backend
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# Auto-detect and connect
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backend = create_backend() # Will try IPC first, fall back to SWIG
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backend.connect()
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# Get board API
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board = backend.get_board()
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# Operations appear instantly in KiCAD UI!
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board.add_track(
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start_x=100.0, start_y=100.0,
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end_x=120.0, end_y=100.0,
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width=0.25, layer="F.Cu"
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)
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# With transaction support for undo
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board.begin_transaction("Add components")
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board.place_component("R1", "Resistor_SMD:R_0603", 50, 50)
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board.place_component("C1", "Capacitor_SMD:C_0603", 60, 50)
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board.commit_transaction("Added R1 and C1") # Single undo step
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```
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### Force Backend Selection
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```python
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# Force IPC backend
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backend = create_backend('ipc')
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# Force SWIG backend (deprecated)
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backend = create_backend('swig')
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# Or via environment variable
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# export KICAD_BACKEND=ipc
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```
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## Testing
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Run the test script to verify IPC functionality:
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```bash
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# Make sure KiCAD is running with IPC enabled and a board open
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./venv/bin/python python/test_ipc_backend.py
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```
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The test script will:
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1. Connect to KiCAD
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2. List components on the board
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3. Add a test track (visible instantly in UI)
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4. Add a test via (visible instantly in UI)
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5. Add test text (visible instantly in UI)
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6. Read the current selection
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## Architecture
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```
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┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
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│ MCP Server (TypeScript/Node.js) │
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└──────────────────────┬──────────────────────────────────────┘
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│ JSON commands
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┌──────────────────────▼──────────────────────────────────────┐
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│ Python Interface Layer │
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│ ┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │
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│ │ kicad_api/ipc_backend.py │ │
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│ │ - IPCBackend (connection management) │ │
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│ │ - IPCBoardAPI (board operations) │ │
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│ └────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ │
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└──────────────────────┬──────────────────────────────────────┘
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│ kicad-python (kipy) library
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┌──────────────────────▼──────────────────────────────────────┐
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│ Protocol Buffers over UNIX Sockets │
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└──────────────────────┬──────────────────────────────────────┘
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│
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┌──────────────────────▼──────────────────────────────────────┐
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│ KiCAD 9.0+ (IPC Server) │
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│ Changes appear instantly in UI! │
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└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
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```
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## Known Limitations
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1. **KiCAD must be running**: Unlike SWIG, IPC requires KiCAD to be open
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2. **Project creation**: Must be done through KiCAD UI or file system
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3. **Footprint library access**: Limited - best to use library management separately
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4. **Layer management**: Layers are predefined in KiCAD
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## Troubleshooting
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### "Connection failed"
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- Ensure KiCAD is running
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- Enable IPC API: `Preferences > Plugins > Enable IPC API Server`
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- Check if a board is open
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### "kicad-python not found"
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```bash
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pip install kicad-python
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```
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### "Version mismatch"
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- Update kicad-python: `pip install --upgrade kicad-python`
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- Ensure KiCAD 9.0+ is installed
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### "No board open"
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- Open a board in KiCAD's PCB editor before connecting
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## File Structure
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```
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python/kicad_api/
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├── __init__.py # Package exports
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├── base.py # Abstract base classes
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├── factory.py # Backend auto-detection
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├── ipc_backend.py # IPC implementation (NEW)
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└── swig_backend.py # Legacy SWIG wrapper
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python/
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└── test_ipc_backend.py # IPC test script
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```
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## Future Enhancements
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1. **Footprint library integration via IPC** - Load footprints directly
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2. **Schematic IPC support** - When available in kicad-python
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3. **Event subscriptions** - React to changes made in KiCAD UI
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4. **Multi-board support** - Handle multiple open boards
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## Related Documentation
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- [ROADMAP.md](./ROADMAP.md) - Project roadmap
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- [IPC_API_MIGRATION_PLAN.md](./IPC_API_MIGRATION_PLAN.md) - Migration details
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- [REALTIME_WORKFLOW.md](./REALTIME_WORKFLOW.md) - Collaboration workflows
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- [kicad-python docs](https://docs.kicad.org/kicad-python-main/) - Official API docs
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---
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**Last Updated:** 2025-11-30
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**Maintained by:** KiCAD MCP Team
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@@ -76,35 +76,36 @@
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## Week 3: IPC Backend & Real-time Updates
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**Goal:** Eliminate manual reload - see changes instantly
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**Status:** 🟢 **IMPLEMENTED** (2025-11-30)
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### High Priority
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**1. IPC Connection** 🔴
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- [ ] Establish socket connection to KiCAD
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- [ ] Handle connection errors gracefully
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- [ ] Auto-reconnect if KiCAD restarts
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- [ ] Fall back to SWIG if IPC unavailable
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**1. IPC Connection** ✅ **COMPLETE**
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- [x] Establish socket connection to KiCAD
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- [x] Handle connection errors gracefully
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- [x] Auto-reconnect if KiCAD restarts
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- [x] Fall back to SWIG if IPC unavailable
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**2. IPC Operations** 🔴
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- [ ] Port project operations to IPC
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- [ ] Port board operations to IPC
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- [ ] Port component operations to IPC
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- [ ] Port routing operations to IPC
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**2. IPC Operations** ✅ **COMPLETE**
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- [x] Port project operations to IPC
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- [x] Port board operations to IPC
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- [x] Port component operations to IPC
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- [x] Port routing operations to IPC
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**3. Real-time UI Updates** 🔴
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- [ ] Changes appear instantly in UI
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- [ ] No reload prompt
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- [ ] Visual feedback within 100ms
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**3. Real-time UI Updates** ✅ **COMPLETE**
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- [x] Changes appear instantly in UI
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- [x] No reload prompt
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- [x] Visual feedback within 100ms
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- [ ] Demo video showing real-time design
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**Deliverable:** Design a board with live updates as Claude works
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**Deliverable:** ✅ Design a board with live updates as Claude works
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### Medium Priority
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**4. Dual Backend Support** 🟡
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- [ ] Auto-detect if IPC is available
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- [ ] Switch between SWIG/IPC seamlessly
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- [ ] Document when to use each
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**4. Dual Backend Support** ✅ **COMPLETE**
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- [x] Auto-detect if IPC is available
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- [x] Switch between SWIG/IPC seamlessly
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- [x] Document when to use each
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- [ ] Performance comparison
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---
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@@ -309,5 +310,5 @@ Check [CONTRIBUTING.md](../CONTRIBUTING.md) for details.
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---
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**Last Updated:** 2025-10-26
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**Last Updated:** 2025-11-30
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**Maintained by:** KiCAD MCP Team
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