docs: comprehensive documentation overhaul for v2.2.3
Major documentation update bringing all docs current with the 122-tool, 16-category state of the project (previously frozen at v2.1.0-alpha/59 tools). New documentation (9 files): - FREEROUTING_GUIDE.md - autorouter setup, Docker/Podman, all 4 tools - SCHEMATIC_TOOLS_REFERENCE.md - all 27 schematic tools with parameters - ROUTING_TOOLS_REFERENCE.md - all 13 routing tools with examples - FOOTPRINT_SYMBOL_CREATOR_GUIDE.md - 8 creator tools with examples - SVG_IMPORT_GUIDE.md - SVG logo import tool - DATASHEET_TOOLS_GUIDE.md - datasheet enrichment tools - PCB_DESIGN_WORKFLOW.md - end-to-end design guide - ARCHITECTURE.md - system architecture for contributors - INDEX.md - documentation table of contents Updated documentation (12 files): - README.md - tool count 64->122, feature list, contributor credits - TOOL_INVENTORY.md - complete rebuild with all 122 tools - STATUS_SUMMARY.md - updated to v2.2.3 feature matrix - ROADMAP.md - marked completed milestones, added v2.3+ vision - KNOWN_ISSUES.md - removed resolved issues, added v2.2.x fixes - CLIENT_CONFIGURATION.md - added KICAD_MCP_DEV, FREEROUTING_JAR env vars - LIBRARY_INTEGRATION.md - added symbol and project-local library support - ROUTER_ARCHITECTURE.md, ROUTER_QUICK_START.md - updated tool counts - IPC_BACKEND_STATUS.md - updated dates - JLCPCB_USAGE_GUIDE.md - added cross-reference note - CONTRIBUTING.md - added ARCHITECTURE.md reference, updated tool count Archived 10 completed planning docs to docs/archive/. Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 (1M context) <noreply@anthropic.com>
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KiCAD MCP Bot
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docs/archive/SCHEMATIC_WORKFLOW_FIX.md
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# Schematic Workflow Fix - Issue #26
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## Problem Summary
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The schematic workflow was completely broken due to incorrect usage of the kicad-skip library:
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1. **`create_project`** only created PCB files, no schematic
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2. **`create_schematic`** created orphaned schematic files not linked to projects
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3. **`add_schematic_component`** called non-existent `schematic.add_symbol()` method
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4. Project files didn't reference schematics in their structure
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## Root Cause
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The kicad-skip library **does not support creating symbols from scratch**. The only way to add symbols is by **cloning existing symbol instances**.
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From kicad-skip documentation:
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> "symbols: these don't have a new()" because they require complex mappings to library elements, pins, and properties.
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## Solution
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### 1. Template-Based Approach
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Created a template schematic (`python/templates/template_with_symbols.kicad_sch`) with:
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- Complete `lib_symbols` section defining R, C, LED symbols
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- Three template symbol instances placed off-screen at (-100, -110, -120)
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- Template symbols marked as `dnp yes`, `in_bom no`, `on_board no` so they don't interfere
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### 2. Updated Files
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**python/commands/project.py:**
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- Now creates both `.kicad_pcb` AND `.kicad_sch` files
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- Project file includes schematic reference in `sheets` array
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- Copies template schematic with cloneable symbols
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**python/commands/schematic.py:**
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- Uses template file instead of creating from scratch
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- Proper minimal schematic structure when template unavailable
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**python/commands/component_schematic.py:**
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- Completely rewritten to use `clone()` API
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- Maps component types to template symbols
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- Proper UUID generation for each cloned symbol
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- Correct position setting: `symbol.at.value = [x, y, rotation]`
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### 3. Correct Workflow
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```python
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from commands.project import ProjectCommands
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from commands.schematic import SchematicManager
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from commands.component_schematic import ComponentManager
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# Step 1: Create project (creates both PCB and schematic)
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project_cmd = ProjectCommands()
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result = project_cmd.create_project({
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"name": "MyProject",
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"path": "/path/to/project"
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})
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# Step 2: Load the schematic
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sch = SchematicManager.load_schematic(result['project']['schematicPath'])
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# Step 3: Add components by cloning templates
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component_def = {
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"type": "R", # Maps to _TEMPLATE_R
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"reference": "R1", # Component reference
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"value": "10k", # Component value
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"footprint": "Resistor_SMD:R_0603_1608Metric",
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"x": 50.8, # Position in mm
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"y": 50.8, # Position in mm
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"rotation": 0 # Rotation in degrees
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}
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symbol = ComponentManager.add_component(sch, component_def)
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# Step 4: Save the schematic
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SchematicManager.save_schematic(sch, result['project']['schematicPath'])
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```
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## Supported Component Types
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Currently supported template symbols:
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- `R` - Resistor (maps to `_TEMPLATE_R`)
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- `C` - Capacitor (maps to `_TEMPLATE_C`)
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- `D` or `LED` - LED (maps to `_TEMPLATE_D`)
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To add more component types, update:
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1. `python/templates/template_with_symbols.kicad_sch` - Add lib_symbol definition and template instance
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2. `python/commands/component_schematic.py` - Add mapping in `TEMPLATE_MAP`
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## Testing
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Comprehensive test created at `/tmp/test_schematic_workflow.py`:
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- Creates project with schematic
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- Loads schematic
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- Adds R, C, LED components
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- Saves schematic
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- Validates with `kicad-cli sch export pdf`
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All tests passing ✓
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## Files Modified
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- `python/commands/project.py` - Added schematic creation
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- `python/commands/schematic.py` - Fixed template usage
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- `python/commands/component_schematic.py` - Rewritten to use clone() API
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- `python/templates/empty.kicad_sch` - Minimal template (created)
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- `python/templates/template_with_symbols.kicad_sch` - Template with cloneable symbols (created)
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## Limitations
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1. Can only add components that have templates defined
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2. Template symbols remain in schematic (but marked as DNP/not in BOM)
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3. Complex symbols (multi-unit, hierarchical) may need custom templates
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## Future Improvements
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1. Add more component templates (transistors, connectors, ICs)
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2. Dynamic template generation from KiCad symbol libraries
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3. Auto-hide template symbols in schematic
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4. Support for custom user templates
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## References
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- GitHub Issue: #26
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- kicad-skip documentation: https://github.com/psychogenic/kicad-skip
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- Test results: `/tmp/test_schematic_workflow/`
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