feat: add export_pos tool (kicad-cli, full placement-file option set)

New MCP tool `export_pos` wrapping `kicad-cli pcb export pos`: exposes
side, format, units, bottom-negate-X, drill-file origin, SMD-only,
exclude-through-hole, exclude-DNP and gerber-board-edge. Rich CLI sibling
of the existing SWIG-limited export_position_file (left untouched).
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

@@ -593,6 +593,7 @@ class KiCADInterface:
             "export_odb": self._handle_export_odb,
             "export_ipcd356": self._handle_export_ipcd356,
             "export_gencad": self._handle_export_gencad,
+            "export_pos": self._handle_export_pos,
             "generate_netlist": self._handle_generate_netlist,
             "sync_schematic_to_board": self._handle_sync_schematic_to_board,
             "list_schematic_libraries": self._handle_list_schematic_libraries,
@@ -4959,6 +4960,85 @@ class KiCADInterface:
             logger.error(f"Error exporting GenCAD: {e}")
             return {"success": False, "message": str(e)}
 
+    def _handle_export_pos(self, params: Dict[str, Any]) -> Dict[str, Any]:
+        """Generate a component placement (position) file via kicad-cli
+        (`pcb export pos`).
+
+        This is the rich CLI sibling of export_position_file: full option set
+        (side, format, units, bottom-negate-X, drill origin, SMD-only, TH/DNP
+        exclusion, gerber board edge). Reads the saved .kicad_pcb.
+        """
+        import subprocess
+
+        logger.info("Exporting position file 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", "pos", "--output", output_path]
+
+            value_map = {
+                "side": "--side",
+                "format": "--format",
+                "units": "--units",
+            }
+            for key, flag in value_map.items():
+                val = params.get(key)
+                if val is not None and val != "":
+                    cmd += [flag, str(val)]
+
+            flag_map = {
+                "bottomNegateX": "--bottom-negate-x",
+                "useDrillFileOrigin": "--use-drill-file-origin",
+                "smdOnly": "--smd-only",
+                "excludeFpTh": "--exclude-fp-th",
+                "excludeDnp": "--exclude-dnp",
+                "gerberBoardEdge": "--gerber-board-edge",
+            }
+            for key, flag in flag_map.items():
+                if params.get(key):
+                    cmd.append(flag)
+
+            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 position file: {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

@@ -594,5 +594,59 @@ export function registerExportTools(server: McpServer, callKicadScript: CommandF
     },
   );
 
+  // ------------------------------------------------------
+  // Export Position File Tool (kicad-cli, full option set)
+  // ------------------------------------------------------
+  server.tool(
+    "export_pos",
+    "Generate a component placement (position / pick-and-place) file via kicad-cli, exposing the full CLI option set (side, format, units, bottom-negate-X, drill-file origin, SMD-only, exclude through-hole / DNP, gerber board edge). Rich CLI sibling of export_position_file. Reads the last SAVED state of the .kicad_pcb.",
+    {
+      outputPath: z.string().describe("Output position file path"),
+      boardPath: z.string().optional().describe("Path to the .kicad_pcb (default: current board)"),
+      side: z
+        .enum(["front", "back", "both"])
+        .optional()
+        .describe("Board side (gerber format only supports front or back; default both)"),
+      format: z
+        .enum(["ascii", "csv", "gerber"])
+        .optional()
+        .describe("Output format (default ascii)"),
+      units: z
+        .enum(["in", "mm"])
+        .optional()
+        .describe("Output units; ascii or csv format only (default in)"),
+      bottomNegateX: z
+        .boolean()
+        .optional()
+        .describe("Use negative X coordinates for bottom-layer footprints (ascii/csv only)"),
+      useDrillFileOrigin: z
+        .boolean()
+        .optional()
+        .describe("Use drill/place file origin (ascii/csv only)"),
+      smdOnly: z.boolean().optional().describe("Include only SMD footprints (ascii/csv only)"),
+      excludeFpTh: z
+        .boolean()
+        .optional()
+        .describe("Exclude all footprints with through-hole pads (ascii/csv only)"),
+      excludeDnp: z
+        .boolean()
+        .optional()
+        .describe("Exclude all footprints with the Do Not Populate flag set"),
+      gerberBoardEdge: z.boolean().optional().describe("Include board edge layer (Gerber only)"),
+    },
+    async (args) => {
+      logger.debug(`Exporting position file to: ${args.outputPath}`);
+      const result = await callKicadScript("export_pos", args);
+      return {
+        content: [
+          {
+            type: "text",
+            text: JSON.stringify(result),
+          },
+        ],
+      };
+    },
+  );
+
   logger.info("Export tools registered");
 }

src/tools/registry.ts

@@ -64,6 +64,7 @@ export const toolCategories: ToolCategory[] = [
       "export_odb",
       "export_ipcd356",
       "export_gencad",
+      "export_pos",
       "export_pdf",
       "export_svg",
       "export_3d",