Files
kicad-mcp-server/docs/STATUS_SUMMARY.md
KiCAD MCP Bot f047a4e4d1 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>
2026-03-21 01:31:44 -04:00

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5.2 KiB
Markdown

# KiCAD MCP - Current Status Summary
**Date:** 2026-03-21
**Version:** 2.2.3 (package.json shows 2.1.0-alpha -- CHANGELOG is authoritative)
**Phase:** Active development with community contributions
---
## Quick Stats
| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Total MCP Tools | 122 |
| Tool Categories | 16 |
| KiCAD 9.0 Compatible | Yes (verified) |
| Platforms | Linux, Windows, macOS |
| JLCPCB Parts Catalog | 2.5M+ components |
| Symbol Access | ~10,000 via dynamic loading |
| Footprint Libraries | 153+ auto-discovered |
| Contributors | 10+ |
| MCP Protocol Version | 2025-06-18 |
---
## Feature Completion Matrix
| Feature Category | Status | Tool Count | Details |
|-----------------|--------|------------|---------|
| Project Management | Complete | 5 | Create, open, save, info, snapshot |
| Board Setup | Complete | 12 | Size, outline, layers, mounting holes, zones, text, 2D view, SVG import |
| Component Placement | Complete | 16 | Place, move, rotate, delete, edit, find, pads, arrays, align, duplicate |
| Routing | Complete | 13 | Traces, vias, pad-to-pad, differential pairs, netclasses, copy pattern |
| Design Rules / DRC | Complete | 8 | Set/get rules, DRC, net classes, clearance checks |
| Export | Complete | 8 | Gerber, PDF, SVG, 3D, BOM, netlist, position file, VRML |
| Schematic | Complete | 27 | Components, wiring, net labels, connections, ERC, export, sync to board |
| Footprint Libraries | Complete | 4 | List, search, browse, info |
| Symbol Libraries | Complete | 4 | List, search, browse, info |
| Footprint Creator | Complete | 4 | Create custom footprints, edit pads, register libraries |
| Symbol Creator | Complete | 4 | Create custom symbols, register libraries |
| Datasheet Tools | Complete | 2 | LCSC datasheet enrichment |
| JLCPCB Integration | Complete | 5 | Local DB, search, part details, stats, alternatives |
| Freerouting | Complete | 4 | Autoroute, DSN export, SES import, availability check |
| UI Management | Complete | 2 | Check/launch KiCAD |
| Router Tools | Complete | 4 | Category browsing, tool search, execute |
---
## Architecture
### SWIG Backend (File-based) -- Default
- **Status:** Stable
- Direct pcbnew API access via KiCAD's Python bindings
- Requires manual KiCAD UI reload to see changes
- Works without KiCAD running
- Auto-saves after every board-modifying command
### IPC Backend (Real-time) -- Experimental
- **Status:** Functional, 21 commands implemented
- Real-time UI synchronization with KiCAD 9+
- Requires KiCAD running with IPC API enabled
- Automatic fallback to SWIG when unavailable
### Hybrid Approach
The server automatically selects the best backend:
- IPC when KiCAD is running with IPC enabled
- SWIG fallback when IPC is unavailable
- Some operations use both (e.g., footprint placement)
---
## Platform Support
### Linux -- Primary Platform
- KiCAD 9.0 detection: Working
- Process management: Working
- Library discovery: Working (153+ libraries)
- IPC backend: Working
### Windows -- Fully Supported
- Automated setup script (setup-windows.ps1)
- Process detection via Toolhelp32 API
- Library paths auto-detected
- Troubleshooting guide available (WINDOWS_TROUBLESHOOTING.md)
### macOS -- Community Supported
- Configuration provided
- Process detection implemented
- Library paths configured
- Needs community testing
---
## Recent Development Highlights
### v2.2.3 (2026-03-11)
- FFC/ribbon cable passthrough workflow (connect_passthrough, sync_schematic_to_board)
- Project snapshot system
- SVG logo import
- ERC validation
- Developer mode (KICAD_MCP_DEV=1)
- Critical B.Cu routing fixes
### v2.2.2-alpha (2026-03-01)
- route_pad_to_pad with auto-via insertion
- copy_routing_pattern for trace replication
- Project-local library resolution
### v2.2.1-alpha (2026-02-28)
- edit_schematic_component with field position support
- Footprint and symbol creator tools
### v2.2.0-alpha (2026-02-27)
- 13 new routing/component tools
- Datasheet enrichment tools
- SWIG/UUID bug fixes
### v2.1.0-alpha (2026-01-10)
- Complete schematic wiring system
- Dynamic symbol loading (~10,000 symbols)
- JLCPCB parts integration
- Router pattern (70% context reduction)
---
## Community Contributors
| Contributor | Key Contributions |
|------------|-------------------|
| Kletternaut | Routing tools, footprint/symbol creators, passthrough workflow, template fixes |
| Mehanik | Schematic inspection/editing tools, component field positions |
| jflaflamme | Freerouting autorouter integration with Docker/Podman |
| l3wi | Local symbol library search, JLCPCB third-party library support |
| gwall-ceres | MCP protocol compliance, Windows compatibility |
| fariouche | Bug fixes |
| shuofengzhang | XDG relative path handling |
| sid115 | Windows setup script improvements |
| pasrom | MCP server bug fixes |
---
## Getting Help
**For Users:**
1. Check [README.md](../README.md) for installation
2. Review [KNOWN_ISSUES.md](KNOWN_ISSUES.md) for common problems
3. Check logs: `~/.kicad-mcp/logs/kicad_interface.log`
**For Contributors:**
1. Read [CONTRIBUTING.md](../CONTRIBUTING.md) for development setup
2. Check [ARCHITECTURE.md](ARCHITECTURE.md) for system design
3. Review the [Documentation Index](INDEX.md) for all available docs
**Issues:**
- Open an issue on GitHub with OS, KiCAD version, and error details
---
*Last Updated: 2026-03-21*