kicad-mcp-server/CHANGELOG.md

Changelog

All notable changes to the KiCAD MCP Server project are documented here.

[2.1.0-alpha] - 2026-01-10

Phase 2: JLCPCB Integration Complete

Major Features:

• ✅ Complete JLCPCB parts integration via JLCSearch public API
• ✅ Access to ~100k JLCPCB parts catalog
• ✅ Real-time stock and pricing data
• ✅ Parametric component search
• ✅ Cost optimization (Basic vs Extended library)
• ✅ KiCad footprint mapping
• ✅ Alternative part suggestions

New Components:

• python/commands/jlcsearch.py - JLCSearch API client (no auth required)
• python/commands/jlcpcb_parts.py - Enhanced with import_jlcsearch_parts()
• docs/JLCPCB_INTEGRATION.md - Comprehensive integration guide

MCP Tools Available:

• download_jlcpcb_database - Download full parts catalog
• search_jlcpcb_parts - Parametric search with filters
• get_jlcpcb_part - Part details + footprint suggestions
• get_jlcpcb_database_stats - Database statistics
• suggest_jlcpcb_alternatives - Find similar/cheaper parts

Technical Improvements:

• SQLite database with full-text search (FTS5)
• Package-to-footprint mapping for standard SMD packages
• Price comparison and cost optimization algorithms
• HMAC-SHA256 authentication support (for official JLCPCB API)

Testing:

• All integration tests passing
• Database operations validated
• Live API connectivity confirmed
• End-to-end MCP tool testing complete

Documentation:

• Complete API reference with examples
• Package mapping tables (0402, 0603, 0805, SOT-23, etc.)
• Best practices guide
• Troubleshooting section

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[2.1.0-alpha] - 2025-11-30

Phase 1: Schematic Workflow Fix

Critical Bug Fix:

• ✅ Fixed completely broken schematic workflow (Issue #26)
• Created template-based symbol cloning approach
• All schematic tests now passing

Root Cause:

• kicad-skip library limitation: cannot create symbols from scratch, only clone existing ones

Solution:

• Template schematic with cloneable R, C, LED symbols
• Updated create_project to create both PCB and schematic
• Rewrote add_schematic_component to use clone() API
• Proper UUID generation and position setting

Files Modified:

• python/commands/project.py - Now creates schematic files
• python/commands/schematic.py - Uses template approach
• python/commands/component_schematic.py - Complete rewrite

Files Created:

• python/templates/template_with_symbols.kicad_sch
• python/templates/empty.kicad_sch
• docs/SCHEMATIC_WORKFLOW_FIX.md

Testing:

• Created comprehensive test suite
• All 7 tests passing
• KiCad CLI validation successful

---

[2.0.0-alpha] - 2025-11-05

Router Pattern & Tool Organization

Major Architecture Change:

• Implemented tool router pattern (70% context reduction)
• 12 direct tools, 47 routed tools in 7 categories
• Smart tool discovery system

New Router Tools:

• list_tool_categories - Browse available categories
• get_category_tools - View tools in category
• search_tools - Find tools by keyword
• execute_tool - Run any routed tool

Benefits:

• Dramatically reduced AI context usage
• Maintained full functionality (64 tools)
• Improved tool discoverability
• Better organization for users

---

[2.0.0-alpha] - 2025-11-01

IPC Backend Integration

Experimental Feature:

• KiCad 9.0 IPC API integration for real-time UI sync
• Changes appear immediately in KiCad (no manual reload)
• Hybrid backend: IPC + SWIG fallback
• 20+ commands with IPC support

Implementation:

• Routing operations (interactive push-and-shove)
• Component placement and modification
• Zone operations and fills
• DRC and verification

Status:

• Under active development
• Enable via KiCad: Preferences > Plugins > Enable IPC API Server
• Automatic fallback to SWIG when IPC unavailable

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[2.0.0-alpha] - 2025-10-26

Initial JLCPCB Integration (Local Libraries)

Features:

• Local JLCPCB symbol library search
• Integration with KiCad Plugin and Content Manager
• Search by LCSC part number, manufacturer, description

Credit:

• Contributed by @l3wi

Components:

• python/commands/symbol_library.py
• Basic library search functionality

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[1.0.0] - 2025-10-01

Initial Release

Core Features:

• 64 fully-documented MCP tools
• JSON Schema validation for all tools
• 8 dynamic resources for project state
• Cross-platform support (Linux, Windows, macOS)
• Comprehensive error handling
• Detailed logging

Tool Categories:

• Project Management (4 tools)
• Board Operations (9 tools)
• Component Management (8 tools)
• Routing (6 tools)
• Export & Manufacturing (5 tools)
• Design Rule Checking (4 tools)
• Schematic Operations (6 tools)
• Symbol Library (3 tools)
• JLCPCB Integration (5 tools)

Platform Support:

• Linux (KiCad 7.x, 8.x, 9.x)
• Windows (KiCad 9.x)
• macOS (KiCad 9.x)

Documentation:

• Complete README with setup instructions
• Platform-specific guides
• Tool reference documentation
• Contributing guidelines

---

Version Numbering

• 2.1.0-alpha: Current development version with JLCPCB integration
• 2.0.0-alpha: Router pattern and IPC backend
• 1.0.0: Initial stable release

Breaking Changes

2.1.0-alpha

• None (additive changes only)

2.0.0-alpha

• Tool execution now requires router for 47 tools
• Direct tool access limited to 12 high-frequency tools
• Schema validation stricter (catches errors earlier)

Deprecations

2.1.0-alpha

• docs/JLCPCB_USAGE_GUIDE.md - Superseded by docs/JLCPCB_INTEGRATION.md
• docs/JLCPCB_INTEGRATION_PLAN.md - Implementation complete

Migration Guide

Upgrading to 2.1.0-alpha from 2.0.0-alpha

New Dependencies:

• No new system dependencies
• Python packages: requests (already in requirements.txt)

Database Setup:

1. Run download_jlcpcb_database tool (one-time, ~5-10 minutes)
2. Database created at data/jlcpcb_parts.db
3. Subsequent searches use local database (instant)

API Changes:

• All existing tools remain compatible
• 5 new JLCPCB tools available
• No breaking changes to existing functionality

Upgrading to 2.0.0-alpha from 1.0.0

Router Pattern:

• Some tools now accessed via execute_tool instead of direct calls
• Use list_tool_categories to discover available tools
• Search with search_tools to find specific functionality

IPC Backend (Optional):

• Enable in KiCad: Preferences > Plugins > Enable IPC API Server
• Set KICAD_BACKEND=ipc environment variable
• Falls back to SWIG if unavailable

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Credits

• JLCSearch API: @tscircuit
• JLCParts Database: @yaqwsx
• Local JLCPCB Search: @l3wi
• KiCad: KiCad Development Team
• MCP Protocol: Anthropic

License

See LICENSE file for details.