kicad-mcp-server/docs/SCHEMATIC_TOOLS_REFERENCE.md

Schematic Tools Reference

Added in: v2.1.0, expanded in v2.2.0-v2.2.3 Contributors: @Mehanik (PRs #60, #66), @Kletternaut (PR #57)

This document provides a complete reference for the 27 schematic tools in the KiCAD MCP Server. These tools enable a complete schematic design workflow, from creating projects and adding components to wiring, validation, and synchronization with PCB boards. The dynamic symbol loading feature provides access to approximately 10,000 standard KiCad symbols.

Component Operations (8 tools)

add_schematic_component

Add a component to the schematic. Symbol format is 'Library:SymbolName' (e.g., 'Device:R', 'EDA-MCP:ESP32-C3').

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
schematicPath	string	Yes	Path to the schematic file
symbol	string	Yes	Symbol library:name reference (e.g., Device:R, EDA-MCP:ESP32-C3)
reference	string	Yes	Component reference (e.g., R1, U1)
value	string	No	Component value
footprint	string	No	KiCAD footprint (e.g. Resistor_SMD:R_0603_1608Metric)
position	object	No	Position on schematic with x and y coordinates

Usage Notes: The dynamic symbol loader provides access to ~10,000 KiCad standard symbols. If a symbol is not in the static template map, it will be loaded dynamically from the specified library.

delete_schematic_component

Remove a placed symbol from a KiCAD schematic (.kicad_sch). This removes the symbol instance (the placed component) from the schematic. It does NOT remove the symbol definition from lib_symbols. Note: This tool operates on schematic files (.kicad_sch). To remove a footprint from a PCB, use delete_component instead.

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
schematicPath	string	Yes	Path to the .kicad_sch file
reference	string	Yes	Reference designator of the component to remove (e.g. R1, U3)

edit_schematic_component

Update properties of a placed symbol in a KiCAD schematic (.kicad_sch) in-place. Use this tool to assign or update a footprint, change the value, or rename the reference of an already-placed component. This is more efficient than delete + re-add because it preserves the component's position and UUID. Note: operates on .kicad_sch files only. To modify a PCB footprint use edit_component.

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
schematicPath	string	Yes	Path to the .kicad_sch file
reference	string	Yes	Current reference designator of the component (e.g. R1, U3)
footprint	string	No	New KiCAD footprint string (e.g. Resistor_SMD:R_0603_1608Metric)
value	string	No	New value string (e.g. 10k, 100nF)
newReference	string	No	Rename the reference designator (e.g. R1 → R10)
fieldPositions	object	No	Reposition field labels: map of field name to {x, y, angle} (e.g. {"Reference": {"x": 12.5, "y": 17.0}})

get_schematic_component

Get full component info from a schematic: position, field values, and each field's label position (at x/y/angle). Use this to inspect or prepare repositioning of Reference/Value labels.

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
schematicPath	string	Yes	Path to the .kicad_sch file
reference	string	Yes	Component reference designator (e.g. R1, U1)

list_schematic_components

List all components in a schematic with their references, values, positions, and pins. Essential for inspecting what's on the schematic before making edits.

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
schematicPath	string	Yes	Path to the .kicad_sch file
filter	object	No	Optional filters with libId and/or referencePrefix fields
filter.libId	string	No	Filter by library ID (e.g., 'Device:R')
filter.referencePrefix	string	No	Filter by reference prefix (e.g., 'R', 'C', 'U')

move_schematic_component

Move a placed symbol to a new position in the schematic.

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
schematicPath	string	Yes	Path to the .kicad_sch file
reference	string	Yes	Reference designator (e.g., R1, U1)
position	object	Yes	New position with x and y coordinates

rotate_schematic_component

Rotate a placed symbol in the schematic.

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
schematicPath	string	Yes	Path to the .kicad_sch file
reference	string	Yes	Reference designator (e.g., R1, U1)
angle	number	Yes	Rotation angle in degrees (0, 90, 180, 270)
mirror	enum	No	Optional mirror axis ("x" or "y")

annotate_schematic

Assign reference designators to unannotated components (R? → R1, R2, ...). Must be called before tools that require known references.

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
schematicPath	string	Yes	Path to the .kicad_sch file

Wiring and Connections (8 tools)

add_wire

Add a wire connection in the schematic.

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
start	object	Yes	Start position with x and y coordinates
end	object	Yes	End position with x and y coordinates

add_schematic_connection

Connect two component pins with a wire. Use this for individual connections between components with different pin roles (e.g. U1.SDA → J3.2). WARNING: Do NOT use this in a loop to wire N passthrough pins — use connect_passthrough instead (single call, cleaner layout, far fewer tokens).

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
schematicPath	string	Yes	Path to the schematic file
sourceRef	string	Yes	Source component reference (e.g., R1)
sourcePin	string	Yes	Source pin name/number (e.g., 1, 2, GND)
targetRef	string	Yes	Target component reference (e.g., C1)
targetPin	string	Yes	Target pin name/number (e.g., 1, 2, VCC)

add_schematic_net_label

Add a net label to the schematic.

Preferred usage — snap to pin: supply componentRef + pinNumber and the label is placed at the exact pin endpoint resolved by PinLocator. This guarantees an electrical connection. A 0.01 mm offset is enough to break the connection in KiCad, so this mode eliminates all guesswork.

Alternative — explicit position: supply position [x, y]. The coordinates must match a pin or wire endpoint exactly; use get_schematic_pin_locations first to obtain them.

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
schematicPath	string	Yes	Path to the schematic file
netName	string	Yes	Name of the net (e.g., VCC, GND, SIGNAL_1)
position	array [x, y]	No*	Explicit position. Required when componentRef/pinNumber not given.
componentRef	string	No*	Component reference to snap to (e.g. U1). Use with pinNumber.
pinNumber	string|number	No*	Pin number or name (e.g. "1", "GND"). Use with componentRef.
labelType	string	No	label (default), global_label, or hierarchical_label
orientation	number	No	Rotation angle: 0, 90, 180, 270 (default: 0)

* Either position or (componentRef + pinNumber) is required.

Response fields:

Field	Description
success	true / false
actual_position	[x, y] coordinates where the label was actually placed
snapped_to_pin	{component, pin} — present only when pin-snapping was used
message	Human-readable status

connect_to_net

Connect a component pin to a named net by adding a wire stub from the pin endpoint and placing a net label at the stub's far end. The exact pin coordinates are resolved internally via PinLocator.

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
schematicPath	string	Yes	Path to the schematic file
componentRef	string	Yes	Component reference (e.g., U1, R1)
pinName	string	Yes	Pin name/number to connect
netName	string	Yes	Name of the net to connect to

Response fields:

Field	Description
success	true / false
pin_location	[x, y] exact pin endpoint used
label_location	[x, y] where the net label was placed
wire_stub	[[x1,y1],[x2,y2]] the wire segment added
message	Human-readable status

Usage Notes: Creates a wire stub from the pin and places a net label at the stub endpoint. The stub direction follows the pin's outward angle. Default stub length is 2.54 mm (0.1 inch, standard grid spacing). Check pin_location in the response to confirm the correct pin was found; no separate verification call is needed.

connect_passthrough

Connects all pins of a source connector (e.g. J1) to matching pins of a target connector (e.g. J2) via shared net labels — pin N gets net '{netPrefix}_{N}'. Use this for FFC/ribbon cable passthrough adapters instead of calling connect_to_net for every pin.

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
schematicPath	string	Yes	Path to the schematic file
sourceRef	string	Yes	Source connector reference (e.g. J1)
targetRef	string	Yes	Target connector reference (e.g. J2)
netPrefix	string	No	Net name prefix, e.g. 'CSI' → CSI_1, CSI_2 (default: PIN)
pinOffset	number	No	Add to pin number when building net name (default: 0)

Usage Notes: This is the most efficient way to wire passthrough adapters. For an N-pin connector, this replaces N individual connect_to_net calls with a single operation.

get_schematic_pin_locations

Returns the exact x/y coordinates of every pin on a schematic component. Useful for inspection or when building custom placement logic. When the goal is to connect a pin to a net, prefer add_schematic_net_label with componentRef+pinNumber (which calls this internally) or connect_to_net — both snap to the exact pin endpoint automatically.

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
schematicPath	string	Yes	Path to the schematic file
reference	string	Yes	Component reference designator (e.g. U1, R1, J2)

delete_schematic_wire

Remove a wire from the schematic by start and end coordinates.

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
schematicPath	string	Yes	Path to the .kicad_sch file
start	object	Yes	Wire start position with x and y coordinates
end	object	Yes	Wire end position with x and y coordinates

delete_schematic_net_label

Remove a net label from the schematic.

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
schematicPath	string	Yes	Path to the .kicad_sch file
netName	string	Yes	Name of the net label to remove
position	object	No	Position to disambiguate if multiple labels with same name (x and y coordinates)

Net Analysis (5 tools)

get_net_connections

Get all connections for a named net.

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
schematicPath	string	Yes	Path to the schematic file
netName	string	Yes	Name of the net to query

Usage Notes: Uses wire graph analysis to find all component pins connected to the specified net. Returns a list of {component, pin} pairs.

list_schematic_nets

List all nets in the schematic with their connections.

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
schematicPath	string	Yes	Path to the .kicad_sch file

list_schematic_wires

List all wires in the schematic with start/end coordinates.

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
schematicPath	string	Yes	Path to the .kicad_sch file

list_schematic_labels

List all net labels, global labels, and power flags in the schematic.

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
schematicPath	string	Yes	Path to the .kicad_sch file

get_net_at_point

Return the net name at a given (x, y) coordinate, or null if no net label or wire endpoint is present there.

Checks net label / power symbol positions first (exact IU match), then wire endpoints. Faster than get_wire_connections when you only need the net name and not full pin traversal.

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
schematicPath	string	Yes	Path to the .kicad_sch schematic file
x	number	Yes	X coordinate in mm
y	number	Yes	Y coordinate in mm

Response fields:

Field	Description
net_name	Net label string, or null if no net found at this point
position	{"x": float, "y": float} — echoes the query coordinates
source	"net_label" | "wire_endpoint" | null — how the net was resolved

Schematic Creation and Export (6 tools)

create_schematic

Create a new schematic.

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
name	string	Yes	Schematic name
path	string	No	Optional path

export_schematic_svg

Export schematic to SVG format using kicad-cli.

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
schematicPath	string	Yes	Path to the .kicad_sch file
outputPath	string	Yes	Output SVG file path
blackAndWhite	boolean	No	Export in black and white

export_schematic_pdf

Export schematic to PDF format using kicad-cli.

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
schematicPath	string	Yes	Path to the .kicad_sch file
outputPath	string	Yes	Output PDF file path
blackAndWhite	boolean	No	Export in black and white

get_schematic_view

Return a rasterized image of the schematic (PNG by default, or SVG). Uses kicad-cli to export SVG, then converts to PNG via cairosvg. Use this for visual feedback after placing or wiring components.

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
schematicPath	string	Yes	Path to the .kicad_sch file
format	enum	No	Output format ("png" or "svg", default: png)
width	number	No	Image width in pixels (default: 1200)
height	number	No	Image height in pixels (default: 900)

generate_netlist

Return a structured JSON netlist from the schematic for programmatic use. Uses kicad-cli internally — the schematic file must be saved to disk first.

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
schematicPath	string	Yes	Absolute path to the .kicad_sch schematic file

Returns: { components: [{reference, value, footprint}], nets: [{name, connections: [{component, pin}]}] }

Usage Notes: Use this when you need net membership data in the conversation (e.g., to verify connectivity). For writing a netlist to a file or exporting SPICE/Cadstar/OrcadPCB2 format, use export_netlist instead.

export_netlist

Export a netlist to a file in a standard EDA format using kicad-cli. Supports SPICE (for simulation), KiCad XML (for archiving/import), Cadstar, and OrcadPCB2.

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
schematicPath	string	Yes	Absolute path to the .kicad_sch schematic file
outputPath	string	Yes	Absolute path for the output file (e.g. /tmp/design.spice)
format	enum	No	KiCad (default), Spice, Cadstar, OrcadPCB2

Usage Notes: The schematic file must be saved before calling this tool. Use Spice format to produce a SPICE netlist for simulation or diff against a reference. The output file is created or overwritten at outputPath.

Validation and Synchronization (6 tools)

list_floating_labels

Return all net labels that are not connected to any component pin.

A label is "floating" when no component pin's coordinate falls on the wire-network reachable from the label's anchor position. Floating labels indicate misplaced or off-grid labels that will cause ERC errors. Does not require the KiCAD UI to be running.

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
schematicPath	string	Yes	Path to the .kicad_sch schematic file

Response fields: list of {"name": str, "x": float, "y": float, "type": "label" | "global_label"}.

find_orphaned_wires

Find wire segments with at least one dangling endpoint — not connected to a component pin, net label, or another wire. Orphaned wires cause ERC "wire end unconnected" errors. Does not require the KiCAD UI to be running.

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
schematicPath	string	Yes	Path to the .kicad_sch schematic file

Response fields:

Field	Description
orphaned_wires	List of {"start": {x,y}, "end": {x,y}, "dangling_ends": [{x,y}, ...]} (mm)
count	Total number of orphaned wire segments

snap_to_grid

Snap schematic element coordinates to the nearest grid point. KiCAD uses exact integer matching (10 000 IU/mm) internally, so even a sub-pixel offset makes wires appear connected visually while failing ERC. Run this before run_erc to eliminate that class of error. Modifies the .kicad_sch file in place. Does not require the KiCAD UI to be running.

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
schematicPath	string	Yes	Path to the .kicad_sch schematic file
gridSize	number	No	Grid spacing in mm (default: 2.54 — standard KiCAD schematic grid; use 1.27 for high-density)
elements	array<string>	No	Types to snap: "wires", "junctions", "labels", "components". Default: ["wires", "junctions", "labels"]. "components" is opt-in — moving a component without re-routing its wires creates new mismatches.

Response fields:

Field	Description
snapped	Number of elements that had at least one coordinate moved
already_on_grid	Number of elements already on the grid
grid_size	Grid spacing used (mm)

run_erc

Runs the KiCAD Electrical Rules Check (ERC) on a schematic and returns all violations. Use after wiring to verify the schematic before generating a netlist.

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
schematicPath	string	Yes	Path to the .kicad_sch schematic file

Usage Notes: Returns violations categorized by severity (error, warning, info) with location coordinates. Essential for catching design errors before PCB layout.

sync_schematic_to_board

Import the schematic netlist into the PCB board — equivalent to pressing F8 in KiCAD (Tools → Update PCB from Schematic). MUST be called after the schematic is complete and before placing or routing components on the PCB. Without this step, the board has no footprints and no net assignments — place_component and route_pad_to_pad will produce an empty, unroutable board.

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
schematicPath	string	Yes	Absolute path to the .kicad_sch schematic file
boardPath	string	Yes	Absolute path to the .kicad_pcb board file

Usage Notes: This is the F8 equivalent. It synchronizes the schematic design to the PCB, creating footprints on the board and assigning nets. This step is critical in the workflow: design in schematic → sync_schematic_to_board → place and route on PCB.

Example Workflows

Basic Circuit Design

1. Create project: Use create_schematic to initialize a new schematic file
2. Add components: Use add_schematic_component to place resistors, capacitors, ICs, etc.
   • Example: Add a resistor with symbol: "Device:R", reference: "R1", value: "10k"
3. Wire components: Use add_schematic_connection to connect component pins
   • Or use connect_to_net to connect pins to named nets (VCC, GND, etc.)
4. Add net labels: Use add_schematic_net_label to label important signals
5. Validate: Run run_erc to check for electrical rule violations
6. Review: Use list_schematic_components and get_schematic_view to verify the design
7. Sync to PCB: Use sync_schematic_to_board to transfer the design to the PCB layout

FFC Passthrough Adapter

1. Add connectors: Place two FFC connectors using add_schematic_component
   • Example: J1 and J2, both 20-pin FFC connectors
2. Connect passthrough: Use connect_passthrough with sourceRef: "J1", targetRef: "J2", netPrefix: "CSI"
   • This single call connects all 20 pins (J1.1 ↔ J2.1 via CSI_1, J1.2 ↔ J2.2 via CSI_2, etc.)
3. Sync to board: Use sync_schematic_to_board to create the PCB layout
4. Verify: Use list_schematic_nets to confirm all connections are correct

Source Files

The schematic tools are implemented across the following source files:

• TypeScript (Tool Definitions):

  • /home/chris/MCP/KiCAD-MCP-Server/src/tools/schematic.ts - All 27 schematic tool definitions with parameter schemas and handlers

• Python (Backend Implementation):

  • /home/chris/MCP/KiCAD-MCP-Server/python/commands/component_schematic.py - ComponentManager class (add, delete, edit, list components with dynamic symbol loading)
  • /home/chris/MCP/KiCAD-MCP-Server/python/commands/connection_schematic.py - ConnectionManager class (wiring, net labels, passthrough, netlist generation)
  • /home/chris/MCP/KiCAD-MCP-Server/python/commands/wire_manager.py - WireManager class (low-level wire manipulation)
  • /home/chris/MCP/KiCAD-MCP-Server/python/commands/pin_locator.py - PinLocator class (pin location lookup and angle calculation)
  • /home/chris/MCP/KiCAD-MCP-Server/python/commands/dynamic_symbol_loader.py - DynamicSymbolLoader class (runtime symbol loading from KiCad libraries)