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KiCAD MCP Bot 119f1dfc16 feat: Extend IPC backend with 21 commands and hybrid footprint placement 
- Add IPC handlers for zone operations (add_copper_pour, refill_zones)
- Add IPC handlers for board operations (add_board_outline, add_mounting_hole, get_layer_list)
- Add IPC handlers for component operations (rotate_component, get_component_properties)
- Add IPC handlers for net operations (delete_trace, get_nets_list)
- Implement hybrid footprint placement (SWIG library loading + IPC placement)
- Extend create_schematic to handle filename, title, projectName params
- Update documentation for IPC backend status and known issues

🤖 Generated with [Claude Code](https://claude.com/claude-code)

Co-Authored-By: Claude <noreply@anthropic.com>
2025-12-03 08:48:37 -05:00

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KiCAD MCP - Current Status Summary

Date: 2025-12-02 Version: 2.1.0-alpha Phase: IPC Backend Implementation and Testing

Quick Stats

Metric Value Status
Core Features Working 18/20 90%
KiCAD 9.0 Compatible Yes Verified
UI Auto-launch Working Verified
Component Placement Working Verified
Component Libraries 153 libraries Verified
Routing Operations Working Verified
IPC Backend Under Testing Experimental
Tests Passing 18/20 90%

What's Working (Verified 2025-12-02)

Project Management

  • create_project - Create new KiCAD projects
  • open_project - Load existing PCB files
  • save_project - Save changes to disk
  • get_project_info - Retrieve project metadata

Board Design

  • set_board_size - Set dimensions (KiCAD 9.0 fixed)
  • add_board_outline - Rectangle, circle, polygon outlines
  • add_mounting_hole - Mounting holes with pads
  • add_board_text - Text annotations (KiCAD 9.0 fixed)
  • add_layer - Custom layer creation
  • set_active_layer - Layer switching
  • get_layer_list - List all layers

Component Operations

  • place_component - Place components with library footprints (KiCAD 9.0 fixed)
  • move_component - Move components
  • rotate_component - Rotate components (EDA_ANGLE fixed)
  • delete_component - Remove components
  • list_components - Get all components on board

Footprint Library Integration:

  • Auto-discovered 153 KiCAD footprint libraries
  • Search footprints by pattern (search_footprints)
  • List library contents (list_library_footprints)
  • Get footprint info (get_footprint_info)
  • Support for both Library:Footprint and Footprint formats

KiCAD 9.0 API Fixes:

  • SetOrientation() uses EDA_ANGLE(degrees, DEGREES_T)
  • GetOrientation() returns EDA_ANGLE, call .AsDegrees()
  • GetFootprintName() now GetFPIDAsString()

Routing Operations

  • add_net - Create electrical nets
  • route_trace - Add copper traces (KiCAD 9.0 fixed)
  • add_via - Add vias between layers (KiCAD 9.0 fixed)
  • add_copper_pour - Add copper zones/pours (KiCAD 9.0 fixed)
  • route_differential_pair - Differential pair routing

KiCAD 9.0 API Fixes:

  • netinfo.FindNet() now netinfo.NetsByName()[name]
  • zone.SetPriority() now zone.SetAssignedPriority()
  • ZONE_FILL_MODE_POLYGON now ZONE_FILL_MODE_POLYGONS
  • Zone outline requires outline.NewOutline() first

UI Management

  • check_kicad_ui - Detect running KiCAD
  • launch_kicad_ui - Auto-launch with project

Export

  • export_gerber - Manufacturing files
  • export_pdf - Documentation
  • export_svg - Vector graphics
  • export_3d - STEP/VRML models
  • export_bom - Bill of materials

Design Rules

  • set_design_rules - DRC configuration
  • get_design_rules - Rule inspection
  • run_drc - Design rule check

IPC Backend (Under Development)

We are currently implementing and testing the KiCAD 9.0 IPC API for real-time UI synchronization. This is experimental and may not work perfectly in all scenarios.

IPC-Capable Commands (21 total)

The following commands have IPC handlers implemented:

Command IPC Handler Notes
route_trace _ipc_route_trace Implemented
add_via _ipc_add_via Implemented
add_net _ipc_add_net Implemented
delete_trace _ipc_delete_trace Falls back to SWIG
get_nets_list _ipc_get_nets_list Implemented
add_copper_pour _ipc_add_copper_pour Implemented
refill_zones _ipc_refill_zones Implemented
add_text _ipc_add_text Implemented
add_board_text _ipc_add_text Implemented
set_board_size _ipc_set_board_size Implemented
get_board_info _ipc_get_board_info Implemented
add_board_outline _ipc_add_board_outline Implemented
add_mounting_hole _ipc_add_mounting_hole Implemented
get_layer_list _ipc_get_layer_list Implemented
place_component _ipc_place_component Hybrid (SWIG+IPC)
move_component _ipc_move_component Implemented
rotate_component _ipc_rotate_component Implemented
delete_component _ipc_delete_component Implemented
get_component_list _ipc_get_component_list Implemented
get_component_properties _ipc_get_component_properties Implemented
save_project _ipc_save_project Implemented

How IPC Works

When KiCAD is running with IPC enabled:

  1. Commands check if IPC is connected
  2. If connected, use IPC handler for real-time UI updates
  3. If not connected, fall back to SWIG API

To enable IPC:

  1. KiCAD 9.0+ must be running
  2. Enable IPC API: Preferences > Plugins > Enable IPC API Server
  3. Have a board open in the PCB editor

Known Limitations

  • KiCAD must be running for IPC to work
  • Some commands may not work as expected (still testing)
  • Footprint loading uses hybrid approach (SWIG for library, IPC for placement)
  • Delete trace falls back to SWIG (IPC API limitation)

What Needs Work

Minor Issues (NON-BLOCKING)

1. get_board_info layer constants

  • Error: AttributeError: 'BOARD' object has no attribute 'LT_USER'
  • Impact: Low (informational command only)
  • Workaround: Use get_project_info or read components directly

2. Zone filling via SWIG

  • Copper pours created but not filled automatically via SWIG
  • Cause: SWIG API segfault when calling ZONE_FILLER
  • Workaround: Use IPC backend or zones are filled when opened in KiCAD UI

3. UI manual reload (SWIG mode)

  • User must manually reload to see MCP changes when using SWIG
  • Impact: Workflow friction
  • Workaround: Use IPC backend for automatic updates

Architecture Status

SWIG Backend (File-based)

  • Status: Stable and functional
  • Pros: No KiCAD process required, works offline, reliable
  • Cons: Requires manual file reload for UI updates, no zone filling
  • Use Case: Offline work, automated pipelines, batch operations

IPC Backend (Real-time)

  • Status: Under active development and testing
  • Pros: Real-time UI updates, no file I/O for many operations, zone filling works
  • Cons: Requires KiCAD running, experimental
  • Use Case: Interactive design sessions, paired programming with AI

Hybrid Approach

The server automatically selects the best backend:

  • IPC when KiCAD is running with IPC enabled
  • SWIG fallback when IPC is unavailable

Feature Completion Matrix

Feature Category Status Details
Project Management 100% Create, open, save, info
Board Setup 100% Size, outline, mounting holes
Component Placement 100% Place, move, rotate, delete + 153 libraries
Routing 90% Traces, vias, copper (zone filling via IPC)
Design Rules 100% Set, get, run DRC
Export 100% Gerber, PDF, SVG, 3D, BOM
UI Integration 85% Launch, check, IPC auto-updates
IPC Backend 60% Under testing, 21 commands implemented
JLCPCB Integration 0% Planned

Developer Setup Status

Linux - Primary Platform

  • KiCAD 9.0 detection: Working
  • Process management: Working
  • venv support: Working
  • Library discovery: Working (153 libraries)
  • Testing: Working
  • IPC backend: Under testing

Windows - Supported

  • Automated setup script (setup-windows.ps1)
  • Process detection implemented
  • Library paths auto-detected
  • Comprehensive error diagnostics
  • Startup validation with helpful errors
  • Troubleshooting guide (WINDOWS_TROUBLESHOOTING.md)

macOS - Untested

  • Configuration provided
  • Process detection implemented
  • Library paths configured
  • Needs community testing

Documentation Status

Complete

  • README.md
  • ROADMAP.md
  • IPC_BACKEND_STATUS.md
  • IPC_API_MIGRATION_PLAN.md
  • REALTIME_WORKFLOW.md
  • LIBRARY_INTEGRATION.md
  • KNOWN_ISSUES.md
  • UI_AUTO_LAUNCH.md
  • VISUAL_FEEDBACK.md
  • CLIENT_CONFIGURATION.md
  • BUILD_AND_TEST_SESSION.md
  • STATUS_SUMMARY.md (this document)
  • WINDOWS_SETUP.md
  • WINDOWS_TROUBLESHOOTING.md

Needed

  • EXAMPLE_PROJECTS.md
  • CONTRIBUTING.md
  • API_REFERENCE.md

What's Next?

Immediate Priorities

  1. Complete IPC Testing - Verify all 21 IPC handlers work correctly
  2. Fix Edge Cases - Address any issues found during testing
  3. Improve Error Handling - Better fallback behavior

Planned Features

  • JLCPCB parts integration
  • Digikey API integration
  • Advanced routing algorithms
  • Smart BOM management
  • Design pattern library (Arduino shields, RPi HATs)

Getting Help

For Users:

  1. Check README.md for installation
  2. Review KNOWN_ISSUES.md for common problems
  3. Check logs: ~/.kicad-mcp/logs/kicad_interface.log

For Developers:

  1. Read BUILD_AND_TEST_SESSION.md
  2. Check ROADMAP.md for priorities
  3. Review IPC_BACKEND_STATUS.md for IPC details

Issues:

  • Open an issue on GitHub with OS, KiCAD version, and error details

Last Updated: 2025-12-02 Maintained by: KiCAD MCP Team