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Add Prettier as a dev dependency with .prettierrc.json config and .prettierignore. Hook added via mirrors-prettier in pre-commit config. All TypeScript, JSON, Markdown, and YAML files auto-formatted. Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>
312 lines
6.8 KiB
Markdown
312 lines
6.8 KiB
Markdown
# End-to-End PCB Design Workflow
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This guide walks through the complete PCB design process using the KiCAD MCP Server, from project creation to manufacturing-ready output.
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---
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## Overview
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A typical PCB design follows this flow:
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```
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Project Setup -> Schematic Design -> PCB Layout -> Verification -> Manufacturing Output
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```
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Each stage maps to specific MCP tools. You can ask your AI assistant to perform any of these steps using natural language.
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---
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## Stage 1: Project Setup
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### Create a New Project
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```
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Create a new KiCAD project named "LEDBoard" in ~/Projects/
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```
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This uses `create_project` to generate:
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- `.kicad_pro` -- project file
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- `.kicad_pcb` -- PCB layout file
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- `.kicad_sch` -- schematic file (with template symbols pre-loaded)
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### Set Up the Board
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```
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Set the board size to 50mm x 50mm.
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Add a rectangular board outline.
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Add mounting holes at each corner, 3mm from the edges, 3mm diameter.
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```
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**Tools used:** `set_board_size`, `add_board_outline`, `add_mounting_hole`
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---
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## Stage 2: Schematic Design
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### Place Components
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```
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Add an LED from the Device library to the schematic at position 100, 50.
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Add a 1K resistor at position 100, 70.
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Add a connector from the Connector_Generic library with 2 pins at position 60, 60.
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```
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**Tool:** `add_schematic_component`
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The dynamic symbol loader provides access to all ~10,000 KiCad standard symbols. Specify any library and symbol name.
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### Wire Components
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```
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Connect R1 pin 2 to LED1 pin 1.
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Add a net label "VCC" at position 60, 50.
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Connect J1 pin 1 to the VCC net.
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Connect LED1 pin 2 to GND.
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```
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**Tools:** `add_schematic_connection`, `add_schematic_net_label`, `connect_to_net`
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### FFC/Ribbon Cable Passthrough (Special Workflow)
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For passthrough adapter boards (e.g., Raspberry Pi CSI adapters):
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```
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Connect all pins from J1 to J2 as a passthrough with net prefix "CSI_".
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```
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**Tool:** `connect_passthrough` -- automatically wires matching pins between two connectors
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### Annotate and Validate
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```
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Annotate the schematic to assign reference designators.
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Run an electrical rule check.
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```
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**Tools:** `annotate_schematic`, `run_erc`
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### Preview the Schematic
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```
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Show me the schematic as an image.
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Export the schematic to PDF.
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```
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**Tools:** `get_schematic_view`, `export_schematic_pdf`
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---
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## Stage 3: PCB Layout
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### Synchronize Schematic to PCB
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Sync the schematic to the board.
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```
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**Tool:** `sync_schematic_to_board` -- imports all component footprints and net assignments from the schematic into the PCB (equivalent to pressing F8 in KiCAD)
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### Place Components
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```
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Move R1 to position x=15, y=25.
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Move LED1 to position x=25, y=25.
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Align all resistors horizontally.
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```
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**Tools:** `move_component`, `align_components`
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### Route Traces
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**Preferred approach -- pad-to-pad routing:**
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```
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Route R1 pad 2 to LED1 pad 1 with 0.3mm trace width.
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```
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**Tool:** `route_pad_to_pad` -- auto-detects pad positions, nets, and inserts vias when pads are on different layers
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**Manual approach:**
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```
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Route a trace from x=15, y=25 to x=25, y=25 on the front copper layer.
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```
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**Tool:** `route_trace`
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### Advanced Routing
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**Differential pairs:**
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```
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Route a differential pair for USB_P and USB_N with 0.2mm width and 0.15mm gap.
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```
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**Copper zones:**
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```
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Add a GND copper pour on the bottom layer covering the entire board.
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```
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**Tools:** `route_differential_pair`, `add_copper_pour`
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### Autorouting
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For boards with many connections:
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```
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Check if Freerouting is available.
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Autoroute the board using Freerouting.
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```
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**Tools:** `check_freerouting`, `autoroute`
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See [Freerouting Guide](FREEROUTING_GUIDE.md) for setup details.
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---
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## Stage 4: Verification
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### Design Rule Check
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```
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Set design rules with 0.15mm clearance and 0.2mm minimum track width.
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Run the design rule check.
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Show me all DRC violations.
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```
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**Tools:** `set_design_rules`, `run_drc`, `get_drc_violations`
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### Visual Inspection
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```
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Show me a 2D view of the board.
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```
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**Tool:** `get_board_2d_view`
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### Save a Checkpoint
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```
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Save a snapshot named "post-routing" with label "All traces routed, DRC clean".
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```
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**Tool:** `snapshot_project`
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---
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## Stage 5: Manufacturing Output
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### Gerber Files
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```
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Export Gerber files to the fabrication folder.
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```
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**Tool:** `export_gerber`
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### Bill of Materials
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```
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Export BOM as CSV.
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```
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**Tool:** `export_bom` (supports CSV, XML, HTML, JSON)
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### Pick and Place
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```
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Export the component position file.
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```
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**Tool:** `export_position_file`
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### 3D Preview
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```
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Export a 3D STEP model of the board.
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```
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**Tool:** `export_3d` (supports STEP, STL, VRML, OBJ)
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### Documentation
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```
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Export a PDF of the board layout.
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Export an SVG of the board.
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```
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**Tools:** `export_pdf`, `export_svg`
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---
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## Optional: JLCPCB Component Selection
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Before placing components, you can search JLCPCB's catalog for optimal parts:
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```
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Search JLCPCB for 10K resistors in 0603 package, Basic parts only.
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Show me the cheapest option with good stock.
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Suggest alternatives to part C25804.
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```
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After selecting parts, enrich datasheets:
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```
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Enrich datasheets for all components in the schematic.
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```
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**Tools:** `search_jlcpcb_parts`, `get_jlcpcb_part`, `suggest_jlcpcb_alternatives`, `enrich_datasheets`
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See [JLCPCB Integration](JLCPCB_INTEGRATION.md) for details.
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---
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## Optional: Custom Components
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When existing libraries do not have the part you need:
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```
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Create a custom footprint for a 4-pin SOT-23 package.
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Create a custom symbol for the XYZ IC with 8 pins.
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Register the custom library so it can be used in the project.
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```
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**Tools:** `create_footprint`, `create_symbol`, `register_footprint_library`, `register_symbol_library`
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See [Footprint and Symbol Creator Guide](FOOTPRINT_SYMBOL_CREATOR_GUIDE.md) for details.
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---
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## Optional: Add a Logo
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```
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Import our company logo from ~/logos/logo.svg onto the front silkscreen at position x=25 y=45 with width 10mm.
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```
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**Tool:** `import_svg_logo`
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See [SVG Import Guide](SVG_IMPORT_GUIDE.md) for requirements and tips.
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---
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## Tips
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- **Save frequently** -- use `save_project` after major changes
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- **Use snapshots** -- `snapshot_project` creates named checkpoints you can return to
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- **Validate early** -- run ERC after schematic changes and DRC after routing
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- **Start with schematic** -- always design the schematic first, then sync to PCB
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- **Use route_pad_to_pad** -- it is faster and more reliable than manual XY coordinate routing
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- **Check the KiCAD UI** -- use `launch_kicad_ui` to open the design for visual verification
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---
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## Related Documentation
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- [Tool Inventory](TOOL_INVENTORY.md) -- complete list of all 122 tools
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- [Schematic Tools Reference](SCHEMATIC_TOOLS_REFERENCE.md) -- detailed schematic tool docs
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- [Routing Tools Reference](ROUTING_TOOLS_REFERENCE.md) -- detailed routing tool docs
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- [Freerouting Guide](FREEROUTING_GUIDE.md) -- autorouter setup and usage
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- [JLCPCB Integration](JLCPCB_INTEGRATION.md) -- parts selection and cost optimization
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