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Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>
2026-03-29 13:05:50 +01:00

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

For Contributors:

  1. Read CONTRIBUTING.md for development setup
  2. Check ARCHITECTURE.md for system design
  3. Review the Documentation Index for all available docs

Issues:

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

Last Updated: 2026-03-21