KiCAD MCP is an implementation of the Model Context Protocol that facilitates natural language control of KiCAD PCB and schematic design through AI models, streamlining PCB development workflows.
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Created by:
Apr 27 2025
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What is KiCAD MCP?
KiCAD MCP allows large language models such as Claude to communicate with KiCAD for designing printed circuit boards and schematics via natural language commands. It provides comprehensive tools for creating projects, schematics, and boards, placing components, routing traces, and exporting files in various formats. The system architecture includes a TypeScript MCP server that manages communications and a Python interface that performs actual KiCAD operations, organized into modular components for maintainability. This setup enables AI-driven PCB design, significantly reducing manual effort and increasing productivity by supporting tasks like schematic creation, component placement, routing, and design rule checks through plain English requests.
Who will use KiCAD MCP?
- Electrical engineers
- PCB designers
- Embedded system developers
- Prototyping engineers
- Academic researchers in electronics
How to use the KiCAD MCP?
- Step 1: Install KiCAD 9.0 and required dependencies
- Step 2: Clone the KiCAD MCP repository and build the project
- Step 3: Configure the Cline extension in VSCode with system paths
- Step 4: Launch VSCode, start a conversation with Claude, and request PCB or schematic tasks
- Step 5: Use natural language commands to create projects, add components, route traces, and export outputs
KiCAD MCP's Core Features & Benefits
The Core Features
- Create and manage KiCAD projects and schematics
- Add and connect electronic components
- Route PCB traces and manage nets
- Set design rules and perform DRC
- Export Gerber, PDF, SVG, and 3D models
The Benefits
- Leverages AI to simplify complex PCB design workflows
- Reduces manual tasks with natural language commands
- Enables fast prototyping and iteration
- Supports detailed project management and customization
- Integrates seamlessly with KiCAD and AI tools
KiCAD MCP's Main Use Cases & Applications
- Automated PCB schematic and layout generation from textual descriptions
- Rapid prototyping for electronic circuits using AI commands
- Research projects requiring consistent PCB design workflows
- Educational tools for teaching PCB design and automation
- Industrial automation for PCB manufacturing preparation
FAQs of KiCAD MCP
Developer
- mixelpixx