DipTrace MCP

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DipTrace MCP is a local Model Context Protocol server for reading, analysing, reviewing, and performing guarded edits on DipTrace PCB and schematic projects. It consists of:

• diptrace-mcp, the MCP server used by Codex, Claude Desktop, and other MCP clients;

• diptrace_mcp_bridge.exe, the Windows plug-in bridge for projects currently open in DipTrace.

Current status

Version 0.2.1 is the current distribution line. It is prepared as an explicitly unsigned alpha/development release with:

• the Python package diptrace-mcp==0.2.1 for PyPI;

• DipTrace-MCP-Setup-0.2.1.exe;

• DipTrace-MCP-Portable-0.2.1.zip;

• DipTrace-MCP-0.2.1-windows.mcpb;

• wheel, source distribution, checksums, SBOM, dependency, notice, provenance, and release records.

The previous v0.2.0 release remains immutable. Existing tags and files are never replaced.

The Windows executables are unsigned. CI, SHA-256, PyPI Trusted Publishing, and package attestations establish tested behaviour, byte identity, and publication provenance. They do not create a trusted Authenticode signature, universal compatibility, independent review, or production readiness.

Related MCP server: kicad-mcp

Public Release Status

The project uses the OSI-approved Apache-2.0 open-source LICENSE. Participation and release controls are documented in CONTRIBUTING.md, GOVERNANCE.md, docs/LICENSE_DECISION.md, docs/PUBLIC_RELEASE_CHECKLIST.md, docs/RELEASE_PROCESS.md, CHANGELOG.md, and CITATION.cff. Security reports use the private security channel; a verified Code of Conduct enforcement channel is not yet published.

• Python archives are built from an exact allowlist and audited for entry points, packaged skills, bounds, metadata, and every RECORD hash and size.

• PyPI publication uses GitHub OpenID Connect and a protected pypi environment; no long-lived PyPI API token is stored.

• The PyPI publish job receives only the already validated wheel and source distribution from the separate build job.

• Windows installer, bridge, standalone executable, configurator, portable bundle, and MCPB remain unsigned development assets.

• CI, checksums, Trusted Publishing, and attestations do not create a code-signing or production-readiness claim.

What it provides

The public MCP surface contains 159 registered tools, 157 public DipTraceService methods, and 148 explicit Facade-to-domain-service delegations. Runtime get_capabilities remains authoritative for the active installation and document.

Main capability groups:

• PCB, schematic, Component Library, and Pattern Library reading and modelling;

• structured DRC/ERC, connectivity, BOM, assembly, DFM/DFA/DFT, comparison, and signal-integrity assistance;

• guarded component, schematic, NetClass, text, trace, via, panelisation, placement, routing, and synchronisation workflows;

• preview, expected SHA-256, policy, backup, atomic replace, rollback, and live-session apply/cancel boundaries;

• optional Freerouting, ngspice, and openEMS process adapters;

• local stdio and trusted-loopback Streamable HTTP transports.

DipTrace MCP is not a replacement for DipTrace's interactive EDA engine. It does not claim native Component/Pattern Library mutation, native Gerber/NC Drill generation, fabrication sign-off, Novarm/DipTrace endorsement, or universal DipTrace 5.x compatibility.

Installation

PyPI

Python 3.10 or newer is required:

python -m pip install diptrace-mcp==0.2.1
diptrace-mcp --help

The PyPI package installs the Python MCP server and packaged skills. It does not install the Windows DipTrace bridge plug-in automatically.

Windows installer

1. Download DipTrace-MCP-Setup-0.2.1.exe and SHA256SUMS.txt from the same v0.2.1 GitHub Release.

2. Verify the SHA-256 value.

3. Run the installer and select the DipTrace location, workspace, state directory, and optional Codex/Claude configuration.

4. Restart DipTrace and the MCP client.

5. Call get_capabilities.

Windows may show a SmartScreen warning because the binaries are unsigned.

Portable Windows bundle

Download and verify DipTrace-MCP-Portable-0.2.1.zip, extract it to a stable location, read its README_FIRST.txt, and use the included helper tools.

Python source installation

git clone https://github.com/fireostendere/mcp_diptrace.git
cd mcp_diptrace
python -m venv .venv
. .venv/bin/activate
python -m pip install -e .
diptrace-mcp --help

See installation from release assets for the complete path.

MCPB, Registry, and Smithery

Version 0.2.1 adds the immutable distribution route prepared after v0.2.0:

• deterministic Windows MCPB packaging;

• canonical Registry identity io.github.fireostendere/diptrace-mcp;

• official Registry server.json generation from a public MCPB URL and verified SHA-256;

• Smithery publication from the same public MCPB;

• PyPI Trusted Publishing for the Python server.

The MCPB contains the self-contained Windows stdio server. It does not silently install the DipTrace bridge plug-in. Live exchange requires the matching bridge and settings from the same GitHub release.

See MCP distribution and package publication.

Architecture

MCP client (Codex / Claude / other)
                 |
                 | stdio or trusted loopback HTTP
                 v
             FastMCP
                 |
                 v
     DipTraceService public Facade
                 |
                 +--> typed domain services
                 +--> shared stores, policy, cache, document gateway
                 |
                 v
       XML files / shared state
                 ^
                 |
       diptrace_mcp_bridge.exe
                 ^
                 |
              DipTrace

Safety model

The main write invariants are:

1. paths remain inside configured allowed roots;

2. XML is bounded and parsed before mutation;

3. previews and commits are bound to exact SHA-256 values;

4. existing targets are backed up;

5. writes use temporary files and atomic replacement;

6. policy and conservative write-impact limits are enforced;

7. live apply rechecks the working, exchange, and original-file identities;

8. cancel leaves the host exchange file unchanged;

9. user-controlled sidecars cannot mint high trust.

Q1 Component Angle GUI/re-export validation remains NOT_RUN, and several real Windows/DipTrace/client acceptance items remain disclosed limitations.

Data Handling

• DIPTRACE_MCP_WORKSPACE selects the ordinary workspace; caller paths remain subject to DIPTRACE_MCP_ALLOWED_ROOTS and literal path checks.

• DIPTRACE_MCP_STATE_DIR stores local records plus live-session original.xml and working.xml; explicit apply or cancel controls finalisation.

• Freerouting, ngspice, and openEMS run only through typed local process boundaries and isolated job directories; online sourcing is disabled by default.

• MCP stdio keeps traffic on local process pipes and does not create a network listener.

• streamable-http is intended only for trusted loopback use, for example 127.0.0.1:8765; OAuth and multi-user isolation are not implemented.

• User projects, private evidence, proprietary libraries, and screenshots are not uploaded or committed automatically; the operator controls external data and publication.

Documentation

• Usage

• MCP tools and resources

• Architecture

• MCP distribution and package publication

• Windows and Python installation

• Testing

• Roadmap

• Security and policy

• Transactions

• Release process

• v0.2.1 release checklist

• v0.2.1 release record

Contributing, security, and license

Contributions use DCO 1.1 and the provenance/privacy rules in CONTRIBUTING.md. Report suspected vulnerabilities through the private channel in SECURITY.md, not public issues.

Apache License 2.0. See LICENSE.