Free-text search of the JLCPCB/LCSC parts catalog. Use for ICs, connectors, LEDs, diodes, or any part by keyword, value+package text, or manufacturer part number (e.g. "AMS1117-3.3", "10k 0603", "USB-C 16pin"). For resistors/capacitors by exact value prefer search_passives. Tier semantics: basic = pre-loaded at JLCPCB, no loading fee; preferred = Preferred Extended, $3 loading fee waived (Economic PCBA); extended = one-time $3 loading fee per unique part per order.

Parametric JLCPCB search for chip resistors or capacitors by value. Parses the value string ("10k", "4k7", "0.1R", "100nF", "4u7", "10p") into ohms/farads and searches by exact spec, optionally filtered by package (0402/0603/0805...). Prefer this over search_parts for R/C BOM lines — it avoids fuzzy text matches. Results are ordered by the client; prefer basic-tier (no loading fee) parts with deep stock.

Look up a single part by LCSC number (e.g. "C25804") and return full detail: assembly tier (basic = no loading fee, preferred = $3 fee waived, extended = one-time $3 loading fee per unique part), live stock, quantity price breaks, parsed attributes (resistance, tolerance, voltage...), and product URL. Use to verify a candidate part before committing it to a BOM.

Given an LCSC part number, find ranked drop-in alternatives with matching specs and package — useful when a part is out of stock, extended-tier (carries the $3 loading fee), or expensive. The original part is excluded from results. Ranking prefers basic/preferred tier (no loading fee), deep stock relative to need, and lower price; each alternative carries reasons and warnings.

Parse a KiCad schematic (.kicad_sch, KiCad 6-9) or a KiCad BOM CSV export (.csv) and return grouped BOM lines: references, quantity per board, value, JLC-style package derived from the footprint, component class, any pre-assigned LCSC part numbers, and DNP flags. Hierarchical sheets are followed automatically: sheet files referenced by the schematic are resolved relative to it, parsed recursively (each file once), and merged into the BOM; missing sheet files are skipped with a warning. Power symbols and #-references are excluded. Run this first to understand a design, then pass the same path to suggest_bom_parts for part suggestions.

Fetch an LCSC part's KiCad symbol, footprint, and 3D model (STEP + WRL) and add them to a KiCad project's libraries, registering them in the project's sym/fp-lib-table so the part is immediately usable. Reuses the kicad-lcsc-manager engine (github.com/hulryung/kicad-lcsc-manager) — install it or set KICAD_LCSC_MANAGER if missing. Requires python3. Run after picking parts with suggest_bom_parts / find_alternatives to make them usable in the schematic.

Suggest concrete JLCPCB parts for a whole BOM with assembly-cost awareness. Input EITHER 'path' (a .kicad_sch schematic or KiCad BOM .csv) OR 'bom_lines' (inline rows) — exactly one. Each line gets ranked candidates with reasons/warnings and a status: matched, needs_review (verify manually — e.g. IC matched only by fuzzy text), no_match, preassigned (schematic already carries an LCSC number), or skipped_dnp. Also returns a cost breakdown: component cost at price breaks plus one-time $3 loading fee per unique extended-tier part (basic and preferred parts are fee-free). Ranking prefers basic tier, deep stock vs. needed qty (board_qty × qty × stock_multiple), and lower price.

Estimate the parts side of a JLCPCB assembly order for a chosen set of LCSC parts: component cost using quantity price breaks (at qty = board_qty × qty_per_board) plus one-time loading fees — $3 per unique extended-tier part; basic and preferred (Preferred Extended) parts carry no fee. Does not include PCB fabrication or per-joint assembly charges. Use after finalizing part picks from suggest_bom_parts / find_alternatives.