⚡ KiCad MCP

🔧 Automate PCB design • 🤖 AI-powered workflows • 🚀 Natural language commands

✨ What It Does

Control KiCad PCB design software through natural language via Claude Desktop:

Related MCP server: kicad-jlcpcb

🚀 Quick Setup

📋 Prerequisites

• Node.js >= 18.0.0

• KiCad 8.x installed on your system

• Claude Desktop app

📥 Installation

npm install -g @spark-apps/kicad-mcp

⚙️ Configure Claude Desktop

1. Open Claude Desktop settings and locate the MCP configuration file:

   • macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json

   • Windows: %APPDATA%/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json

   • Linux: ~/.config/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json

2. Add KiCad MCP server to the configuration:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "kicad-mcp": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@spark-apps/kicad-mcp"]
    }
  }
}

3. Restart Claude Desktop

4. Verify installation: Look for the 🔌 icon in Claude Desktop. Click it to see "kicad-mcp" listed as a connected server.

🛠️ Available Tools

💬 Example Commands in Claude Desktop

"Create a new 4-layer PCB project for ESP32 development"

"Initialize a simple Arduino shield project"

"List available project templates"

"Create a basic 2-layer PCB called 'my-sensor-board'"

Available Templates:

• basic - Simple 2-layer PCB

• esp32-dev - 4-layer ESP32 dev board with USB-C

• arduino-shield - 2-layer Arduino-compatible shield

• power-supply - 2-layer power supply board

"Run DRC checks on my current board and fix all errors"

"Check for electrical rule violations in the schematic"

"Export Gerber files for JLCPCB fabrication"

"Generate a complete BOM with supplier links"

"Create a 3D STEP model for mechanical verification"

"Auto-route all remaining traces on the power supply section"

"Estimate production cost for 100 units via JLCPCB"

"Optimize component placement for thermal management"

🔧 Using with KiCad

Workflow Integration

1. Open your KiCad project in KiCad software

2. Open Claude Desktop alongside KiCad

3. Ask Claude to automate tasks using natural language

4. Review results in KiCad and iterate

Supported KiCad Versions

• KiCad 8.x (recommended)

• KiCad 7.x (limited support)

Important Notes

⚠️ Current Status: This MCP server uses a mock implementation for development. Real KiCad integration requires KiCad's IPC protocol implementation (coming soon).

✅ What Works Now:

• Project creation with templates and natural language prompts

• Template selection (basic, esp32-dev, arduino-shield, power-supply)

• Project metadata injection (author, description, tags, version)

• Command interface and workflow testing

• All tool signatures and parameter validation

• Integration with Claude Desktop

• Mock KiCad client for development/testing

🔄 Coming Soon:

• Real KiCad IPC integration

• Live project synchronization

• Advanced AI-powered routing

• Supplier API integration for BOMs

🐛 Troubleshooting

MCP Server Not Showing in Claude Desktop

1. Verify Node.js is installed: node --version

2. Check configuration file path is correct

3. Ensure JSON syntax is valid (use a JSON validator)

4. Restart Claude Desktop completely

Commands Not Working

1. Ensure KiCad is installed and accessible

2. Check project paths are correct

3. Verify file permissions for project directories

Need Help?

• 📖 Documentation

• 🐛 Report Bug

• 💬 Discussions

📝 License

MIT © Muammar Yacoob

🌟 Support

If you find this MCP server helpful:

• ⭐ Star the repository

• 💖 Sponsor the project

• 🐛 Report bugs and suggest features

Built with ❤️ for the KiCad and AI automation community