operating-kicad-eda

name	operating-kicad-eda
description	KiCad EDA orchestration via kicad-mcp MCP server. Routes 17 tools for schematic creation, PCB layout, autorouting, DRC, and Gerber export. Enforces serialized PCB ops, library-first lookup, and autoroute-only routing.
user-invocable	true
argument-hint	<operation: schematic|pcb|route|drc|export|full-pipeline>
allowed-tools	Read, Bash

Operating KiCad EDA

判断先于执行：决定「是否做 / 选什么 / 如何取舍」（栈、方案、架构、权衡）前，先读领域判断内核 skills/_kernel/hardware/SKILL.md——它管 judgment，本秘典管 execution；冲突时以内核判断为准。

MCP tool router for KiCad 9. Never guess, never hand-route, never parallelize PCB writes.

When to use

Scenario	Use	Approach
Create schematic from design doc	Yes	schematic() operations
Generate PCB from schematic	Yes	build_pcb_from_schematic
Route a PCB	Yes	autoroute(operation="run") only
Fix DRC violations	Yes	drc(operation="autofix")
Export manufacturing files	Yes	export() Gerber/BOM/render
Hand-place a single trace	NO	LLM traces violate clearances

Iron rules

1. NEVER hand-route — pcb(add_trace/add_via) produces DRC-failing garbage. Use autoroute(operation="run").
2. NEVER guess names — footprint and symbol names change between KiCad versions. Always library(operation="search") first.
3. SERIALIZE PCB ops — MCP PCB tools do load/modify/save. Parallel calls corrupt the .kicad_pcb file.
4. VERIFY after changes — drc(operation="run") + audit(operation="all") before declaring done.

MCP tool routing table

Task	MCP Tool	Operation
Search parts	library	search
Create/edit schematic	schematic	create_symbol, add_wire, add_label
Build PCB from schematic	build_pcb_from_schematic	— (standalone)
Place footprints	pcb	place_footprint
Set board outline	pcb	set_board_outline
Add zones (copper pour)	pcb	add_zone
Auto-route	autoroute	run
Run DRC	drc	run
Auto-fix DRC	drc	autofix
Export Gerber	export	gerber
Export BOM	export	bom
3D render	export	render
Estimate board size	estimate_board_size	— (standalone)
Suggest placement	suggest_placement	— (standalone)
Full audit	audit	all

Standard pipeline

1. library(search) → find symbols and footprints
2. schematic(create_symbol) → place all components
3. schematic(add_wire/add_label) → connect nets
4. [Python] footprint injection script → fix kicad-cli lookup
5. build_pcb_from_schematic → initial PCB
6. pcb(set_board_outline) → product form factor
7. suggest_placement or pcb(place_footprint) → position components
8. autoroute(run) → FreeRouter
9. drc(run) → check
10. drc(autofix) → fix violations
11. pcb(add_zone) → GND copper pour both layers
12. export(gerber) → manufacturing files
13. export(render) → 3D views

References

Topic	File
KiCad 9 parse quirks	kicad9-quirks.md
DRC fix strategies	drc-strategies.md
Footprint injection	footprint-injection.md

Exit criteria

• ERC: 0 errors (warnings acceptable)
• DRC: 0 violations
• All nets routed (no unconnected)
• Gerber zip exportable