operating-kicad-eda

# 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](references/kicad9-quirks.md) | | DRC fix strategies | [drc-strategies.md](references/drc-strategies.md) | | Footprint injection | [footprint-injection.md](references/footprint-injection.md) | ## Exit criteria - [ ] ERC: 0 errors (warnings acceptable) - [ ] DRC: 0 violations - [ ] All nets routed (no unconnected) - [ ] Gerber zip exportable