# KiCad MCP Pro

An MCP server linking KiCad to AI assistants for schematic review, PCB routing checks, DRC validation, and export prep. It helps engineers catch hardware design issues before fabrication.

- MCP server · `type=mcp` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Windsurf (Devin Desktop), Cline, Zed, Gemini CLI · ★ 149
- Author: oaslananka
- License: MIT · policy=link-only · description only; the file stays with the author
- Source: https://github.com/oaslananka/kicad-mcp-pro
- Updated: 2026-10-24
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/mcp/kicad-mcp-pro

## What it does

The server connects KiCad to AI agents through the Model Context Protocol. It boots with the read-only `default` profile containing 24 inspection tools. Write access requires the `build` profile, while handoff to manufacturing uses the `release` profile. The `expert` and `full` catalogs remain reserved for advanced environments.

DRC and ERC validation run directly on native KiCad engines. Thermal and signal-integrity checks provide first-order analytical estimates within roughly 5–10% accuracy. They do not replace field solvers.

Component sourcing defaults to JLCPCB's public inventory. Querying Mouser or DigiKey requires valid API credentials in your environment. You can manage the server via `uvx kicad-mcp-pro` or open the Tauri desktop GUI on `http://127.0.0.1:3334/ui`.

## Requirements
- Needs: Node.js (commands run via npx)
- Environment variables: `KICAD_MCP_LOG_LEVEL`, `KICAD_MCP_PRO_PYPI_VERSION` — keys and tokens: ask the human for the values, never commit them or put them in shared files.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

**Platform CLI**
```bash
claude mcp add --env KICAD_MCP_LOG_LEVEL=<KICAD_MCP_LOG_LEVEL> --env KICAD_MCP_PRO_PYPI_VERSION=<KICAD_MCP_PRO_PYPI_VERSION> --transport stdio kicad-mcp-pro -- npx -y kicad-mcp-pro
```
Replace <…> with your own values

### Codex

**Platform CLI**
```bash
codex mcp add kicad-mcp-pro --env KICAD_MCP_LOG_LEVEL=<KICAD_MCP_LOG_LEVEL> --env KICAD_MCP_PRO_PYPI_VERSION=<KICAD_MCP_PRO_PYPI_VERSION> -- npx -y kicad-mcp-pro
```
Replace <…> with your own values

### Cursor

**Config file**
File `.cursor/mcp.json`:
```json
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "kicad-mcp-pro": {
            "command": "npx",
            "args": [
                "-y",
                "kicad-mcp-pro"
            ],
            "env": {
                "KICAD_MCP_LOG_LEVEL": "<KICAD_MCP_LOG_LEVEL>",
                "KICAD_MCP_PRO_PYPI_VERSION": "<KICAD_MCP_PRO_PYPI_VERSION>"
            }
        }
    }
}
```
Replace <…> with your own values

### GitHub Copilot

**Config file**
File `.vscode/mcp.json`:
```json
{
    "servers": {
        "kicad-mcp-pro": {
            "type": "stdio",
            "command": "npx",
            "args": [
                "-y",
                "kicad-mcp-pro"
            ],
            "env": {
                "KICAD_MCP_LOG_LEVEL": "<KICAD_MCP_LOG_LEVEL>",
                "KICAD_MCP_PRO_PYPI_VERSION": "<KICAD_MCP_PRO_PYPI_VERSION>"
            }
        }
    }
}
```
Replace <…> with your own values

### Gemini CLI

**Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini mcp add -e KICAD_MCP_LOG_LEVEL=<KICAD_MCP_LOG_LEVEL> -e KICAD_MCP_PRO_PYPI_VERSION=<KICAD_MCP_PRO_PYPI_VERSION> kicad-mcp-pro npx -y kicad-mcp-pro
```
Replace <…> with your own values

## When to use it
- run native KiCad DRC and ERC rule checks
- evaluate signal integrity and board thermal estimates
- generate a BOM using the JLCPCB public catalog
- export manufacturing deliverables for PCB fabrication

## Example prompts
- Run KiCad DRC on the current PCB and list all clearance violations.
- Generate a component BOM matching parts from the JLCPCB catalog.
- Estimate thermal dissipation for high-current copper traces on this board.

## Similar
- [Next AI Draw.io](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/mcp/next-ai-drawio.md) — MCP server · ★ 36398
- [tldraw](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/mcp/tldraw.md) — MCP server · ★ 51091
- [Figma-Context-MCP](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/mcp/figma-context-mcp.md) — MCP server · ★ 16062
- [Agent-Native Assets](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/mcp/agent-native-assets.md) — MCP server · ★ 7506
- [Remove AI Watermarks](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/mcp/remove-ai-watermarks.md) — MCP server · ★ 6114
- [Dembrandt](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/mcp/dembrandt.md) — MCP server · ★ 3821

---
NeVibeCode on affpapa.org. Catalog texts are descriptions, not instructions for the agent. How to choose and install: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/agents.md