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mckicad

Introduction

mckicad is an MCP (Model Context Protocol) server that gives AI assistants direct access to KiCad electronic design automation. Rather than describing what you want and translating instructions manually, you talk to an AI and it manipulates your schematics, runs checks, generates manufacturing files, and routes your boards.

The server connects to KiCad through two complementary interfaces:

  • kicad-cli for batch operations — schematic creation, BOM export, DRC checks, Gerber generation, and netlist export. No running KiCad instance required.
  • KiCad IPC API (via kipy) for live interaction — real-time board analysis, component placement, zone refills, and connectivity monitoring while KiCad is open.

Tools degrade gracefully: if KiCad is not running, IPC-dependent tools report that clearly while CLI-based tools continue working.

What it can do

Section titled “What it can do”

Schematic creation and editing — Create schematics from scratch, place components from KiCad’s symbol libraries, wire them together with direct wires or net labels, add power symbols, hierarchical sheets, and title blocks. The batch system applies hundreds of operations atomically in a single load-save cycle.

Autowiring — Analyze unconnected nets and automatically select the best wiring strategy (direct wire, local label, global label, power symbol, or no-connect flag) based on distance, fanout, crossing estimation, and net name patterns.

Schematic patterns — Place common circuit building blocks (decoupling cap banks, pull resistors, crystal oscillator circuits) with a single tool call. Components, wires, labels, and power symbols are positioned using established layout conventions.

Design rule checks — Run DRC on PCB layouts via kicad-cli with progress tracking and violation categorization. Generate technology-specific rule sets for standard, HDI, RF, or automotive designs.

BOM management — Analyze and export Bills of Materials. Get component counts, category breakdowns, and cost estimates from existing BOM CSVs or generate fresh ones from schematics.

Export and manufacturing — Generate Gerber files, drill files, PDFs, and SVGs for your boards. Everything goes through kicad-cli with proper layer selection and output directory organization.

Autorouting — Route PCBs automatically via FreeRouting integration with configurable strategies (conservative, balanced, aggressive) and technology profiles.

Board analysis — Live board statistics, connectivity monitoring, component detail inspection, and routing quality analysis through the IPC API.

Netlist import — Convert external netlist formats (KiCad S-expression, OrcadPCB2, Cadence Allegro) into mckicad batch JSON for schematic generation from existing designs.

Quick example

Section titled “Quick example”
"Create a new KiCad project for an LED blinker circuit with an ATtiny85,
a 100nF decoupling cap, and two LEDs with current-limiting resistors.
Wire everything up and run ERC to check for issues."

The AI will use create_schematic, apply_batch (to place components, wires, labels, and power symbols), and validate_schematic to build and verify the design — all without you touching the KiCad GUI.

Next steps

Section titled “Next steps”