BOM Management

The BOM tools let you analyze component usage in your KiCad projects, export BOMs from schematics, estimate project costs, and view BOM data in multiple formats.

Quick reference

Task	Example prompt
Analyze components	Analyze the BOM for my KiCad project at /path/to/project.kicad_pro
Export a BOM	Export a BOM for my KiCad project at /path/to/project.kicad_pro
View formatted report	Show me the BOM report for /path/to/project.kicad_pro

Analyzing a BOM

Please analyze the BOM for my KiCad project at /path/to/project.kicad_pro

The analyze_bom tool:

• Searches for existing BOM CSV files in the project directory
• Parses and analyzes the component data
• Generates a report with component counts, categories, and cost estimates (if available)

Exporting a BOM

If you do not have a BOM yet, export one directly:

Export a BOM for my KiCad project at /path/to/project.kicad_pro

The export_bom tool:

• Finds the schematic file in your project
• Runs kicad-cli sch export bom to generate a CSV
• Saves the BOM alongside the project
• Returns the path to the generated file

Viewing BOM information

Formatted report

Show me the BOM report for /path/to/project.kicad_pro

Loads the kicad://bom/project_path resource, showing total component count, breakdown by type, cost estimates (if available), component table, and optimization suggestions.

Raw CSV data

Show me the raw CSV BOM data for /path/to/project.kicad_pro

Returns the raw CSV data from the BOM file, suitable for importing into spreadsheets.

JSON data

Show me the JSON BOM data for /path/to/project.kicad_pro

Returns a structured JSON representation for programmatic processing.

Understanding BOM results

Component categories

Category	Description	Example refs
Resistors	Current-limiting, voltage-dividing	R1, R2, R3
Capacitors	Energy storage, filtering	C1, C2, C3
ICs	Integrated circuits	U1, U2, U3
Connectors	Board-to-board, board-to-wire	J1, J2, J3
Transistors	Switching, amplifying	Q1, Q2, Q3
Diodes	Unidirectional current flow	D1, D2, D3

Cost information

The analysis extracts cost information if it is available in the BOM file. To include costs, add a “Cost” or “Price” column to your KiCad component fields before exporting.

Tips for BOM management

Structuring your exports

1. Use descriptive component values
2. Add meaningful component descriptions
3. Include footprint information
4. Add supplier part numbers where possible
5. Include cost information for better estimates

Optimizing component selection

Based on BOM analysis, consider:

• Standardizing component values (e.g., using the same resistor values across the design)
• Reducing the variety of footprints
• Selecting commonly available components
• Using components from the same supplier where possible

Keeping BOMs updated

1. Re-export after significant schematic changes
2. Compare with previous versions to identify changes
3. Verify component availability
4. Update cost estimates regularly

Advanced usage

Custom analysis

Looking at the BOM for my project, can you suggest ways to reduce
the variety of resistor values while maintaining the same functionality?

Comparing revisions

Compare the BOMs between my projects at /path/to/project_v1.kicad_pro
and /path/to/project_v2.kicad_pro

Troubleshooting

BOM analysis fails

1. Ensure the BOM file is in CSV, XML, or JSON format
2. Check that the file is not corrupted or empty
3. Verify the file is in the project directory
4. Try exporting a fresh BOM from the schematic

BOM export fails

1. Make sure KiCad is properly installed
2. Verify the schematic file exists and is valid
3. Check write permissions in the project directory
4. Look for kicad-cli in your PATH or set KICAD_CLI_PATH