AI导哈

PCB布线服务器

一个通过MCP协议使AI代理能够在KiCad中执行PCB布线的服务器。

  • by NiRuLabs
  • Python
  • 本地部署
  • 5 星标
  • 更新于
在 GitHub 查看 NiRuLaboratories/kicad-mcp-server

使用说明

KiCad MCP Server

An MCP (Model Context Protocol) server that enables AI agents to perform PCB routing in KiCad.

Demo

Overview

This server exposes KiCad's PCB editing capabilities to AI agents via the MCP protocol.

PCB Layout Features

  • Query board state (nets, pads, tracks, vias)
  • Get design rules (clearances, track widths)
  • Place tracks and vias
  • Pathfinding with obstacle avoidance
  • Delete routing elements
  • Use transactions for batched changes

Schematic Capture (Experimental)

Schematic capture tools exist in the codebase but are still being commissioned and are hidden by default. To try them, set the environment variable KICAD_MCP_ENABLE_SCHEMATIC=1 before launching the server. Expect rough edges until this is marked stable.

Architecture

AI Agent <--MCP--> MCP Server <--IPC API (protobuf)--> KiCad

The MCP server communicates with KiCad using its IPC API (Protocol Buffers over named pipes on Windows, Unix sockets on Linux/Mac).

Requirements

  • Python 3.10+
  • KiCad 8.0+ with IPC API enabled
  • Windows: pywin32 package

Installation

Prebuilt Installer (recommended)

A prebuilt Windows installer is available at https://nirulabs.co.za — the easiest way to get up and running without setting up a Python environment.

From source

cd kicad-mcp-server

# Install in development mode
pip install -e .

# On Windows, also install pywin32
pip install pywin32

Setup KiCad

  1. Open KiCad
  2. Go to Preferences > Preferences > API
  3. Enable the API
  4. Copy the API Token (you'll need this to connect)
  5. Open a PCB file

Test Connection

Before using with an AI agent, test the connection:

python scripts/test_connection.py <your-api-token>

Usage with Claude Desktop

Add to your Claude Desktop config (%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json on Windows):

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "kicad": {
      "command": "python",
      "args": ["-m", "kicad_mcp.server"],
      "cwd": "/path/to/kicad-mcp-server/src"
    }
  }
}

Available Tools

Connection & General

Tool Description
connect_to_kicad Connect to a running KiCad instance (required first)
get_kicad_version Get KiCad version info
begin_commit Start a transaction
end_commit Commit or drop a transaction

PCB Layout Tools

Tool Description
get_nets List all nets on the board
get_layers Get board layer information
get_tracks Get existing tracks (optionally by net)
get_vias Get existing vias (optionally by net)
get_pads Get all pads with positions, net assignments, and footprint references
get_ratsnest Get unrouted connections showing which pads need to be connected
get_design_rules Get design rules (clearances, track widths, via sizes) per net class
check_clearance Check if a point/track would violate clearance rules
find_path Find a collision-free path between two points using A*
suggest_route Suggest a route between two pads by reference
get_obstacles Get all obstacles on a layer for routing
place_track Create a track segment
place_via Create a via
delete_item Remove a track or via

Schematic Capture Tools (Experimental — hidden by default)

These tools are under active development. Enable them by setting KICAD_MCP_ENABLE_SCHEMATIC=1 in the server's environment.

Tool Description
get_schematic_wires Get all wire segments in the schematic
get_schematic_labels Get all labels (local, global, hierarchical, directive)
get_schematic_symbols Get all symbols (components) in the schematic
get_schematic_sheets Get all hierarchical sheets
get_schematic_junctions Get all wire junctions
get_schematic_no_connects Get all no-connect symbols
draw_schematic_wire Draw a wire segment between two points
add_schematic_label Add a label (net name) to the schematic
add_schematic_symbol Add a symbol using s-expression format
delete_schematic_item Remove a schematic element by ID

Example: AI Routing Session

User: Connect to KiCad and show me the nets

AI: [calls connect_to_kicad with token]
    [calls get_nets]

    Found 15 nets:
    - GND (code: 1)
    - VCC (code: 2)
    - NET1 (code: 3)
    ...

User: Route a track from (10, 20) to (30, 20) on the front copper layer for net GND

AI: [calls place_track with start=(10,20), end=(30,20), layer="F.Cu", net_code=1]

    Created track with ID: abc123-...

Development

Recompile Protobufs

If KiCad's API changes:

pip install grpcio-tools
python scripts/compile_protos.py

Project Structure

kicad-mcp-server/
├── pyproject.toml
├── README.md
├── scripts/
│   ├── compile_protos.py
│   └── test_connection.py
├── src/kicad_mcp/
│   ├── __init__.py
│   ├── server.py          # MCP server entry point
│   ├── ipc_client.py      # KiCad IPC API client
│   ├── tools.py           # MCP tool definitions
│   └── proto/             # Generated protobuf modules
│       ├── board/
│       ├── common/
│       └── schematic/
└── tests/

Current Limitations

PCB Layout

  • No Push & Shove: The AI must calculate collision-free paths itself
  • No Real-time DRC: Must query obstacles and design rules manually

Schematic Capture

  • Limited Symbol Creation: Symbols must be created using s-expression format (similar to .kicad_sch file format)
  • No Symbol Library Access: Cannot browse or search symbol libraries directly
  • Limited Property Access: Some symbol properties may not be fully accessible via the API

Completed Improvements

  • [x] Add get_pads tool for pad positions
  • [x] Add get_ratsnest for unconnected nets
  • [x] Add get_design_rules for clearance constraints
  • [x] Add check_clearance for DRC validation
  • [x] Add pathfinding helpers for the AI (find_path, suggest_route, get_obstacles)
  • [x] Add schematic capture tools (wires, labels, symbols, sheets)

Future Improvements

  • [ ] Add symbol library browsing/searching
  • [ ] Add schematic ERC (Electrical Rules Check)
  • [ ] Improve symbol property editing
  • [ ] Add bus support for schematics

License

MIT License - See LICENSE file

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