How do I install io.github.daedalus/mcp-kicad?

Clone io.github.daedalus/mcp-kicad from https://github.com/daedalus/mcp-kicad and configure it as an MCP server in your client (Claude Desktop, Cursor, or VS Code).

Is io.github.daedalus/mcp-kicad open source?

Yes, io.github.daedalus/mcp-kicad is open source under the MIT license. Source code is available at https://github.com/daedalus/mcp-kicad.

What category does io.github.daedalus/mcp-kicad belong to?

io.github.daedalus/mcp-kicad is listed under Developer Tools MCP servers on MCPFind.

io.github.daedalus/mcp-kicad — MCP Server for Developer Tools

mcp-kicad — MCP server exposing KiCad PCB Editor functionality via IPC API.

Install

pip install mcp-kicad

Requirements

KiCad 9.0 or higher with the IPC API server enabled
Go to Preferences > Plugins in KiCad and enable the API server

Usage

The MCP server communicates with a running KiCad instance via the IPC API. Start KiCad first, then run the server:

mcp-kicad

Or configure it in your MCP client:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "mcp-kicad": {
      "command": "mcp-kicad",
      "env": {}
    }
  }
}

Tools

The server exposes the following tools:

Connection: connect_kicad, check_connection
Board: get_board_info, get_layers, get_board_design_settings
Footprints: list_footprints, get_footprint, search_footprints
Nets: list_nets, get_net, list_netclasses
Zones: list_zones
Tracks/Vias: list_tracks, list_vias
Pads: list_pads
Text: list_texts, get_text_extents
Project: get_project, get_version

Example

from mcp_kicad import mcp_server

# Connect to running KiCad
result = mcp_server.connect_kicad()

# Get board info
board_info = mcp_server.get_board_info()
print(board_info)

# List all footprints
footprints = mcp_server.list_footprints()
for fp in footprints:
    print(f"{fp['reference']}: {fp['value']}")

Development

git clone https://github.com/daedalus/mcp-kicad.git
cd mcp-kicad
pip install -e ".[test]"

# run tests
pytest

# format
ruff format src/ tests/

# lint
ruff check src/ tests/

# type check
mypy src/

mcp-name: io.github.daedalus/mcp-kicad

Set up in your AI client

AI clientOperating system

Merge this template into ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json. Keep existing servers. Add any arguments, credentials, and permissions required by the maintainer; this template has not been install-tested.

json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "io-github-daedalus-mcp-kicad": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": [
        "mcp-kicad"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Restart Claude Desktop completely for changes to take effect. Confirm the server appears connected in the client’s tool list, then try a read-only example from its documentation.

Claude Desktop setup reference

Compatible MCP Clients

io.github.daedalus/mcp-kicad works with any MCP-compatible client. Copy the config snippet from the Configuration section above and add it to the file shown for your client, then restart the application.

Claude Desktop~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.jsonRestart Claude Desktop completely for changes to take effect.

Cursor~/.cursor/mcp.jsonRestart Cursor for changes to take effect.

VS Code.vscode/mcp.jsonReload VS Code window for changes to take effect.

Windsurf~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.jsonRestart Windsurf for changes to take effect.

Claude Code.mcp.jsonSave at the project root, then start Claude Code in that project and review the MCP server approval prompt. Keep real credentials out of shared files.

io.github.daedalus/mcp-kicad