MCP100 Assessment

Editorial verdict

Shortlist retained after reviewed Batch 1 re-audit: current_tool_contract_schema_handler_routing_mismatch.

Reviewed September 23, 2026

Task Fit

Mapped

Team productivity

Trust

Status warning

current_tool_contract_schema_handler_routing_mismatch

Maintenance

Activity observed

A dated repository or package update is available; editorial maintenance review is still pending.

Popularity

Signals available

Visible usage signals are shown for discovery only, not as proof of safety.

Best for

Assisting with KiCad project inspection and repetitive PCB or schematic editing tasks

Not ideal for

Safety-critical electrical design or final design-rule approval without an experienced engineer

Avoid if

You cannot version, inspect, and independently validate every generated design change

Trade-offs

Automation can accelerate layout work, but malformed or electrically incorrect edits may look plausible and can become expensive after fabrication.

Evidence scope

Evidence

Current source snapshot

Popularity

2.4k MCP repository stars

238 package downloads / 30 days

Repository identity: mixelpixx/KiCAD-MCP-Server

Package identity: kicad-mcp-server · version v2.8.1

Stars observed September 24, 2026 · Downloads observed September 8, 2026

Exact reviewed repository metric.

existing reviewed numeric value preserved pending package refresh

Maintenance

Publisher activity observed August 14, 2026

Current source snapshot

Trust review

Source relationship: Community implementation

Reviewed September 23, 2026

Sources

GitHub repository ↗GitHub releases ↗

Supporting evidence (4)

GitHub issue #407 ↗GitHub issue #412 ↗Source file: test_schema_param_names.py ↗Source file: pyproject.toml ↗

Evidence-backed setup

Install & Agents

Choose your MCP client. A client connects to the MCP server; the language model is selected inside that client. Only stored, source-backed configurations are shown.

Claude Code

Local stdio

MCP100 logic checked

claude mcp add kicad -e PYTHONPATH="/absolute/path/to/kicad-python-site-packages" -e LOG_LEVEL="info" -- node "/absolute/path/to/KiCAD-MCP-Server/dist/index.js"

The publisher connection details were combined with this client's official MCP transport configuration; installation was not executed by MCP100.

Verify safely: Restart Claude Code, confirm kicad tools are listed, and perform one read-only test with non-sensitive data.

Uninstall and revoke

Remove kicad from Claude Code, restart the client, remove any separately installed package, and revoke dedicated credentials if used.

Evidence & methodology

Publisher-documented setup is not the same as MCP100 execution testing. “MCP100 logic checked” means the stored configuration shape was reviewed, not that third-party MCP software was run.

Evidence checked 2026-08-12

Evidence 1 ↗Evidence 2 ↗

Capability

What it does

KiCAD MCP Server** is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that enables AI assistants like Claude to interact with KiCAD for PCB design automation.

Productivity & CollaborationManufacturing & Industrial

Representative uses

Assisting with KiCad project inspection and repetitive PCB or schematic editing tasks

Important limits

Safety-critical electrical design or final design-rule approval without an experienced engineer

ToolsDocumented capabilitiesView tools

Projects & Board Setup
Create, open, save, inspect, and snapshot KiCad projects while establishing board geometry, layers, outlines, zones, text, and mechanical features.
Schematic Design & Connectivity
Build and edit schematics, place symbols, wire nets, manage labels and hierarchy, inspect connectivity, and synchronize schematic intent with the PCB.
PCB Placement & Routing
Place and align components, create nets and net classes, route traces and differential pairs, add vias and copper, and refine board connectivity.
Libraries, Symbols & Footprints
Search KiCad libraries and create or maintain custom symbols and footprints so reusable component definitions fit the design workflow.
Verification, Autorouting & Manufacturing
Run ERC/DRC and clearance checks, use Freerouting when appropriate, and export manufacturing and exchange outputs such as Gerbers, BOMs, position files, PDFs, SVG, 3D, and netlists.
Parts, Datasheets & KiCad Session
Search JLCPCB parts, enrich datasheet information, and manage the KiCad application/session needed to keep design automation connected to the desktop tool.

Profile: Official v2.7.0 source snapshot aa53d52c2e37a13cb3574a6e0acf2c728b4d6bfb Do not render 169 as a canonical MCP tools/list count.

Source: Partial official evidence

Context Footprint

~29.2K estimated schema tokens

Context impact: High

Estimated token footprint of the MCP tool schemas exposed to the agent.

Approx. estimate

Official v2.7.0 source snapshot aa53d52c2e37a13cb3574a6e0acf2c728b4d6bfb

Reviewed access

Access & risk

Review the exact access boundary before connecting this MCP to accounts, credentials, or sensitive data.

Authentication: No authentication is documented for the local MCP server. JLCPCB live lookup optionally uses JLCPCB_APP_ID, JLCPCB_API_KEY, and JLCPCB_API_SECRET; local catalog search needs no credentials.
Permissions: Reads and writes KiCad boards, schematics, projects, libraries, and assets, with auto-save, UI control, autorouting, exports, and optional JLCPCB catalog and API operations.
Data handling: Local operations read and write design files and paths. Developer logs contain tool-call history, paths, and design details. Optional JLCPCB lookups send configured credentials and requests to JLCPCB; retention is not documented.
Cost: The MIT-licensed server lists no MCP fee. The JLCPCB guide says Basic parts have free assembly and Extended parts charge a $3 setup fee per unique part; manufacturing charges are separate.
Risk and cautions: Auto-save, deletion, board and schematic writes, routing, and external integrations can damage designs or expose files and credentials. Use backups and version control, review writes, and protect environment files and logs.

Related reviewed MCPs

Other options

Atlassian Remote MCP

MCP100 Recommended

Connect supported AI clients to Jira and Confluence.

Choose this instead if

Choose Atlassian Remote MCP instead if searching and summarizing Jira and Confluence knowledge.

Connect supported AI clients to Jira and Confluence, with a documented Rovo MCP v2 upgrade path for additional supported Atlassian apps.

Compare with KiCAD MCP Server View Atlassian Remote MCP details

Ghidra MCP Server

MCP100 Recommended

A production-ready Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that bridges Ghidra's powerful reverse engineering capabilities with modern AI tools and automation frameworks.

Choose this instead if

Choose Ghidra MCP Server instead if querying decompilation, symbols, references, functions, and analysis state inside Ghidra.

Recommended for controlled reverse-engineering work where an agent may inspect and modify an open Ghidra project.

Compare with KiCAD MCP Server View Ghidra MCP Server details

MCP Unity Editor (Game Engine)

MCP100 Recommended

MCP Unity is an implementation of the Model Context Protocol for Unity Editor, allowing AI assistants to interact with your Unity projects.

Choose this instead if

Choose MCP Unity Editor (Game Engine) instead if creating and editing Unity project assets, scenes, scripts, and editor state through supported AI coding clients.

Recommended for assisted Unity 6+ editor workflows when changes are made in a version-controlled project and reviewed in the Editor.

Compare with KiCAD MCP Server View MCP Unity Editor (Game Engine) details

Read publisher documentation

Publisher documentation

MCP100 source-backed summary

A concise MCP100 summary built from the reviewed publisher sources. It is not a publisher README; use the original link for the latest full documentation.

View original documentation ↗

KiCAD MCP Server

KiCAD MCP Server** is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that enables AI assistants like Claude to interact with KiCAD for PCB design automation.

What it can help with

Assisting with KiCad project inspection and repetitive PCB or schematic editing tasks

Important limits

Safety-critical electrical design or final design-rule approval without an experienced engineer

Loading optional publisher documentation…

FAQ

What can KiCAD MCP Server do?

KiCAD MCP Server** is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that enables AI assistants like Claude to interact with KiCAD for PCB design automation.

Can it edit boards and schematics and perform routing or exports?

Yes. The reviewed KiCad surface covers schematic editing and connectivity, PCB placement and routing, and verification or manufacturing exports including common fabrication and exchange formats.

Does KiCAD MCP Server work with Claude Code?

Yes. MCP100 reviewed an evidence-backed setup for Claude Code, but has not independently verified it with a live runtime test.

Does KiCAD MCP Server require credentials?

No authentication is documented for the local MCP server. JLCPCB live lookup optionally uses JLCPCB_APP_ID, JLCPCB_API_KEY, and JLCPCB_API_SECRET; local catalog search needs no credentials.

What are the risks of giving it design-file and JLCPCB access?

Auto-save, deletion, board and schematic writes, routing, and external integrations can damage designs or expose files and credentials. Use backups and version control, review writes, and protect environment files and logs.

Is this an official MCP?

mixelpixx is listed as Community implementation in MCP100’s current evidence.

Current implementation resources: