Magic MCP vs KiCad MCP Pro Server
A side-by-side look at the Magic MCP and KiCad MCP Pro Server MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.
Verdict: choose Magic MCP for architecture & design work as a local process; choose KiCad MCP Pro Server for architecture & design as a local process. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.
Which MCP server should you choose?
Choose Magic MCP when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Architecture & Design domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- Its auth model fits you: API key required.
- You have the keys it needs:
TWENTY_FIRST_API_KEY, API_KEY_21ST.
Choose KiCad MCP Pro Server when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Architecture & Design domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- Its auth model fits you: No auth required.
- You have the keys it needs:
KICAD_MCP_MOUNT_PATH. - You want tools like
kicad_list_tool_categories, kicad_get_tools_in_category, kicad_set_project.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Architecture & Design | Architecture & Design |
| Quality signal | 53/100 · Good | 65/100 · Great |
| Install command | Confirmed | Confirmed |
| Transport | Local subprocess (stdio) | Local subprocess (stdio) |
| Auth | API key required | No auth required |
| Pricing | Paid service | Free |
| Required env vars | TWENTY_FIRST_API_KEYAPI_KEY_21ST | KICAD_MCP_MOUNT_PATH |
| Verified owner | Community listing | Community listing |
| GitHub stars | 6,193 | 145 |
| Directory activity | 16 views 1 installs 0 upvotes | 6 views 0 installs 0 upvotes |
| Tools | Not listed | 24 |
| Full listing | View Magic MCP | View KiCad MCP Pro Server |
Tools & capabilities
Magic MCP tools
No tool names declared yet. Check the project README from the listing page.
KiCad MCP Pro Server tools 24
kicad_list_tool_categoriesList all available tool categories and capabilities. This KiCad MCP Pro tool supports production EDA automation workflows for MCP clients.kicad_get_tools_in_categoryGet tool names in a category, optionally filtered by maturity.kicad_set_projectSet the active KiCad project directory and file paths. This KiCad MCP Pro tool supports production EDA automation workflows for MCP clients.kicad_get_project_infoShow the currently configured KiCad project paths. This KiCad MCP Pro tool supports production EDA automation workflows for MCP clients.project_design_workflowReturn the professional PCB design workflow as a typed phase state machine. Lays out the canonical Planner -> Builder -> Verifier -> Fixer -> Release sequence, with the high-level tool and the quality gates each phase must pass. Pass the phases already finished in ``completed_phases``; the tool marks them COMPLETE, reports the first remaining phase as READY (the current step) with its next action and gates, and flags when a human gate is required. Read-only and headless — use it to drive an autonomous design run step by step.project_get_next_actionReturn the next high-priority action derived from the current project gate.kicad_get_versionGet KiCad version information and current connection status. This KiCad MCP Pro tool supports production EDA automation workflows for MCP clients.pcb_get_board_summarySummarize the current board. This KiCad MCP Pro tool supports production EDA automation workflows for MCP clients.pcb_visual_qaHeadless PCB readability QA: off-board parts, silk and body overlap. A fast, file-backed first pass that runs without a live KiCad: it flags footprints whose body leaves the board outline, reference designators that collide on the silkscreen, and overlapping footprint bodies — directly from the ``.kicad_pcb`` geometry. It complements (does not replace) the authoritative DRC run, which remains the sign-off check for courtyard and silk clipping. Returns JSON with an overall PASS/INFO/WARN status and per-finding refs/positions.pcb_get_stackupShow the current stackup. This KiCad MCP Pro tool supports production EDA automation workflows for MCP clients.pcb_get_design_rulesRead the active board design rules file when available. This KiCad MCP Pro tool supports production EDA automation workflows for MCP clients.sch_get_symbolsList all schematic symbols, optionally from a child sheet. This KiCad MCP Pro tool supports production EDA automation workflows for MCP clients.- +12 more on the listing page
Ready-to-paste client configs
Paste either block (or both) into your client config, e.g. claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json. We only show a config when the install command is confirmed.
Magic MCP
{
"mcpServers": {
"21st-dev-magic-mcp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@21st-dev/cli@latest"
],
"env": {
"TWENTY_FIRST_API_KEY": "YOUR_TWENTY_FIRST_API_KEY_HERE",
"API_KEY_21ST": "YOUR_API_KEY_21ST_HERE"
}
}
}
}
KiCad MCP Pro Server
{
"mcpServers": {
"kicad-mcp-pro-server": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"kicad-mcp-pro"
],
"env": {
"KICAD_MCP_MOUNT_PATH": "YOUR_KICAD_MCP_MOUNT_PATH_HERE"
}
}
}
}
Frequently asked questions
Magic MCP is categorized under Architecture & Design and uses a local stdio subprocess. KiCad MCP Pro Server belongs to Architecture & Design and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick Magic MCP for architecture & design work and KiCad MCP Pro Server for architecture & design.
Copy the mcpServers block from the config section on this page into your client's config (for example claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json), then fully restart the client.
Magic MCP is listed as a paid service. Auth: api key required. KiCad MCP Pro Server is listed as free. Auth: no auth required. If a server needs environment variables such as API keys, define them under the env key in your client's MCP config.
Yes. MCP clients support multiple servers: add 21st-dev-magic-mcp and kicad-mcp-pro-server as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.
On AllMCPs, Magic MCP has a quality signal of 53/100 (Good) with 16 views, 1 installs and 6,193 GitHub stars. KiCad MCP Pro Server has 65/100 (Great) with 6 views, 0 installs and 145 GitHub stars.