KiCad Copilot

AI-powered MCP server for KiCad. Create and modify schematics from natural language, search real components, work with hierarchical projects, generate PCB placement, route boards locally, and create simple copper pours directly through an AI agent.

KiCad Copilot is the KiCad counterpart to EasyEDA Copilot. It provides the same core circuit-generation and PCB automation capabilities—and goes further with file-oriented hierarchical projects, recoverable checkpoints, native kicad-cli integration, and fully local PCB routing.

Integrated analysis: KiCad Copilot downloads a pinned, verified kicad-happy v2.2.0 release on first use of analyze_schematic or analyze_pcb. The MCP tools return compact, token-efficient actionable findings and focused design data.

What it does

KiCad Copilot gives AI agents a high-level, file-oriented interface to KiCad:

• Generate and modify schematics: add, remove, replace, and connect real components without editing every KiCad object individually.
• Rebuild schematic blocks: reorganize selected components while preserving their electrical connections.
• Search components and reusable blocks: resolve components by MPN or part UUID and insert proven functional circuits.
• Work with KiCad projects: inspect project trees and create projects, standalone schematics, hierarchical sheets, and PCB files.
• Preserve recoverable checkpoints: save, list, and restore exact versions of individual KiCad files.
• Synchronize schematic and PCB: explicitly import schematic changes into the associated board.
• Generate PCB placement: describe board constraints in a compact JavaScript DSL, review PNG/SVG previews, and apply the approved result.
• Route locally: use eda-copilot-router with its managed KRT backend without sending routing work to an external service.
• Create copper pours: add simple full-board zones with optional stitching vias.
• Use native KiCad tooling: discover kicad-cli for ERC, DRC, previews, exports, manufacturing files, and other native operations.

KiCad Copilot works directly with saved .kicad_pro, .kicad_sch, and .kicad_pcb files. It does not require KiCad IPC or a plugin installed inside KiCad.

Examples

These projects were generated and iterated through KiCad Copilot. The complete KiCad source files are available in the examples directory.

ATmega328P development board

A hierarchical ATmega328P design with the MCU core, clock, reset, decoupling, USB-UART power, Nano-compatible headers, and debug connections split across functional sheets.

Project overview	USB-UART and power
MCU core	Nano headers and debug

Download the ATmega328P project

Geiger high-voltage supply

A larger multi-sheet design covering power input, 3.3 V regulation, the high-voltage generator, flyback stage, feedback, detector, controller, and user interface.

Project overview	Power input
High-voltage generator	Detector
Controller UI	3.3 V power
HV flyback	HV feedback
User interface

Download the Geiger high-voltage project

RP2350 development board

A hierarchical RP2350 design with power, clock, flash, USB/debug, GPIO headers, and an AI-generated PCB placement. The example includes the placement DSL and an editable KiCad board.

Project overview	Power
RP2350 and clock	Flash
USB and debug	GPIO headers

_{KiCad 3D render of the generated PCB placement}

Download the RP2350 project

Installation

Add the MCP server to your AI agent.

Codex:

codex mcp add kicad-copilot -- npx -y kicad-copilot-mcp

Claude Code:

claude mcp add kicad-copilot -- npx -y kicad-copilot-mcp

Generic MCP configuration:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "kicad-copilot": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "kicad-copilot-mcp"]
    }
  }
}

Restart the MCP client after adding the server. KiCad Copilot includes local workflow documentation for the agent; tool descriptions expose its installed path automatically.

Requirements

• Node.js 20 or newer
• KiCad 9 or 10
• Python 3 for managed EasyEDA2KiCad installation and kicad-happy analysis

KiCad Copilot searches for kicad-cli in PATH and standard KiCad installation locations, preferring KiCad 10 when multiple supported versions are installed. Set KICAD_CLI_PATH when the executable is stored elsewhere.

The first real-component conversion uses an existing EasyEDA2KiCad installation or installs it automatically into a managed local virtual environment.