KiCad Design Assistant

AI-powered design review and repair tool for KiCad PCB projects.

Features:

• Analyze PCB boards and schematics
• Check DFM rules for JLCPCB, PCBWay, OSHPark
• Auto-fix issues (track widths, via sizes, annular rings)
• Add power planes and ground stitching vias
• Export BOM (Bill of Materials)
• Works as Claude Code skill AND MCP server

Installation

Option 1: pip install (Recommended)

pip install kicad-assistant

Then configure MCP in ~/.claude/mcp.json:

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

Option 2: Claude Code Skill

git clone https://github.com/cohen5/kicad-assistant ~/.claude/skills/kicad-assistant
pip install kiutils

Option 3: From source

git clone https://github.com/cohen5/kicad-assistant
cd kicad-assistant
pip install -e .

Usage Examples

Analyze a board

Analyze the PCB at ~/projects/myboard.kicad_pcb

Check manufacturing rules

Check if this board meets JLCPCB specs
Check DFM for PCBWay advanced capabilities

Auto-fix issues

Fix all DFM issues in this board
Fix the track widths to meet JLCPCB rules

Add power planes

Add a GND plane on layer In1.Cu
Add +3V3 power plane on In2.Cu

Add stitching vias

Add ground stitching vias with 5mm spacing

Add thermal vias

Add thermal vias under U1

Recommend stackup

What layer stackup should I use for this board?

Export BOM

Export BOM as CSV

MCP Tools

Tool	Description
analyze_board	Board statistics and structure
analyze_schematic	Schematic structure
check_dfm	DFM validation against fab rules
check_erc	Schematic electrical rule check
fix_board_issues	Auto-fix DFM violations
add_power_plane	Create power/ground plane
add_stitching_vias	Add ground stitching
add_thermal_vias	Add thermal vias under component
recommend_stackup	Suggest layer configuration
export_bom	Export Bill of Materials
find_project_files	Find KiCad files in directory

DFM Presets

Preset	Min Track	Min Via Drill	Description
jlcpcb_standard	0.127mm (5mil)	0.3mm	JLCPCB standard process
jlcpcb_advanced	0.09mm (3.5mil)	0.2mm	JLCPCB HDI process
pcbway_standard	0.127mm	0.3mm	PCBWay standard
oshpark	0.152mm (6mil)	0.254mm	OSH Park (purple boards)

Python API

from kicad_assistant.board.analyzer import analyze_board
from kicad_assistant.board.dfm import check_dfm
from kicad_assistant.board.fixer import fix_board_issues

# Analyze
stats = analyze_board("board.kicad_pcb")
print(f"Board: {stats.board_width_mm} x {stats.board_height_mm} mm")

# Check DFM
result = check_dfm("board.kicad_pcb", preset="jlcpcb_standard")
print(f"Status: {result.status}, Errors: {len(result.errors)}")

# Auto-fix
fix_result = fix_board_issues("board.kicad_pcb", preset="jlcpcb_standard")
print(f"Fixed {len(fix_result.fixes_applied)} issues")

Requirements

• Python 3.10+
• Dependencies installed automatically: kiutils, mcp

Safety

All file modifications:

1. Create .bak backup before changes
2. Validate files after modification
3. Support dry-run mode

License

MIT License