operating-kicad-eda

# Operating KiCad EDA > MCP tool router for KiCad 9. Never guess, never hand-route, never parallelize PCB writes. ## When to use | Scenario | Use | Approach | |----------|-----|----------| | Create schematic from design doc | Yes | `schematic()` operations | | Generate PCB from schematic | Yes | `build_pcb_from_schematic` | | Route a PCB | Yes | `autoroute(operation="run")` only | | Fix DRC violations | Yes | `drc(operation="autofix")` | | Export manufacturing files | Yes | `export()` Gerber/BOM/render | | Hand-place a single trace | **NO** | LLM traces violate clearances | ## Iron rules 1. **NEVER hand-route** — `pcb(add_trace/add_via)` produces DRC-failing garbage. Use `autoroute(operation="run")`. 2. **NEVER guess names** — footprint and symbol names change between KiCad versions. Always `library(operation="search")` first. 3. **SERIALIZE PCB ops** — MCP PCB tools do load/modify/save. Parallel calls corrupt the `.kicad_pcb` file. 4. **VERIFY after changes** — `drc(operation="run")` + `audit(operation="all")` before declaring done. ## MCP tool routing table | Task | MCP Tool | Operation | |------|----------|-----------| | Search parts | `library` | `search` | | Create/edit schematic | `schematic` | `create_symbol`, `add_wire`, `add_label` | | Build PCB from schematic | `build_pcb_from_schematic` | — (standalone) | | Place footprints | `pcb` | `place_footprint` | | Set board outline | `pcb` | `set_board_outline` | | Add zones (copper pour) | `pcb` | `add_zone` | | Aut...