global-skills/skills/kicad-pcb-design/SKILL.md

name, description, scope

name	description	scope
kicad-pcb-design	Design, inspect, route, and verify printed circuit boards (PCBs) in KiCad using the KiCAD MCP server and kicad-cli.	global

KiCad PCB Design

Design, inspect, route, and verify printed circuit boards using the KiCAD Model Context Protocol (MCP) server or kicad-cli. Follow the shared workflow.

Prerequisites

KiCad and its Python scripting module (pcbnew) must be installed on the host:

sudo pacman -S kicad kicad-library kicad-library-3d

The KiCad MCP server is built and located at ~/Projects/work/KiCAD-MCP-Server. To start the MCP server manually or via configuration:

• Node runner: node ~/Projects/work/KiCAD-MCP-Server/dist/index.js
• Python environment: ~/Projects/work/KiCAD-MCP-Server/.venv/bin/python

Workflow

1. Schematic Capture & Part Selection

   • Use standard KiCad symbol libraries (Device, Connector, Regulator_Linear, etc.).
   • When using MCP:
     • Search parts: search_symbols, search_jlcpcb_parts
     • Add components: add_schematic_component or batch_add_components
     • Connect nets: add_schematic_wire, add_net_label
     • Run ERC: run_erc to catch floating inputs or unpowered pins.
   • When using CLI/files:
     • Work directly with .kicad_sch files or compile from netlists.
     • Validate: kicad-cli sch erc project.kicad_sch

2. Board Edge & Physical Stackup

   • Define board outline on Edge.Cuts with mounting holes (e.g. M2.5 or M3 with keepouts).
   • Standard 2-layer or 4-layer stackup:
     • Default thickness: 1.6 mm FR4, 1 oz Cu (35 µm).
     • Signal trace width: 0.25 mm (10 mil).
     • Power trace width: 0.5 mm – 1.0 mm depending on current.
     • Clearance: minimum 0.2 mm (8 mil) for low-cost fab houses (JLCPCB, PCBWay).

3. Placement & Routing

   • Bypass capacitors: Place ceramic decoupling caps (0.1 µF) as close as physically possible to IC V_{CC} / GND pins.
   • Ground plane: Fill top and bottom (or inner) layers with solid GND copper pours (zone). Stitch GND with vias near return current paths.
   • Routing:
     • Interactive/MCP routing: invoke routing tools or export DSN for Freerouting (run_freerouter).
     • Avoid 90° trace corners; use 45° bends.

4. Empirical Verification ("The engine measures")

   • Design Rule Check (DRC):
     • MCP: run_drc
     • CLI:

       kicad-cli pcb drc --output drc_report.json project.kicad_pcb
       

     • Zero unapproved clearance, unrouted net, or courtyard collisions before tapeout.

5. Fabrication & Export

   • Generate production manufacturing artifacts:

     # Gerber & Drill files
     kicad-cli pcb export gerbers -o gerbers/ project.kicad_pcb
     kicad-cli pcb export drill -o gerbers/ project.kicad_pcb
     # 2D/3D visual renders for human review
     kicad-cli pcb render -o board_preview.png project.kicad_pcb
     

   • Generate BOM and Centroid / Pick-and-place (CPL) for assembly.