kicad-studio

Overview

KiCad Studio is a comprehensive VS Code extension that transforms your environment into an interactive KiCad workspace. It provides schematic/PCB viewers, DRC/ERC diagnostics, BOM/netlist inspection, and manufacturing exports. The extension features robust MCP integration through kicad-mcp-pro, enabling AI-assisted design workflows, quality gates, and design intent forms. With support for multiple AI providers including Claude, OpenAI, and GitHub Copilot, it bridges the gap between traditional PCB design and modern AI assistance.

Try asking AI

After installing, here are 5 things you can ask your AI assistant:

• detect_kicad_cli

  Detects the local KiCad CLI installation

  Try:Detect my KiCad CLITry:Where is KiCad CLI installed?
• run_drc

  Runs Design Rule Check on a KiCad PCB project

  Try:Run DRC on my PCBTry:Check design rules for my board
• run_erc

  Runs Electrical Rule Check on a KiCad schematic project

  Try:Run ERC on my schematicTry:Check electrical rules for my design
• export_3d_pdf

  Exports a 3D PDF from a KiCad PCB project

  Try:Export 3D PDF of my boardTry:Create a 3D PDF visualization
• setup_mcp_integration

  Sets up MCP integration with kicad-mcp-pro

  Try:Setup MCP integrationTry:Connect to kicad-mcp-pro
• install_kicad_mcp_pro

  Installs kicad-mcp-pro dependency

  Try:Install kicad-mcp-proTry:Get MCP tools for KiCad
• pick_mcp_profile

  Selects an MCP profile tailored for specific workflows

  Try:Pick an MCP profile for manufacturingTry:Show me available MCP profiles
• run_all_quality_gates

  Runs all quality gates through kicad-mcp-pro

  Try:Run all quality gatesTry:Check my design quality
• manufacturing_release_wizard

  Guides through manufacturing release workflow

  Try:Prepare manufacturing releaseTry:Export my board for fabrication
• open_mcp_log

  Opens the MCP request/response log for debugging

  Try:Show me the MCP logTry:Debug my MCP connection
• open_design_intent

  Opens the design intent form panel

  Try:Edit design intentTry:Set project requirements
• manage_chat_provider

  Manages AI chat provider configuration

  Try:Configure AI chat providerTry:Set up Claude for KiCad

Note: Tools inferred from 'Key Commands' section in README. No explicit MCP tool documentation found, but these appear to be the MCP-exposed commands based on the integration description.

Comparable tools

Installation

code --install-extension oaslananka.kicadstudio

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "kicad-mcp-pro": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": ["kicad-mcp-pro"]
    }
  }
}

FAQ

What KiCad versions are supported?

KiCad Studio supports KiCad 9 and 10. KiCad 10 provides full support for variants, tuning, and 3D PDF exports while KiCad 9 has limited project fallback support.

How do I set up MCP integration?

Run 'KiCad: Install kicad-mcp-pro', then 'KiCad: Setup MCP Integration'. The extension will automatically detect kicad-mcp-pro from uvx, pip, pipx, or global executable.

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