AI-assisted PCB design for KiCad 10

Overview and Architecture

Konnect is a beta-stage native plugin for KiCad 10 that enables AI assistants (such as Claude and Codex) to perform PCB design tasks via the Model Context Protocol (MCP). Built as a single Rust binary, it serves as the successor to the original Python/TypeScript KiCAD-MCP-Server, aiming to resolve dependency complexity and call-path inefficiencies.

The architecture simplifies the tool call path from four language boundaries (TS → Python → SWIG C++) to direct function calls within a single process. It utilizes KiCad 10’s official IPC API (NNG + protobuf) instead of deprecated SWIG bindings, ensuring better stability and integration with KiCad’s native undo/redo systems. The binary is approximately 9MB for download and 20–25MB after installation, requiring no external dependencies like Node.js or Python.

Key Features and Tools

Konnect provides 228 tools organized into 21 on-demand toolsets to optimize context usage (loading ~2K tokens initially vs. ~23K for full exposure). Key capabilities include:

• Schematic Editing: Direct S-expression editing without needing KiCad open, using atomic writes and UUID preservation.
• PCB Layout & Routing: Real-time placement and routing via KiCad IPC API. Supports Specctra routing through local Freerouting MCP integration.
• Verification: Automated checks for ERC, DRC, connectivity, decoupling, power rails, and BOM.
• Component Search: Access to a local 2.5M component catalog for JLCPCB inventory and alternative suggestions.
• Export: Generation of Gerber, drill, BOM, pick-and-place, 3D models, and PDF files.
• Reference Circuits: Templates for common designs like USB-C, LDO, buck converters, STM32, and I2C.

Installation and Platform Support

Konnect requires KiCad 10 and is primarily tested on Windows, with support for macOS (Apple Silicon/Intel) and Linux (CI-tested, QA pending). Installation is recommended via the KiCad Plugin Manager.

• macOS: Users must remove quarantine attributes (xattr -d com.apple.quarantine) due to lack of code signing. KiCad CLI and IPC socket paths (ipc:///tmp/kicad/api.sock) must be explicitly configured in config.toml.
• Windows: Server binary is located in the KiCad 3rdparty plugins directory. Configuration is added to claude_desktop_config.json or .mcp.json.
• AI Client Setup: Use konnect init for Claude or konnect init --client codex for Codex. The tool includes diagnostic commands like get_installation_info to verify the running binary and configuration.

Licensing and Ecosystem

Konnect is licensed under GNU AGPL-3.0. It is free for hobbyists, students, and open-source projects. Commercial use requires open-sourcing derivative works under AGPL or purchasing a commercial license. The project maintains a GitHub repository with 1.0k stars and integrates with Nimrod, a real-time web research MCP server, for up-to-date component data.