KiCAD Library Management Workflow

This skill guides Claude through creating and managing KiCAD symbols, footprints, and libraries using Konnect MCP tools. ALL modifications go through MCP tools — never edit .kicad_sym or .kicad_mod files directly.

Toolset Loading

load_toolset('library')    # search_symbols, search_footprints, create_symbol, create_footprint,
                           # register_symbol_library, register_footprint_library, get_symbol_info

Always call get_active_toolsets() first to see what is already loaded.

Search First Principle

Always search existing libraries before creating custom components.

search_symbols(query)       # Search all symbol libraries
search_footprints(query)    # Search all footprint libraries

KiCAD ships with extensive libraries. Common parts almost always exist:

• Standard passives (R, C, L) → Device library
• Connectors → Connector_Generic, Connector_USB, Connector_HDMI, etc.
• Common ICs (STM32, ATmega, LM7805, NE555) → manufacturer-specific libraries
• Transistors/MOSFETs → Transistor_FET, Transistor_BJT

Only create a custom symbol/footprint when:

• The part does not exist in any library
• The existing symbol has wrong pin count/arrangement
• You need a proprietary/unusual package

Symbol Creation

Pin Numbering Conventions

Pin Types

Required Symbol Properties

Every symbol must have these fields:

Optional but recommended:

• LCSC — LCSC/JLCPCB part number for assembly
• MPN — Manufacturer part number
• Description — Short text description

Symbol Layout Guidelines

• Pin 1 indicator (dot or bar) on the symbol body
• Inputs on the left side, outputs on the right side
• Power pins on top (VCC) and bottom (GND)
• Pin spacing: 2.54mm (100mil) standard grid
• Symbol body: rectangle for ICs, standard shapes for passives/discretes

Footprint Creation

Pad Types

Standard Pad Sizes Reference

Courtyard

• Extend courtyard 0.25mm beyond the outermost pad edges on all sides
• This ensures minimum spacing between components during assembly
• Use F.CrtYd layer, 0.05mm line width

Footprint Layers

Footprint Layout Guidelines

• Pin 1 marker on silkscreen (dot, bar, or chamfered corner)
• Component outline on F.Fab layer with true dimensions
• Silkscreen outline 0.1mm outside F.Fab outline
• Reference (%R) on F.SilkS, readable at 1.0mm text height
• Value on F.Fab layer

Library Registration

Register a Symbol Library

register_symbol_library(name, path, scope)

Register a Footprint Library

register_footprint_library(name, path, scope)

Scope

Recommendation: Use project scope for project-specific custom parts. Use global scope only for reusable personal libraries used across multiple projects.

Library File Locations

• Symbol libraries: *.kicad_sym files
• Footprint libraries: directories containing *.kicad_mod files
• Project-level tables: sym-lib-table and fp-lib-table in project directory

IPC Naming Conventions (Brief Reference)

Standard footprint naming follows IPC-7351:

[Type]_[Dimensions]_[Pitch]_[Suffix]

Examples:

• R_0402_1005Metric — 0402 resistor (1.0x0.5mm metric)
• C_0805_2012Metric — 0805 capacitor (2.0x1.2mm metric)
• SOIC-8_3.9x4.9mm_P1.27mm — SOIC-8 with 1.27mm pitch
• QFN-32-1EP_5x5mm_P0.5mm — QFN-32 with exposed pad, 5x5mm body
• SOT-23 — SOT-23 3-pin
• TSSOP-16_4.4x5mm_P0.65mm — TSSOP-16 with 0.65mm pitch

Dimension format: LxW in mm (body dimensions, not pad-to-pad).

Common Workflows

Create a New IC Symbol + Footprint

1. search_symbols(part_name) — confirm it does not exist
2. search_footprints(package_name) — check if footprint exists (often it does)
3. Create symbol with correct pin count, names, numbers, and types
4. Assign existing footprint OR create custom footprint from datasheet
5. Register library if new
6. Set Footprint property on symbol to link them

Add LCSC Number to Existing Components

1. Load sch_analysis toolset
2. Find components missing LCSC field
3. Search JLCPCB parts for matching part numbers
4. Update component fields with LCSC numbers

Create Project-Specific Library

1. Create new .kicad_sym file for symbols
2. Create new directory for footprints
3. Register both with project scope
4. Add custom components as needed

Rules

1. Always search before creating — most parts already exist in KiCAD libraries
2. Never edit .kicad_sym or .kicad_mod directly — use MCP tools only
3. Follow pin numbering conventions — IC pins counter-clockwise from pin 1
4. Set pin types correctly — ERC depends on accurate pin types
5. Include all required properties — Reference, Value, Footprint, Datasheet
6. Use 0.25mm courtyard margin — standard clearance for assembly
7. Mark pin 1 clearly — both on symbol and footprint silkscreen
8. Use project scope by default — avoid polluting global libraries
9. Name footprints per IPC — consistent naming helps future reuse
10. Load toolsets first — check get_active_toolsets() and load library before starting