/kicad-review

name: kicad-review
description: |
  Design review and validation workflow for KiCAD projects via MCP tools. Triggers on: "review my design",
  "check for errors", "audit", "DRC", "ERC", "find problems", "design review", "is this ready",
  "validate", "check my schematic", "check my PCB", "what's wrong", "run checks", "pre-fab review".
argument-hint: "[what to review]"

KiCAD Design Review & Validation Workflow

This skill guides Claude through systematic design review of a KiCAD project using MCP tools. ALL checks are performed through MCP tools — never parse .kicad_sch or .kicad_pcb files directly.

---

Toolset Loading

Load the required toolsets for design review:

load_toolset('sch_analysis')     # find_orphan_items, find_shorted_nets, find_single_pin_nets
load_toolset('verification')     # run_drc, check_clearance, get_design_rules
load_toolset('sch_export')       # run_erc
load_toolset('pcb_export')       # get_drc_violations
load_toolset('manufacturing')    # validate_for_manufacturing
load_toolset('design_review')    # audit_decoupling, audit_connections, audit_power_rails, etc.

Optional (for deeper analysis):

load_toolset('sch_analysis')     # get net info, trace connections, inspect components
load_toolset('pcb_routing')      # query_traces, get_nets_list

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

---

Quick Checks (Escalating Severity)

Run these first — they are fast and catch the most critical issues.

Level 1: Structural Integrity

find_orphan_items()

Finds floating wires, labels, and symbols not connected to anything. These are almost always bugs (leftover from edits or incomplete wiring).

Level 2: Critical Net Issues

find_shorted_nets()

Detects nets that are connected together but should not be. A shorted net means:

• Two different net labels on the same wire
• Power rails bridged unintentionally
• Signal nets merged by accident

**This is always a critical error. Fix before proceeding.**

Level 3: Suspicious Connections

find_single_pin_nets()

A net with only one pin connected is almost always a mistake:

• Incomplete wiring (forgot to connect the other end)
• Orphan net labels (typo in name, so it does not match)
• Leftover stubs from deleted components

---

Formal Checks

ERC — Electrical Rules Check

run_erc()

Checks schematic-level rules:

• Pin type conflicts (output driving output, unconnected inputs)
• Power pin connections
• Missing no-connect flags
• Duplicate reference designators
• Missing net connections

Review each violation. Some can be waived (e.g., intentional unconnected pins marked with no-connect flag).

DRC — Design Rules Check

get_drc_violations()

Checks PCB-level rules:

• Clearance violations (copper-to-copper, copper-to-edge)
• Minimum trace width violations
• Minimum drill size violations
• Unrouted connections (incomplete routing)
• Zone fill issues
• Courtyard overlaps

**Every DRC error must be resolved or explicitly justified before manufacturing.**

---

Design Audits

These go beyond rule checking — they evaluate design quality and best practices.

Decoupling Audit

audit_decoupling()

Checks:

• Every IC power pin has a bypass capacitor
• Capacitor is placed close to the pin (PCB proximity)
• Appropriate capacitor values (100nF ceramic minimum)
• Bulk capacitance present for high-current ICs

Connection Audit

audit_connections()

Checks:

• All expected connections are made
• No nets with unexpected fan-out
• Signal integrity basics (termination on long traces)
• Pull-up/pull-down resistors where required (I2C, reset pins, enable pins)

Power Rail Audit

audit_power_rails()

Checks:

• All power rails have proper source (regulator, connector, etc.)
• Current capacity matches expected load
• Voltage levels are consistent (no 3.3V device on 5V rail)
• Power sequencing considered for multi-rail designs
• Power flags present (avoids ERC false positives)

Manufacturing Audit

audit_manufacturing()

Checks:

• All footprints are fab-house compatible
• Pad sizes meet minimum requirements
• Silkscreen readability
• Test point accessibility
• Fiducial marks present (for SMT assembly)
• Mechanical clearances around mounting holes

---

Full Review Shortcut

run_design_review()

Runs ALL audits and checks in sequence, producing a consolidated report. Use this for a comprehensive pre-manufacturing review.

Equivalent to running: 1. find_orphan_items 2. find_shorted_nets 3. find_single_pin_nets 4. run_erc 5. get_drc_violations 6. audit_decoupling 7. audit_connections 8. audit_power_rails 9. audit_manufacturing

---

Severity Classification

CRITICAL — Must fix before manufacturing

| Finding | Why Critical | |------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------| | Shorted nets | Short circuit on the board, may damage components | | Missing ground connection | Circuit will not function | | Reversed polarity on power IC | Immediate destruction on power-up | | Unrouted nets | Missing connections on fabricated board | | DRC clearance violation | May cause electrical short on fab board | | Power pin unconnected | IC will not operate | | Wrong voltage on IC power pin | Exceeds absolute maximum, destroys part |

WARNING — Should fix, design risk

| Finding | Why a Warning | |------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------| | Missing decoupling capacitor | Noise susceptibility, possible oscillation | | No test points on key signals | Cannot debug in production