/kicad-schematic

name: kicad-schematic
description: |
  Workflow skill for KiCAD schematic design via MCP tools. Triggers on: "design a circuit",
  "add a component", "wire up", "connect pins", "build schematic", "place resistor",
  "place cap", "place IC", "schematic", "add symbol", "net label", "power rail".
argument-hint: "[circuit description or task]"

KiCAD Schematic Design Workflow

This skill guides Claude to design schematics using Konnect MCP tools. ALL modifications go through MCP tools — never edit .kicad_sch files directly.

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Toolset Loading

Before any schematic work, load the required toolsets:

load_toolset('sch_components')   # place, move, rotate, delete symbols
load_toolset('sch_wiring')       # wires, net labels, power symbols, connections

Load additional toolsets as needed:

load_toolset('library')          # search_symbols, get_symbol_info, list_symbol_libraries
load_toolset('sch_batch')        # batch operations for 3+ items
load_toolset('sch_analysis')     # find components, get pin info, inspect nets

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

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Component Placement

Workflow

1. Search the library first: use `search_symbols` to find the correct lib_id 2. Get pin info: use `get_symbol_info` to see pin names, numbers, and positions 3. Place on the 1.27mm grid (KiCAD default schematic grid) 4. Verify placement with `list_schematic_components`

Common Library IDs

| Component | lib_id | |------------------|---------------------------------| | Resistor | `Device:R` | | Capacitor | `Device:C` | | Capacitor Polar | `Device:C_Polarized` | | Inductor | `Device:L` | | LED | `Device:LED` | | Diode | `Device:D` | | Zener | `Device:D_Zener` | | NPN Transistor | `Device:Q_NPN_BCE` | | PNP Transistor | `Device:Q_PNP_BCE` | | N-MOSFET | `Device:Q_NMOS_GDS` | | P-MOSFET | `Device:Q_PMOS_GDS` | | 2-pin Connector | `Connector_Generic:Conn_01x02` | | 4-pin Connector | `Connector_Generic:Conn_01x04` | | Ground | `power:GND` | | +3.3V | `power:+3V3` | | +5V | `power:+5V` | | VCC | `power:VCC` | | VDD | `power:VDD` |

Rotation Conventions

• 0 degrees: default orientation (pins left/right)
• 90 degrees: rotated CCW (useful for vertical components)
• 180 degrees: flipped horizontally
• 270 degrees: rotated CW

Power symbols: GND uses 0 (arrow points down), VCC/VDD/+3V3/+5V use 0 (arrow points up).

Spacing Guidelines

• Between ICs: 30-50mm horizontal, 20-30mm vertical
• Between passive components: 10-15mm
• Between a decoupling cap and its IC: 5-10mm
• Leave room for wiring: minimum 5mm between component pins and other elements

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Wiring

Connection Methods — Decision Table

| Scenario | Method | Why | |-----------------------------------------|-------------------------|------------------------------------------| | Two pins physically close (<30mm) | `connect_pins` | Direct wire, auto-routed | | Named signal (SDA, MOSI, EN, etc.) | `connect_to_net` | Stub wire + net label, cleaner | | Power rail (VCC, GND, +3V3) | `add_power_symbol` | Proper power symbol, auto-connects | | Bus signals (D0-D7) | `connect_to_net` | Net labels with bus naming | | Cross-sheet signal | Global label | Connects across schematic sheets | | Multiple pins to same net (3+) | `batch_connect_to_net` | Efficient bulk operation |

connect_pins

Use for direct pin-to-pin connections. The tool auto-routes with L-bends.

connect_pins(from_component, from_pin, to_component, to_pin)

• Specify pins by pin number (from get_schematic_pin_locations)
• Works best when pins are nearby and facing each other
• Automatically creates wire segments with proper bends

connect_to_net

Use for named nets. Creates a short stub wire and attaches a net label.

connect_to_net(component_reference, pin_number, net_name)

• Preferred for signals that connect to 3+ pins
• Preferred for named buses and control signals
• Keeps schematic clean and readable
• Net name must be consistent across all connections

add_power_symbol

Use for all power connections. Never manually wire to power symbols.

add_power_symbol(component_reference, pin_number, power_net)

• Automatically places the correct power symbol (GND, VCC, etc.)
• Handles orientation automatically
• Connects the pin to the global power net

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Batch Operations

Load `sch_batch` toolset when placing 3 or more components or making bulk connections.

batch_place_components

Place multiple components in one call. Provide `schematic` and a `components` array of `{lib_id, x, y, rotation?, reference?, value?, unit?}` objects. Pass `reference` explicitly for each component -- it is not auto-assigned.

batch_connect_to_net

Connect multiple pins to the same net in one call. Ideal for:

• Connecting all VCC pins on an IC
• Connecting all GND pins
• Bus signals across multiple ICs

batch_edit_schematic_components

Bulk-modify component properties (values, footprints, fields) across multiple components.

When to Use Batch vs Individual

• 1-2 components: individual calls
• 3+ components: batch operations
• Mixed operations (place + wire): do placement batch first, then wiring batch

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Common Patterns

Decoupling Capacitor

Place 100nF cap (Device:C)