open_project

THE RISK

High Risk

Why open_project needs a policy

This tool triggers an external operation by launching/opening a KiCad application with a specified project. It doesn't merely read data — it causes an external program (KiCad) to execute and load a project, which constitutes triggering an external operation. Severity is medium as misuse could open unintended projects or interfere with active KiCad sessions.

From the tool's definition Open a KiCad project in KiCad

Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access open_project gives an agent:

POLICY

How to control open_project

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and KiCad MCP Server, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for open_project:

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "open_project": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "open_project_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 10,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

open_project stays usable, but rate-capped — a runaway agent can't fire it dozens of times a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

Create a free account and register KiCad MCP Server — nothing to install.
Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.

RATE-LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

More KiCad MCP Server tools

Execute run_drc_check Run a Design Rule Check on a KiCad PCB file. Args: project_pa Execute generate_pcb_thumbnail Generate a thumbnail image of a KiCad PCB layout using kicad-cli. Args: Execute generate_project_thumbnail Generate a thumbnail of a KiCad project's PCB layout (Alias for generate_pcb_thumbnail). Write export_bom_csv Export a Bill of Materials for a KiCad project. This tool attempts to gen Read analyze_bom Analyze a KiCad project's Bill of Materials. This tool will look for BOM Read analyze_project_circuit_patterns Identify circuit patterns in a KiCad project's schematic. Args: Read analyze_schematic_connections Analyze connections in a KiCad schematic. This tool provides detailed ana Read extract_project_netlist Extract netlist from a KiCad project's schematic. This tool finds the sch

All 16 KiCad MCP Server tools →

Execute tools on other servers

Android Forensics ADB MCP Server adb_shell_command EMBA-MCP run_emba_scan Frida Game Hacking MCP remove_breakpoint Procmon request_elevation

Go deeper

High-risk tools in KiCad MCP Server → Every high-risk tool this server exposes, in one view.
All high-risk MCP tools → Every high-risk tool across the catalogue, and the policy pattern that contains them.
The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Agent sandbox → Bounding what an agent can execute and where the boundary should sit.
Least privilege for MCP → Granting agents the minimum tool surface the task needs.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about open_project

What does the open_project tool do? +

Open a KiCad project in KiCad. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the KiCad MCP Server MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.

How do I enforce a policy on open_project? +

Register the KiCad MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for open_project: allow, deny, rate-limit, or require approval. Point your MCP client at the PolicyLayer proxy URL and the rule is enforced on every call, before it reaches KiCad MCP Server. Nothing to install.

What risk level is open_project? +

open_project is a Execute tool with high risk. Execute tools should be rate-limited and have argument validation enabled.

Can I rate-limit open_project? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the open_project rule in your PolicyLayer policy. For example, setting max: 10 and window: 60 limits the tool to 10 calls per minute. Rate limits are tracked per agent session and reset automatically.

How do I block open_project completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for open_project. The AI agent will receive a policy violation error and cannot call the tool. You can also include a reason field to explain why the tool is blocked.

What MCP server provides open_project? +

open_project is provided by the KiCad MCP Server MCP server (lamaalrajih/kicad-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every KiCad MCP Server tool call.

Start from KiCad MCP Server, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.

CHECK YOUR STACK →