autoroute

Run Freerouting autorouter on the current PCB. Exports to Specctra DSN, runs Freerouting CLI, and imports the routed SES result. Requires Java 11+ and freerouting.jar (see check_freerouting). Set

SERVERKiCAD-MCP-Server SOURCEmixelpixx/kicad-mcp-server

High RISK CLASS

Category Execute

Parameters 00 required

Recommended Rate-limitedsee the rule below

Registry record Grade F, identity unverified Pull the record →

This record as markdown: /tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/autoroute.md

WHAT IT DOES

What autoroute does on KiCAD-MCP-Server

AI agents invoke autoroute to trigger actions in KiCAD-MCP-Server. What it does depends on the arguments the agent supplies, and its effects often reach beyond the immediate call: builds kicked off, notifications sent, workflows started.

RISK

Why autoroute is rated High

This tool executes an external command-line tool (Freerouting) with the PCB design as input and modifies the PCB design with the routed result. While the output is reversible (routes could theoretically be undone), the tool's primary function is to trigger external code execution (Freerouting CLI) and apply its results to the design.

From the tool's definition Tool description states: 'Run Freerouting autorouter on the current PCB. Exports to Specctra DSN, runs Freerouting CLI, and imports the routed SES result.' The explicit 'Run' verb combined with 'runs Freerouting CLI' and external command execution, plus…

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

The rule that runs autoroute safely

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and KiCAD-MCP-Server, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For autoroute, this is the rule to start with:

autoroute Rate-limited

autoroute 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.

View as policy code

policy.json

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

RATE-LIMIT THIS TOOL → Instant setup, no code required.

The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect KiCAD-MCP-Server, apply this rule, and every autoroute call is checked against it from then on.

FAQ

Questions about autoroute

What does the autoroute tool do? +

Run Freerouting autorouter on the current PCB. Exports to Specctra DSN, runs Freerouting CLI, and imports the routed SES result. Requires Java 11+ and freerouting.jar (see check_freerouting). Set. 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 autoroute? +

Register the KiCAD-MCP-Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for autoroute: 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 autoroute? +

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

Can I rate-limit autoroute? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the autoroute 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 autoroute completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for autoroute. 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 autoroute? +

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

KEEP EXPLORING

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