// MCP TOOL REFERENCE

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
CategoryExecute

How to control autoroute ↓

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.

THE RISK

High Risk

Why autoroute needs a policy

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…

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

POLICY

How to control autoroute

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 autoroute:

policy.json

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

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.

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

Destructive delete_component Remove a component from the PCB by its reference designator. Destructive delete_schematic_component Remove a placed symbol from a KiCAD schematic (.kicad_sch). This removes the symbol insta Destructive delete_schematic_net_label Remove a net label from the schematic. Destructive delete_schematic_wire Remove a wire from the schematic by start and end coordinates. Destructive delete_symbol Remove a symbol from a .kicad_sym library file. Destructive delete_trace Delete traces from the PCB. Can delete by UUID, position, or bulk-delete all traces on a n Destructive remove_schematic_component_property Remove a single custom property from a placed schematic symbol. Built-in fields (Referenc Execute launch_kicad_ui Launch KiCAD UI, optionally with a project file

All 157 KiCAD-MCP-Server tools →

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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 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.

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 →

Free to start. No card required.

157 KiCAD-MCP-Server tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.