// MCP TOOL REFERENCE

Low Risk

batch_list_symbol_pins

ServerKiCAD-MCP-Server
CategoryRead

WHAT IT DOES

What batch_list_symbol_pins does on KiCAD-MCP-Server

AI agents call batch_list_symbol_pins to retrieve information from KiCAD-MCP-Server without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.

THE RISK

Low Risk

Why batch_list_symbol_pins needs a policy

This tool queries and retrieves symbol metadata (pin information and bounding boxes) without any side effects. It is a read-only data retrieval operation that supports design queries, fitting the 'Read' category of tools that retrieve or query data with no side effects. The low severity reflects that misuse would only affect information gathering, not design integrity or external systems.

From the tool's definition Tool returns pin names, numbers, types, and coordinates for multiple symbols. Description states 'Return pin names, numbers, types, and symbol-local coordinates' and 'Each result includes pins... and body_bbox'.

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

POLICY

How to control batch_list_symbol_pins

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 batch_list_symbol_pins:

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "batch_list_symbol_pins": {}
  }
}

batch_list_symbol_pins is read-only, so it stays allowed — but 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.

CAP 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 autoroute Run Freerouting autorouter on the current PCB. Exports to Specctra DSN, runs Freerouting C

All 157 KiCAD-MCP-Server tools →

Read tools on other servers

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Go deeper

The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Data exfiltration → How read access becomes an exfiltration channel when chained with untrusted content.
MCP token cost → What connecting this server costs in context-window tokens on every request.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about batch_list_symbol_pins

What does the batch_list_symbol_pins tool do? +

Return pin names, numbers, types, and symbol-local coordinates for multiple symbols in a single call. Use instead of calling list_symbol_pins repeatedly when placing a subcircuit — saves 5–10 round-trips. Each result includes pins (with x/y/angle in symbol-local coords, Y-up per KiCAD lib convention) and body_bbox (bounding box of pin envelope ±1.27mm, symbol-local coords). IMPORTANT: coordinates are symbol-local (Y-up, pre-rotation); after placement use get_schematic_pin_locations for post-rotation schematic coordinates. Set compact=true for simple 2-pin passives (Device:R/C/L) to get just pin_count, body_bbox, and is_symmetric. It is categorised as a Read tool in the KiCAD-MCP-Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on batch_list_symbol_pins? +

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

batch_list_symbol_pins is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.

Can I rate-limit batch_list_symbol_pins? +

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

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

batch_list_symbol_pins 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.