check_courtyard_overlaps

THE RISK

Low Risk

Why check_courtyard_overlaps needs a policy

This is a design validation tool that analyzes footprint properties and reports overlaps or boundary violations. It retrieves and checks design data (courtyard geometry) but does not create, modify, or delete PCB elements. The operation is a read-only inspection with no side effects on the design, similar to linting or DRC (design rule check) operations.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'check_courtyard_overlaps' and description 'Detect courtyard overlaps between footprints and (optionally) flag courtyards that extend past the board outline' indicate inspection and analysis operations.

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

POLICY

How to control check_courtyard_overlaps

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 check_courtyard_overlaps:

policy.json

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

check_courtyard_overlaps 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.

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EXPLORE

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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 check_courtyard_overlaps

What does the check_courtyard_overlaps tool do? +

Detect courtyard overlaps between footprints and (optionally) flag courtyards that extend past the board outline. Accepts a. 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 check_courtyard_overlaps? +

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

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

Can I rate-limit check_courtyard_overlaps? +

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

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

check_courtyard_overlaps 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.

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