delete_component

THE RISK

Critical Risk

Why delete_component needs a policy

This tool performs an irreversible deletion operation on PCB design data. Removing a component cannot be easily undone and represents a destructive modification to the board design.

From the tool's definition Tool name contains 'delete' and description states 'Remove a component from the PCB by its reference designator.' The action irreversibly removes a component from the circuit board design.

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

POLICY

How to control delete_component

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 delete_component:

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "hide": [
    "delete_component"
  ]
}

delete_component disappears from the agent's tool list entirely, and any attempt to call it is denied. The rest of the server keeps working.

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.

RESTRICT THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

More KiCAD-MCP-Server tools

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 Execute launch_kicad_ui Launch KiCAD UI, optionally with a project file

All 157 KiCAD-MCP-Server tools →

Destructive tools on other servers

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Go deeper

Critical-risk tools in KiCAD-MCP-Server → Every critical-risk tool this server exposes, in one view.
All critical-risk MCP tools → Every critical-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.
Blast radius → How much damage one compromised or confused agent can do — and how to bound it.
Tool call approval → Approval gates on individual tool calls: auto-allow, prompt, or deny.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about delete_component

What does the delete_component tool do? +

Remove a component from the PCB by its reference designator. It is categorised as a Destructive tool in the KiCAD-MCP-Server MCP Server, which means it can permanently delete or destroy data. Block by default and require explicit approval.

How do I enforce a policy on delete_component? +

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

delete_component is a Destructive tool with critical risk. Critical-risk tools should be blocked by default and only enabled with explicit human approval.

Can I rate-limit delete_component? +

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

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

delete_component 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 →