# edit_footprint_pad

Edit an existing pad inside a .kicad_mod footprint file.

Agent View of the PolicyLayer registry record for `edit_footprint_pad`. HTML page: https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/edit-footprint-pad

## Facts

- Tool: `edit_footprint_pad`
- Server: KiCAD-MCP-Server (`mixelpixx/kicad-mcp-server`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server.md
- Homepage: https://github.com/mixelpixx/KiCAD-MCP-Server
- Risk category: Write (Medium risk)
- Registry record: grade F, identity unverified
- Server rate-limited: no
- Parameters: 0
- Recommended policy verdict: Rate-limited

## Example call (MCP tools/call, JSON-RPC 2.0)

```json
{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "id": 1,
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "edit_footprint_pad",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## Why edit_footprint_pad is rated Medium

This tool modifies footprint pad parameters in KiCAD design files, which are reversible changes. While modifications to PCB design data can impact manufacturing and assembly, the changes are not destructive (data is not deleted/purged) and do not execute arbitrary code or affect financial systems. Classified as Write rather than Execute because it modifies structured data fields rather than running code/commands.

From the tool's own definition: "Tool performs 'Edit an existing pad' operation on .kicad_mod footprint files. The verb 'edit' indicates modification of existing data structures (pad properties, position, size, shape, etc.) rather than creation from scratch or deletion."

## Use case

AI agents use edit_footprint_pad to create or update resources in KiCAD-MCP-Server, usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your KiCAD-MCP-Server environment.

## Recommended policy (PolicyLayer)

Verdict: **Rate-limited**. Enforced by the PolicyLayer MCP gateway (https://policylayer.com/mcp-gateway) before a call reaches KiCAD-MCP-Server:

```json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "edit_footprint_pad": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "edit_footprint_pad_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}
```

## Other tools on KiCAD-MCP-Server (230)

- `clear_board_outline` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/clear-board-outline.md
- `delete_component` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/delete-component.md
- `delete_graphic` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/delete-graphic.md
- `delete_schematic_component` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/delete-schematic-component.md
- `delete_schematic_net_label` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/delete-schematic-net-label.md
- `delete_schematic_wire` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/delete-schematic-wire.md
- `delete_symbol` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/delete-symbol.md
- `delete_trace` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/delete-trace.md
- `discard_or_reload` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/discard-or-reload.md
- `remove_hierarchical_sheet` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/remove-hierarchical-sheet.md
- `remove_library_table_entry` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/remove-library-table-entry.md
- `remove_schematic_component_property` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/remove-schematic-component-property.md
- `autoroute` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/autoroute.md
- `export_3d_cli` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/export-3d-cli.md
- `export_drill` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/export-drill.md
- `launch_kicad_ui` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/launch-kicad-ui.md
- `refill_zones` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/refill-zones.md
- `run_drc` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/run-drc.md
- `run_erc` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/run-erc.md
- `batch_list_symbol_pins` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/batch-list-symbol-pins.md
- `check_clearance` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/check-clearance.md
- `check_courtyard_overlaps` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/check-courtyard-overlaps.md
- `check_freerouting` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/check-freerouting.md
- `check_kicad_ui` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/check-kicad-ui.md
- `check_placement_clearance` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/check-placement-clearance.md
- `download_registry_part` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/download-registry-part.md
- `estimate_airwire_lengths` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/estimate-airwire-lengths.md
- `export_bom` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/export-bom.md
- `export_ipc2581` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/export-ipc2581.md
- `export_ipcd356` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/export-ipcd356.md
- …and 200 more: https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server.md

## For agents

This record is a snapshot. Live verdicts and the full registry:

- Check every server in your MCP config at once: `npx -y policylayer stack`
- Vet a server before you add it: install the mcp-precheck skill — `npx skills add https://policylayer.com` (skill text: https://policylayer.com/skill.md)
- Query the registry over MCP: endpoint `https://api.policylayer.com/mcp` — tools `check_mcp_server`, `check_mcp_stack`, `check_tool`, `search_registry`, `get_change_events`

---

Source: the PolicyLayer MCP registry — one continuously verified record per MCP server. Full record: https://policylayer.com/registry?q=mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server · API: https://policylayer.com/registry/api · Policy library: https://policylayer.com/policies/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server