export_odb

Export the PCB in ODB++ format via kicad-cli. Single job archive (copper, drill, placement, components, nets, outline) widely used by CAM/MES/assembly. Reads the last SAVED state of the .kicad_pcb.

SERVERKiCAD-MCP-Server SOURCEmixelpixx/kicad-mcp-server

Low RISK CLASS

Category Read

Parameters 00 required

Recommended Allowedsee the rule below

Registry record Grade F, identity unverified Pull the record →

This record as markdown: /tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/export-odb.md

WHAT IT DOES

What export_odb does on KiCAD-MCP-Server

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

RISK

Why export_odb is rated Low

The tool exports/converts an existing PCB file to ODB++ format. It reads the saved state and produces an output archive. No modification of the source file occurs. However, it does write a new output file to disk, which is a side effect, but the primary action is reading and converting existing data. Severity is low since misuse would at most produce unwanted export files.

From the tool's definition 'Reads the last SAVED state of the .kicad_pcb' and 'Export the PCB in ODB++ format' — this is an export/read operation that generates a file from existing data without modifying the source PCB file.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

The rule that runs export_odb safely

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and KiCAD-MCP-Server, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For export_odb, this is the rule to start with:

export_odb Allowed

export_odb is read-only, so it stays allowed. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

View as policy code

policy.json

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

ALLOW ONLY THIS TOOL → Instant setup, no code required.

The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect KiCAD-MCP-Server, apply this rule, and every export_odb call is checked against it from then on.

FAQ

Questions about export_odb

What does the export_odb tool do? +

Export the PCB in ODB++ format via kicad-cli. Single job archive (copper, drill, placement, components, nets, outline) widely used by CAM/MES/assembly. Reads the last SAVED state of the .kicad_pcb. 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 export_odb? +

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

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

Can I rate-limit export_odb? +

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

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

export_odb 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.

KEEP EXPLORING

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