export_pcb_pdf

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-pcb-pdf.md

WHAT IT DOES

What export_pcb_pdf does on KiCAD-MCP-Server

AI agents call export_pcb_pdf 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_pcb_pdf is rated Low

This tool reads the saved PCB file and exports it to PDF format. It does not modify any design data, execute arbitrary code, or perform destructive operations. It is essentially a read/export operation that generates a PDF representation of the existing PCB layout.

From the tool's definition Plot the PCB layout to PDF via kicad-cli... Reads the last SAVED state of the .kicad_pcb.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

The rule that runs export_pcb_pdf 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_pcb_pdf, this is the rule to start with:

export_pcb_pdf Allowed

export_pcb_pdf 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_pcb_pdf": {}
  }
}

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_pcb_pdf call is checked against it from then on.

FAQ

Questions about export_pcb_pdf

What does the export_pcb_pdf tool do? +

Plot the PCB layout to PDF via kicad-cli, exposing the full layer-plot option set (layer + common-layer lists, mirror, refdes/value exclusion, border+title, soldermask subtraction, DNP fab-layer modes, negative, black-and-white, theme, drill shape, and single/separate/multipage output modes). Rich CLI sibling of export_pdf. 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_pcb_pdf? +

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

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

Can I rate-limit export_pcb_pdf? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the export_pcb_pdf 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_pcb_pdf completely? +

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

export_pcb_pdf 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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