# export_pcb_pdf

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.

Agent View of the PolicyLayer registry record for `export_pcb_pdf`. HTML page: https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/export-pcb-pdf

## Facts

- Tool: `export_pcb_pdf`
- 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: Read (Low risk)
- Registry record: grade F, identity unverified
- Server rate-limited: no
- Parameters: 0
- Recommended policy verdict: Allowed

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

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

## 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 own definition: "Plot the PCB layout to PDF via kicad-cli... Reads the last SAVED state of the .kicad_pcb."

## Use case

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.

## Recommended policy (PolicyLayer)

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

```json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "export_pcb_pdf": {}
  }
}
```

## 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