# find_overlapping_elements

Detect spatially overlapping symbols, wires, and labels in the schematic. Finds duplicate power symbols at the same position, collinear overlapping wires, and labels stacked on top of each other.

Agent View of the PolicyLayer registry record for `find_overlapping_elements`. HTML page: https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/find-overlapping-elements

## Facts

- Tool: `find_overlapping_elements`
- 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": "find_overlapping_elements",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## Why find_overlapping_elements is rated Low

This tool retrieves or queries the state of the schematic to identify spatial overlaps. It has no side effects, creates no modifications, and does not execute external operations or manipulate data. It is a read-only inspection tool suitable for validation and debugging of circuit designs.

From the tool's own definition: "Tool name 'find_overlapping_elements' and description 'Detect spatially overlapping symbols, wires, and labels' — performs analysis and detection without modifying the schematic. Uses verbs like 'Detect' and 'Finds' indicating inspection/query operations."

## Use case

AI agents call find_overlapping_elements 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": {
    "find_overlapping_elements": {}
  }
}
```

## 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