get_component_list
Return a list of all components on the PCB, optionally filtered by layer or bounding box region.
This record as markdown: /tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/get-component-list.md
What get_component_list does on KiCAD-MCP-Server
AI agents call get_component_list 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.
Why get_component_list is rated Low
This tool retrieves and queries PCB component data without creating, modifying, deleting, or executing any operations. It has optional filtering parameters (layer, bounding box) but these are query constraints, not actions that change state. The blast radius of misuse is minimal—an agent could see component information it shouldn't, but cannot modify the design or trigger external operations.
From the tool's definition Tool name is 'get_component_list' and description states it 'Return[s] a list of all components on the PCB'. The verb 'Return' and 'list' indicate data retrieval with no modification.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
The rule that runs get_component_list 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 get_component_list, this is the rule to start with:
get_component_list is read-only, so it stays allowed. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect KiCAD-MCP-Server, apply this rule, and every get_component_list call is checked against it from then on.
Questions about get_component_list
Return a list of all components on the PCB, optionally filtered by layer or bounding box region. It is categorised as a Read tool in the KiCAD-MCP-Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the KiCAD-MCP-Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for get_component_list: 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.
get_component_list is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the get_component_list 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.
Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for get_component_list. 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.
get_component_list 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.
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