get_pad_position

THE RISK

Low Risk

Why get_pad_position needs a policy

This tool retrieves positional metadata from a PCB design. It performs a read-only query to obtain pad coordinates for informational purposes (specifically mentioned for routing preparation). No data is created, modified, deleted, or executed. The operation is purely informational with no blast radius if an AI agent misuses it—it cannot cause unintended modifications to the PCB design or trigger external operations.

From the tool's definition Tool description states 'Return the exact XY position' - this is a query operation that retrieves data about pad coordinates without modifying, executing code, or causing side effects.

Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access get_pad_position gives an agent:

POLICY

How to control get_pad_position

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and KiCAD-MCP-Server, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for get_pad_position:

policy.json

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

get_pad_position is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

Create a free account and register KiCAD-MCP-Server — nothing to install.
Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.

CAP THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

More KiCAD-MCP-Server tools

Destructive delete_component Remove a component from the PCB by its reference designator. Destructive delete_schematic_component Remove a placed symbol from a KiCAD schematic (.kicad_sch). This removes the symbol insta Destructive delete_schematic_net_label Remove a net label from the schematic. Destructive delete_schematic_wire Remove a wire from the schematic by start and end coordinates. Destructive delete_symbol Remove a symbol from a .kicad_sym library file. Destructive delete_trace Delete traces from the PCB. Can delete by UUID, position, or bulk-delete all traces on a n Destructive remove_schematic_component_property Remove a single custom property from a placed schematic symbol. Built-in fields (Referenc Execute autoroute Run Freerouting autorouter on the current PCB. Exports to Specctra DSN, runs Freerouting C

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Go deeper

The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Data exfiltration → How read access becomes an exfiltration channel when chained with untrusted content.
MCP token cost → What connecting this server costs in context-window tokens on every request.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about get_pad_position

What does the get_pad_position tool do? +

Return the exact XY position of a specific pad on a PCB component. Use this before routing to get accurate start/end coordinates. 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 get_pad_position? +

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

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

Can I rate-limit get_pad_position? +

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

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

get_pad_position 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.

Enforce policy on every KiCAD-MCP-Server tool call.

Start from KiCAD-MCP-Server, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.

CHECK YOUR STACK →