get_pads

Return pads for one PCB component, selected refs, or all components, including XY, layer, size and net.

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/get-pads.md

WHAT IT DOES

What get_pads does on KiCAD-MCP-Server

AI agents call get_pads 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 get_pads is rated Low

This is a read-only query operation that retrieves existing pad information from a PCB design. It has no side effects—it does not modify the design, execute external operations, or affect financial or destructive outcomes. The blast radius of misuse is minimal, as an AI agent could only gather information about the PCB layout.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'get_pads' and description 'Return pads' indicate data retrieval with no modification. The tool queries PCB component properties (XY, layer, size, net) without creating, modifying, or deleting anything.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

The rule that runs get_pads 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_pads, this is the rule to start with:

get_pads Allowed

get_pads 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": {
    "get_pads": {}
  }
}

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 get_pads call is checked against it from then on.

FAQ

Questions about get_pads

What does the get_pads tool do? +

Return pads for one PCB component, selected refs, or all components, including XY, layer, size and net. 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_pads? +

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

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

Can I rate-limit get_pads? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the get_pads 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_pads completely? +

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

get_pads 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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