launch_kicad_ui

THE RISK

High Risk

Why launch_kicad_ui needs a policy

This tool executes an external application (KiCAD) whose behavior depends on provided arguments. While launching a UI itself is typically benign, the ability to specify a project file creates a potential attack surface if an adversary can control the file path argument (e.g., path traversal, loading malicious project files).

From the tool's definition Tool description states 'Launch KiCAD UI, optionally with a project file' - this launches an external application with potential user-supplied arguments (project file path).

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

POLICY

How to control launch_kicad_ui

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 launch_kicad_ui:

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "launch_kicad_ui": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "launch_kicad_ui_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 10,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

launch_kicad_ui stays usable, but rate-capped — a runaway agent can't fire it dozens of times a minute. 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.

RATE-LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

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All 157 KiCAD-MCP-Server tools →

Execute tools on other servers

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Go deeper

High-risk tools in KiCAD-MCP-Server → Every high-risk tool this server exposes, in one view.
All high-risk MCP tools → Every high-risk tool across the catalogue, and the policy pattern that contains them.
The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Agent sandbox → Bounding what an agent can execute and where the boundary should sit.
Least privilege for MCP → Granting agents the minimum tool surface the task needs.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about launch_kicad_ui

What does the launch_kicad_ui tool do? +

Launch KiCAD UI, optionally with a project file. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the KiCAD-MCP-Server MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.

How do I enforce a policy on launch_kicad_ui? +

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

launch_kicad_ui is a Execute tool with high risk. Execute tools should be rate-limited and have argument validation enabled.

Can I rate-limit launch_kicad_ui? +

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

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

launch_kicad_ui 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 →