launch_kicad_ui

Launch KiCAD UI, optionally with a project file

SERVERKiCAD-MCP-Server SOURCEmixelpixx/kicad-mcp-server

High RISK CLASS

Category Execute

Parameters 00 required

Recommended Rate-limitedsee the rule below

Registry record Grade F, identity unverified Pull the record →

This record as markdown: /tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/launch-kicad-ui.md

WHAT IT DOES

What launch_kicad_ui does on KiCAD-MCP-Server

AI agents invoke launch_kicad_ui to trigger actions in KiCAD-MCP-Server. What it does depends on the arguments the agent supplies, and its effects often reach beyond the immediate call: builds kicked off, notifications sent, workflows started.

RISK

Why launch_kicad_ui is rated High

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).

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

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

launch_kicad_ui Rate-limited

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.

View as policy code

policy.json

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

RATE-LIMIT 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 launch_kicad_ui call is checked against it from then on.

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.

KEEP EXPLORING

More on KiCAD-MCP-Server, and thousands of servers like it.

This server

All 231 KiCAD-MCP-Server tools → High-risk tools on this server →

Across the catalogue

All high-risk MCP tools → The MCP Attack Database →

Guides

Govern code and CI agents →Agent sandbox →Least privilege for MCP →