Query copper zones (filled pours) on the board with optional filters by net, layer, or bounding box. Returns zone net, layers, priority, fill state, and bounding box. Useful for auditing power planes and GND pours that query_traces does not include.
AI agents call query_zones to retrieve information from KiCAD-MCP-Server without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
query_zones retrieves and inspects existing board design metadata (copper zone properties). It has no side effects, does not modify the PCB design, and does not execute arbitrary code or trigger external actions. This is a straightforward read operation for auditing purposes.
From the tool's definition Tool description states it 'Query[ies] copper zones' and 'Returns zone net, layers, priority, fill state, and bounding box.' The verb 'query' combined with 'returns' data indicates retrieval only.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access query_zones gives an agent:
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 query_zones:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"query_zones": {}
}
}query_zones is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
Free to start. No card required.
Query copper zones (filled pours) on the board with optional filters by net, layer, or bounding box. Returns zone net, layers, priority, fill state, and bounding box. Useful for auditing power planes and GND pours that query_traces does not include. 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 query_zones: 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.
query_zones 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 query_zones 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 query_zones. 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.
query_zones 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.
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.
Free to start. No card required.
157 KiCAD-MCP-Server tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.