rename_symbol

Rename a symbol in a .kicad_sym library, including its sub-symbol shards (name_0_1, ...) and

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

Medium RISK CLASS

Category Write

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/rename-symbol.md

WHAT IT DOES

What rename_symbol does on KiCAD-MCP-Server

AI agents use rename_symbol to create or update resources in KiCAD-MCP-Server, usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your KiCAD-MCP-Server environment.

RISK

Why rename_symbol is rated Medium

This tool modifies symbol names in KiCAD library files, which is a reversible write operation. It does not create new data (that would be Execute/Write for circuit design), nor does it delete or irreversibly destroy symbols. The medium severity reflects that renaming symbols across a library could impact design references if done incorrectly, but the change is not destructive and can be undone.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'rename_symbol' and description 'Rename a symbol in a .kicad_sym library' indicate modification of existing data. The action is reversible (a symbol can be renamed again), and affects metadata/naming rather than creation or deletion.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

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

rename_symbol Rate-limited

rename_symbol stays usable, but capped: an agent stuck in a loop can't make hundreds of changes a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

View as policy code

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "rename_symbol": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "rename_symbol_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

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 rename_symbol call is checked against it from then on.

FAQ

Questions about rename_symbol

What does the rename_symbol tool do? +

Rename a symbol in a .kicad_sym library, including its sub-symbol shards (name_0_1, ...) and. It is categorised as a Write tool in the KiCAD-MCP-Server MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on rename_symbol? +

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

rename_symbol is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.

Can I rate-limit rename_symbol? +

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

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

rename_symbol 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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