run_erc

Runs the KiCAD Electrical Rules Check (ERC) on a schematic and returns all violations. Use after wiring to verify the schematic before generating a netlist.

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/run-erc.md

WHAT IT DOES

What run_erc does on KiCAD-MCP-Server

AI agents invoke run_erc 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 run_erc is rated High

The tool actively executes a validation process (ERC) on a schematic file. While it is primarily read-like in that it returns results without modifying data, it 'runs' an external operation whose effects depend on the schematic state. No data is deleted or modified, but it triggers an external tool execution rather than simply querying stored data, placing it in the Execute category.

From the tool's definition 'Runs the KiCAD Electrical Rules Check (ERC) on a schematic and returns all violations'

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

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

run_erc Rate-limited

run_erc 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": {
    "run_erc": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "run_erc_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 run_erc call is checked against it from then on.

FAQ

Questions about run_erc

What does the run_erc tool do? +

Runs the KiCAD Electrical Rules Check (ERC) on a schematic and returns all violations. Use after wiring to verify the schematic before generating a netlist. 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 run_erc? +

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

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

Can I rate-limit run_erc? +

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

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

run_erc 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

run on 0sec →shortcuts_run on Apple Apps MCP →run_emba_scan on EMBA-MCP → All high-risk MCP tools → The MCP Attack Database →

Guides

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