search_symbols

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

Low RISK CLASS

Category Read

Parameters 00 required

Recommended Allowedsee the rule below

Registry record Grade F, identity unverified Pull the record →

This record as markdown: /tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/search-symbols.md

WHAT IT DOES

What search_symbols does on KiCAD-MCP-Server

AI agents call search_symbols to retrieve information from KiCAD-MCP-Server without modifying anything. It is typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.

RISK

Why search_symbols is rated Low

This tool performs a read-only search operation on local KiCAD symbol libraries. It queries existing data by name, ID, description, manufacturer, MPN, or category and returns references without creating, modifying, or deleting any symbols or data. There are no side effects or irreversible actions.

From the tool's definition Tool name is 'search_symbols' and description states it 'Search for symbols in local KiCAD symbol libraries' and 'Returns symbol references'. The verbs 'search', 'find', and 'returns' indicate query/retrieval operations with no modification of state.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

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

search_symbols Allowed

search_symbols is read-only, so it stays allowed. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

View as policy code

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "search_symbols": {}
  }
}

ALLOW ONLY 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 search_symbols call is checked against it from then on.

FAQ

Questions about search_symbols

What does the search_symbols tool do? +

Search for symbols in local KiCAD symbol libraries. Searches by: symbol name, LCSC ID, description, manufacturer, MPN, category. Use this to find components already in your local libraries (e.g., JLCPCB-KiCad-Library). Returns symbol references that can be used directly in schematics. It is categorised as a Read tool in the KiCAD-MCP-Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on search_symbols? +

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

search_symbols is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.

Can I rate-limit search_symbols? +

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

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

search_symbols 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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