# search_tools

Search all available KiCAD tools by keyword. Returns matching tool names and their categories.

Agent View of the PolicyLayer registry record for `search_tools`. HTML page: https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/search-tools

## Facts

- Tool: `search_tools`
- Server: KiCAD-MCP-Server (`mixelpixx/kicad-mcp-server`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server.md
- Homepage: https://github.com/mixelpixx/KiCAD-MCP-Server
- Risk category: Read (Low risk)
- Registry record: grade F, identity unverified
- Server rate-limited: no
- Parameters: 0
- Recommended policy verdict: Allowed

## Example call (MCP tools/call, JSON-RPC 2.0)

```json
{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "id": 1,
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "search_tools",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## Why search_tools is rated Low

This is a search/query function that discovers and lists KiCAD tools based on keywords. It has no side effects, creates no data modifications, and merely returns informational results. It falls squarely into the Read category with low severity since misuse would only result in information disclosure, not operational impact on the KiCAD project.

From the tool's own definition: "Tool name 'search_tools' and description 'Search all available KiCAD tools by keyword. Returns matching tool names and their categories.' indicate a read-only query operation that retrieves information about available tools without modifying any data."

## Use case

AI agents call search_tools 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.

## Recommended policy (PolicyLayer)

Verdict: **Allowed**. Enforced by the PolicyLayer MCP gateway (https://policylayer.com/mcp-gateway) before a call reaches KiCAD-MCP-Server:

```json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "search_tools": {}
  }
}
```

## Other tools on KiCAD-MCP-Server (230)

- `clear_board_outline` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/clear-board-outline.md
- `delete_component` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/delete-component.md
- `delete_graphic` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/delete-graphic.md
- `delete_schematic_component` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/delete-schematic-component.md
- `delete_schematic_net_label` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/delete-schematic-net-label.md
- `delete_schematic_wire` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/delete-schematic-wire.md
- `delete_symbol` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/delete-symbol.md
- `delete_trace` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/delete-trace.md
- `discard_or_reload` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/discard-or-reload.md
- `remove_hierarchical_sheet` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/remove-hierarchical-sheet.md
- `remove_library_table_entry` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/remove-library-table-entry.md
- `remove_schematic_component_property` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/remove-schematic-component-property.md
- `autoroute` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/autoroute.md
- `export_3d_cli` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/export-3d-cli.md
- `export_drill` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/export-drill.md
- `launch_kicad_ui` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/launch-kicad-ui.md
- `refill_zones` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/refill-zones.md
- `run_drc` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/run-drc.md
- `run_erc` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/run-erc.md
- `batch_list_symbol_pins` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/batch-list-symbol-pins.md
- `check_clearance` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/check-clearance.md
- `check_courtyard_overlaps` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/check-courtyard-overlaps.md
- `check_freerouting` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/check-freerouting.md
- `check_kicad_ui` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/check-kicad-ui.md
- `check_placement_clearance` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/check-placement-clearance.md
- `download_registry_part` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/download-registry-part.md
- `estimate_airwire_lengths` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/estimate-airwire-lengths.md
- `export_bom` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/export-bom.md
- `export_ipc2581` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/export-ipc2581.md
- `export_ipcd356` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/export-ipcd356.md
- …and 200 more: https://policylayer.com/tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server.md

## For agents

This record is a snapshot. Live verdicts and the full registry:

- Check every server in your MCP config at once: `npx -y policylayer stack`
- Vet a server before you add it: install the mcp-precheck skill — `npx skills add https://policylayer.com` (skill text: https://policylayer.com/skill.md)
- Query the registry over MCP: endpoint `https://api.policylayer.com/mcp` — tools `check_mcp_server`, `check_mcp_stack`, `check_tool`, `search_registry`, `get_change_events`

---

Source: the PolicyLayer MCP registry — one continuously verified record per MCP server. Full record: https://policylayer.com/registry?q=mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server · API: https://policylayer.com/registry/api · Policy library: https://policylayer.com/policies/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server