export_footprint_svg · Kicad MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What export_footprint_svg does on Kicad

AI agents use export_footprint_svg to create or update resources in Kicad — usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your Kicad environment.

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why export_footprint_svg needs a policy

Exporting data to a file format is a write operation—it creates new data in SVG format. However, it is reversible (the SVG can be deleted or overwritten), causes no destructive changes to the underlying KiCad project, and does not execute arbitrary code or move data of financial value. The blast radius is minimal, as an AI misuse would only result in unwanted SVG exports, which are harmless outputs. Severity is low.

From the tool's definition The tool name 'export_footprint_svg' and description 'Export footprint to SVG' indicate it creates/generates a new SVG file output from existing KiCad footprint data. This is a write operation that produces a new file artifact.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

export_footprint_svg Rate-limited

export_footprint_svg 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": {
    "export_footprint_svg": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "export_footprint_svg_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

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PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: every tool call is checked against your rule before it reaches Kicad, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about export_footprint_svg

What does the export_footprint_svg tool do? +

Export footprint to SVG. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Kicad MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on export_footprint_svg? +

Register the Kicad MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for export_footprint_svg: 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. Nothing to install.

What risk level is export_footprint_svg? +

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

Can I rate-limit export_footprint_svg? +

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

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

export_footprint_svg is provided by the Kicad MCP server (productofamerica/mcp-server-kicad). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.