Remove a footprint by reference designator.
AI agents call remove_footprint to permanently remove resources in Kicad — typically in cleanup and lifecycle workflows. It does its job in a single call, and there is no undo.
This tool irreversibly deletes a footprint component from a KiCad PCB design. Footprints are critical design elements; their removal cannot be reversed through normal operations and would require manual recovery or undo. The high blast radius stems from accidental removal of multiple footprints or critical components during an automated design task, causing significant rework.
From the tool's definition remove_footprint removes a footprint by reference designator. The verb 'remove' and the functional context (deleting a design element from a PCB) indicate permanent deletion of data that cannot be undone without undo/redo.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Remove a footprint by reference designator. It is categorised as a Destructive tool in the Kicad MCP Server, which means it can permanently delete or destroy data. Block by default and require explicit approval.
Register the Kicad MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for remove_footprint: 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.
remove_footprint is a Destructive tool with critical risk. Critical-risk tools should be blocked by default and only enabled with explicit human approval.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the remove_footprint 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.
Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for remove_footprint. 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.
remove_footprint 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.
Every MCP server has a record like this.
Type a name, get the same breakdown: verified identity, auth posture, risk grade, capabilities, recommended policy.
Teams ship this data inside their own products. See what a licence covers →