How do I install the Kicad Footprint skill?

Run npx skillmds@latest add american-embedded/kicad-footprint in your terminal (requires Node.js), paste this page's agent-chat prompt into Claude, Cursor, or any MCP-connected agent, or download the SKILL.md file and copy it into your agent's skills directory.

What does the Kicad Footprint skill do?

Generate compliant KiCad footprints from official KiCad Library Tools It is listed under Coding & Dev Tools on SkillMD.

Is Kicad Footprint safe to use?

This skill has not completed SkillMD's automated safety review yet. SkillMD never runs a skill's scripts for you; review the SKILL.md before installing.

Which AI agents work with Kicad Footprint?

This skill is tagged as working with Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex. SKILL.md is an open format, so most agents that read a skills directory can load it too.

Is Kicad Footprint free to use?

Yes. Installing skills from SkillMD is free, and the skill stays under its author's original license.

Who published Kicad Footprint?

american-embedded (@american-embedded) published this skill. Their other Agent Skills are listed on their SkillMD profile.

Kicad Footprint by american-embedded

Name: Kicad Footprint
Author: american-embedded

File contents

This skill allows an LLM to generate KiCad footprints in a programmatic way, using KiCad Library Tools and the infrastructure built up around it. It does not necessarily provide a whole solution for library management.

Setup

Using the https://gitlab.com/kicad/libraries/kicad-library-tools repository, clone it somewhere for safe-keeping, possibly as a submodule under the existing project. Create a dedicated virtual environment for the Python dependencies it has. The docs directory has information on setup, including how to use ./manage.sh. As a rule, the user will want to also have 3D files generated for footprints, so include these dependencies.

Usage

First, identify if the footprint the user is asking for already exists in their KiCad library! If it does, there's no need to recreate it unless they are asking for modifications like solder mask expansion for BGAs or smaller courtyard areas, or silkscreen modification.
Next, identify what category the footprint the user is requesting likely corresponds to. Is it a QFN? Is it an LGA? What is it? If unsure, ask the user.
You should look at existing yaml definitions and the generator script for that category to see what options are available. Make sure your footprints look compliant with other similar footprints.
Did the user supply a PDF or image of the land pattern? Describe the land pattern using text before implementing a yaml description. "This pad is 5mm away from center in x, 5mm away in y" and similar descriptions are very helpful for your understanding. Confirm this understanding with the user unless they have written out a description in this way already. Even then, it's not a bad idea for you to also render an image of the land pattern for your own info.
Ask the user for the 3D dimensions if necessary to render the 3D model (unless the user specifies not to render a 3D model of course).
Verify the footprint by investigating the files and rendering them. Also do the same with the 3D model
When complete, ask the user where the footprint should live. If this info is already in context, please use it. (AGENTS.md or CLAUDE.md might contain that so if so please use that.)

Items to watch for that may require human intervention:

When pads are non-standard in shape
When an existing generator is not available, please ask before implementing a new generator

As a rule, keep any new yaml files co-located with the library that you generate from. Do not modify other footprints when making a new one.

---name: kicad-footprintdescription: Generate compliant KiCad footprints from official KiCad Library Tools---# This skill allows an LLM to generate KiCad footprints in a programmatic way, using KiCad Library Tools and the infrastructure built up around it. It does not necessarily provide a whole solution for library management.## SetupUsing the https://gitlab.com/kicad/libraries/kicad-library-tools repository, clone it somewhere for safe-keeping, possibly as a submodule under the existing project. Create a dedicated virtual environment for the Python dependencies it has. The docs directory has information on setup, including how to use ./manage.sh. As a rule, the user will want to also have 3D files generated for footprints, so include these dependencies.## Usage- First, identify if the footprint the user is asking for already exists in their KiCad library! If it does, there's no need to recreate it unless they are asking for modifications like solder mask expansion for BGAs or smaller courtyard areas, or silkscreen modification.- Next, identify what category the footprint the user is requesting likely corresponds to. Is it a QFN? Is it an LGA? What is it? If unsure, ask the user.- You should look at existing yaml definitions and the generator script for that category to see what options are available. Make sure your footprints look compliant with other similar footprints.- Did the user supply a PDF or image of the land pattern? Describe the land pattern using text before implementing a yaml description. "This pad is 5mm away from center in x, 5mm away in y" and similar descriptions are very helpful for your understanding. Confirm this understanding with the user unless they have written out a description in this way already. Even then, it's not a bad idea for you to also render an image of the land pattern for your own info.- Ask the user for the 3D dimensions if necessary to render the 3D model (unless the user specifies not to render a 3D model of course).- Verify the footprint by investigating the files and rendering them. Also do the same with the 3D model- When complete, ask the user where the footprint should live. If this info is already in context, please use it. (AGENTS.md or CLAUDE.md might contain that so if so please use that.)Items to watch for that may require human intervention:- When pads are non-standard in shape- When an existing generator is not available, please ask before implementing a new generatorAs a rule, keep any new yaml files co-located with the library that you generate from. Do not modify other footprints when making a new one.

Frequently asked questions

Kicad Footprint