A full-stack PCB design automation skill for KiCad that handles everything from circuit schematics to manufacturing exports and PCBWay ordering.
Install & Download
1. ClawHub CLI
The fastest way to install a skill directly from the registry.
npx clawhub@latest install kicad-pcb
2. Manual Installation
Copy the skill folder to one of these locations
~/.openclaw/skills/ <project>/skills/ Priority: Workspace > Local > Bundled
3. Prompt Installation
Copy this prompt to OpenClaw to install it automatically.
Help me install kicad-pcb using Clawhub. If Clawhub is not installed, install it first (npm i -g clawhub).
Prefer to download?
Get the raw skill files in a ZIP archive.
What is KiCad PCB Automation?
The KiCad PCB Automation skill is a powerful tool designed to streamline the hardware development lifecycle. By integrating directly with the KiCad CLI, it allows developers to translate natural language descriptions into professional-grade circuit designs. As part of the Openclaw Skills ecosystem, this tool bridges the gap between conceptual electronics and physical manufacturing.
This skill automates repetitive tasks such as component placement, netlist importing, and design rule checks (DRC). Whether you are building a simple LED blinker or a complex Arduino shield, it provides a structured pipeline to ensure your designs are production-ready and compatible with major fabricators like PCBWay.
KiCad PCB Automation Use Cases
- Rapidly prototyping circuits from natural language descriptions.
- Automating the generation of manufacturing-ready Gerber and drill files.
- Performing automated electrical and design rule checks to prevent fabrication errors.
- Getting instant quotes and preparing orders for PCBWay manufacturing.
- Standardizing hardware projects using pre-defined circuit templates for Openclaw Skills.
How KiCad PCB Automation Works
- The user provides a circuit description or initializes a new project via the CLI.
- Components are added and connected using programmatic commands or template-based logic.
- A schematic is generated, followed by an automated electrical rules check (ERC).
- The design is imported into the PCB layout phase where auto-placement and routing are performed.
- Design Rule Checks (DRC) are executed to verify board integrity.
- Manufacturing files, including Gerbers, BOM, and 3D models, are exported and packaged for fabrication.
KiCad PCB Automation Setup
To use this skill within the Openclaw Skills framework, ensure KiCad 8.0+ is installed on your system.
# Install KiCad on Ubuntu/Debian
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:kicad/kicad-8.0-releases
sudo apt update
sudo apt install kicad
# Install required Python dependencies
pip install pillow cairosvg
Configure your environment by creating a ~/.kicad-pcb/config.json file with your PCBWay credentials and preferred paths.
KiCad PCB Automation Data Schema & Taxonomy
The skill manages project data through a structured KiCad project directory. Key files and metadata include:
| File Type | Description |
|---|---|
.kicad_sch |
The primary schematic file containing component logic. |
.kicad_pcb |
The board layout file containing traces and footprints. |
/gerbers |
A directory containing all fabrication-ready layers (GTL, GBL, etc.). |
bom.csv |
The Bill of Materials for component procurement. |
config.json |
Local configuration for fab house preferences and CLI paths. |
KiCad PCB Automation Advanced Features
- Natural language to circuit generation using the
from-descriptioncommand. - Multi-layer PCB support with customizable stackups for Openclaw Skills users.
- Automated 3D model export in STEP and GLB formats for mechanical integration.
- Seamless PCBWay integration for instant quoting and automated cart preparation.
- Extensible template system for common circuits like USB-C power delivery and microcontroller shields.
SKILL.md
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