KiCad 10.0.3 Gap Audit Report

This report outlines the feature parity gap analysis between KiCad 10.0.3 headless/CLI surface capabilities and the existing tools offered by the KiCad MCP server.

Gap Analysis Matrix

KiCad surface	Official command/API	Existing MCP tool	Status	Evidence	Test file	Notes
Jobset Run	kicad-cli jobset run --file <jobset> --output <output> --stop-on-error <project>	None	missing	kicad-cli jobset run --help	tests/integration/test_jobset_tools.py	Add jobset_run and jobset_validate tools.
Footprint SVG Export	kicad-cli fp export svg	fp_export	partial	kicad-cli fp export --help shows only svg is supported.	tests/integration/test_fp_sym_cli_tools.py	Need fp_export_svg and fp_upgrade with correct parameters.
Symbol SVG Export	kicad-cli sym export svg	sym_export	partial	kicad-cli sym export --help shows only svg is supported.	tests/integration/test_fp_sym_cli_tools.py	Need sym_export_svg and sym_upgrade with correct parameters.
Schematic exports (DXF/SVG/PS/Python-BOM)	kicad-cli sch export dxf/svg/ps/python-bom	export_sch_svg, export_sch_dxf, export_sch_python_bom (draft modifications only)	partial	kicad-cli sch export --help	tests/integration/test_export_cli_parity.py	Need clean, standard schematic export wrappers for DXF, SVG, Postscript, and Legacy Python BOM, plus schematic upgrade tool.
PCB 3D exports (BREP/GLB/GENCAD/PLY/STL/U3D/VRML)	kicad-cli pcb export brep/glb/gencad/ply/stl/u3d/vrml	None (except STEP/STEPZ/XAO)	partial	kicad-cli pcb export --help	tests/integration/test_export_cli_parity.py	Expose remaining 3D formats via the CLI with standard 3D export options.
PCB Postscript / Stats export	kicad-cli pcb export ps/stats	None (except basic stats via get_board_stats)	partial	kicad-cli pcb export --help	tests/integration/test_export_cli_parity.py	Expose pcb_export_ps and pcb_export_stats tools.
PCB render options	kicad-cli pcb render	export_3d_render	partial	kicad-cli pcb render --help	tests/integration/test_export_cli_parity.py	Expand render options to support side, quality, preset, background, lights, zoom, rotate, perspective, floor, etc.
PCB Import	kicad-cli pcb import --format <format>	mfg_import_allegro (blocked), mfg_import_pads, mfg_import_geda	partial	kicad-cli pcb import --help	tests/integration/test_export_cli_parity.py	Standardize to pcb_import_board and block/remove unsupported formats (e.g. Allegro).
PCB / Schematic Upgrade	kicad-cli pcb/sch upgrade	pcb_upgrade, sch_upgrade	supported	kicad-cli pcb/sch upgrade --help	tests/integration/test_manufacturing_tools.py	Already implemented but verify safety defaults (dry_run=True by default).
Empty Project Reads	Internal file parsing	Various read tools	partial	Tracebacks or exceptions on empty projects	tests/integration/test_empty_project_read_tools.py	Read tools should handle empty/minimal projects cleanly without raising exceptions.
IPC Lifecycle	Socket connection	kicad_get_server_info	partial	Disconnect and reconnection bugs	tests/integration/test_ipc_lifecycle.py	Add a connection lifecycle wrapper with caching and automatic retries.
SPICE Model Assignment	Schematic properties	None	missing	.kicad_sch property mappings	tests/unit/test_spice_model_assignment.py	Add tools for assigning SPICE models and managing simulation libraries.
DRC Exclusions	.kicad_dru / Board properties	None	missing	DRC exclusion storage in .kicad_dru	tests/unit/test_drc_exclusions.py	Add tools to list, create, and remove DRC exclusions.
ERC Rule Severity	.kicad_pro rule configuration	None	missing	Severity settings in project config	tests/unit/test_erc_rules.py	Add rules for listing, editing, and resetting ERC rule severity.
Net Statistics	Board analysis	None	missing	Track/pad/via metrics	tests/integration/test_pcb_net_inspector.py	Add pcb_get_net_statistics and pcb_net_inspector.
3D Model Management	Footprint references	None	missing	Footprint file models	tests/integration/test_library_3d_models.py	Add tools for footprint 3D model paths, bulk assignment, and search.
Test Points	Footprint placement	None	missing	Test point insertion and coverage	tests/integration/test_manufacturing_test_points.py	Add tools for ICT test points and coverage checks.
Embedded Project Files	Project metadata	None	blocked	KiCad 10 has no native embedded project files support	tests/integration/test_project_embedded_files.py	Only document/raise unsupported error as KiCad 10 has no native support.
Variants	Project variant schema	variant_list	partial	KiCad variant properties	tests/integration/test_variants_extended.py	Add variant_clone, variant_delete, and extended variant support.
Subcircuit templates	template libraries	sch_apply_subcircuit_template	partial	YAML templates	tests/unit/test_subcircuit_templates.py	Add new minimal templates for nrf52840, ch32v003, etc.

Actions Plan

1. Phase 1: Fix readme version drift and tools reference checks.
2. Phase 2: Implement missing CLI Parity wrappers (jobset_run, footprint/symbol SVG exports and upgrades, schematic DXF/SVG/PS/Python-BOM exports, PCB 3D exports, render options, unified import, and safe upgrades).
3. Phase 3: Harden empty project reads and IPC lifecycle reconnection.
4. Phase 4: Implement SPICE model assignment and libraries.
5. Phase 5: Implement DRC exclusions and ERC rule severity configurations.
6. Phase 6: Implement Net stats, Net inspector, and Board stats alignment.
7. Phase 7: Implement 3D model management.
8. Phase 8: Implement test point tools.
9. Phase 9: Implement embedded project files (as blocked / unsupported).
10. Phase 10: Implement extended variant tools.
11. Phase 11: Harden library searches, component sourcing, and footprint generator.
12. Phase 12: Add new DFM profiles and manufacturer checks.
13. Phase 13: Add new subcircuit templates.
14. Phase 14: Implement Path validation helper and structured error formats.
15. Phase 15: Register all tools and profiles.
16. Phase 16: Run validation and tests.