altium-designer-mcp
MCP server that lets an agent write valid Altium Designer libraries: .PcbLib footprints and .SchLib symbols
- 93 ★ on the repository
- Last commit
- GPL-3.0
Extended access
Why this level
- The server reads and writes files in the mounted library folder
- It runs a local binary or container
Install
- Works in
Manual install
{
"mcpServers": {
"altium-designer-mcp": {
"command": "docker",
"args": ["run", "-i", "--rm", "-v", "/path/to/libraries:/libraries", "altium-designer-mcp"]
}
}
}Docker option. The mounted /libraries folder is the server's entire allow-list.
Access and checks
How we reviewExtended accessThe tool runs code or makes network calls and only reads external data.
- The server reads and writes files in the mounted library folder
- It runs a local binary or container
This is third-party code. Review the repository files before installing.
What it does
The server gives an MCP client a set of tools to read and write Altium Designer libraries in the binary .PcbLib and .SchLib formats. The agent reasons about footprint or symbol geometry, and the server assembles a valid file that Altium opens without errors. It covers primitive creation, pad placement and standard board layers. It runs as a local stdio server from a prebuilt binary, a Claude Desktop extension or a Docker container.
Who it is for. For hardware engineers who maintain component libraries in Altium Designer and work through an MCP client.
Good fit when
- You need to create a footprint or symbol from a datasheet without drawing by hand
- You need to batch-generate Altium library elements in CI or on a server
- You want to hand routine library work to an agent while keeping the engineering decisions
Not a fit when
- You do not use Altium Designer
- You need board routing or schematic capture rather than component libraries
Example request
Build an Altium footprint for this QFN package from the datasheet and add a symbol to the libraryMCP
- Transport
- stdio
- Authentication
- not required
Limitations
The server handles only Altium library formats (.PcbLib and .SchLib), and the result still needs a check in Altium itself. Prebuilt binaries are unsigned, so SmartScreen and Gatekeeper warn on first run; the authors suggest verifying the build via SLSA attestation. GPL-3.0 licensed.
How to disable. Remove the server from the MCP client configuration or uninstall the Claude Desktop extension, then delete the downloaded binary or Docker image.
FAQ
Do I need Altium installed for the server to work?
The server writes files without Altium, but you open and verify the result in Altium Designer.
What is it written in?
In Rust, shipped as prebuilt binaries for Linux, macOS and Windows, plus a Docker image and a Claude Desktop extension.
Discussion
No questions or reviews yet.
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Comparison with similar tools
Cards that share the main search query, and how they differ.
| Tool | Official | Authentication | Repository stars | Main difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| altium-designer-mcp (this card) | no | not required | 93 | |
| Verilog Generator | no | 332 | a Verilog-2001 design skill that writes RTL from a brief and explains | |
| eda-agent | no | not required | 349 | an MCP server that lets an agent edit an open project in Altium |
README in short
The README explains that building an Altium library by hand is slow, and asking an agent to emit the binary file directly yields a corrupt file. The server takes over the writing: the agent sets the geometry, the server assembles valid .PcbLib and .SchLib files. It documents standard board layers, install options via a prebuilt binary, a .mcpb Claude Desktop extension and Docker, plus download verification through SLSA attestation. It works with any stdio MCP client.