Altium MCP Server
Altium MCP Server gives Claude access to an open Altium Designer project: board queries, symbols, footprints and output jobs
- 211 ★ on the repository
- Last commit
- MIT
Extended access
Why this level
- Through an Altium script the agent edits the open project: symbols, footprints, layout, layers and silkscreen
- Runs output jobs that write files to disk
Install
- Works in
Manual install
Установи MCP-сервер из репозитория coffeenmusic/altium-mcp на этом компьютере
The author suggests asking Claude Code to install it by pointing it at the repository.
Access and checks
How we reviewExtended accessThe tool runs code or makes network calls and only reads external data.
- Through an Altium script the agent edits the open project: symbols, footprints, layout, layers and silkscreen
- Runs output jobs that write files to disk
This is third-party code. Review the repository files before installing.
What it does
Altium MCP Server is a Python server that connects an MCP client to a running Altium Designer through an Altium script. It ships as a `.dxt` extension for Claude Desktop on Windows and builds its own virtual environment with dependencies on first launch. The tools work on several levels. For output jobs the server reads `.OutJob` containers, runs them and confirms the PDF was written. For a project it returns parameters, documents, components and ERC violations after an in-memory compile, and gives a board summary in millimetres: outline, vias by size, components per side. Components expose designators, properties, pins and primitives. On the library side the agent creates symbols from a datasheet, including multi-part ones, following pin placement rules, and footprints for `.PcbLib`. It can duplicate a selected layout, show and hide layers, place components and silkscreen, then check clearances and show a screenshot. Questions such as listing Molex parts or length-matching rules go in plain text.
Who it is for. Engineers who design boards in Altium Designer on Windows and want to hand routine work to Claude: output jobs, symbols from datasheets, component inventory.
Good fit when
- You need to run every output job in a project and confirm the PDFs were created
- A regulator or dual op-amp symbol is built from a datasheet following pin placement rules
- Before fabrication it is worth checking for unsaved documents and ERC errors and see which layers the Gerber plots
- A list of parts by one manufacturer or all ICs by designator comes from one query
- You need to place switching regulator components and check clearances right away
Not a fit when
- You are on macOS or Linux: the extension and Altium discovery target Windows
- The project lives in KiCad or EasyEDA: the server talks to Altium Designer only
- You need an install without Python: the server creates its own environment and downloads packages on first launch
- You want finished layout with no manual review: placement results need engineering control
Example request
Run all output jobs, then check for unsaved documents and ERC errors and show the layers the Gerber output plotsMCP
- Transport
- stdio
- Authentication
- not required
Limitations
- Windows, Altium Designer and Python 3.10–3.14 are required. The extension looks for `C:\Program Files\Altium\AD*` folders and takes the highest revision.
- First launch takes 20–30 seconds, and on a slow network the environment build can exceed the client's one-minute timeout. The build continues in the background, so restarting the extension is enough.
- Pin placement rules live in `server\symbol_placement_rules.txt`. An extension update replaces the file, so keep a copy elsewhere.
- Creating a symbol needs an open schematic library.
How to disable. In Claude Desktop open Settings, Extensions and disable or remove altium-mcp. The virtual environment, `config.json` and logs live in `%USERPROFILE%\.altium-mcp`, and that folder can be deleted by hand.
FAQ
How do I install Altium MCP Server?
Download `altium-mcp.dxt` from releases and install it in Claude Desktop on Windows through Settings, Extensions, Advanced, Install Extension. A restart is usually not needed. Alternatively ask Claude Code to install it by pointing it at the repository.
Do I install dependencies by hand?
No. `start_server.py` builds a virtual environment in `%USERPROFILE%\.altium-mcp\venvs` on first launch and installs the packages. Only Python 3.10–3.14 on PATH is required.
Which tasks work without editing the board?
Reading project parameters, the component list, ERC violations, a board summary and `.OutJob` settings from disk. Tools such as `get_erc_violations` compile the project in memory and save nothing.
Can I create a symbol from a datasheet?
Yes. The `create_schematic_symbol` tool takes a pin list with types and coordinates, supports multi-part symbols and uses rules from `symbol_placement_rules.txt`. An open schematic library project is required.
What if the extension does not start within a minute?
The first environment build may miss the client timeout. It continues in the background and progress shows in `build.log`, after which restarting the extension is enough.
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 MCP Server (this card) | no | not required | 211 | |
| altium-designer-mcp | no | not required | 90 | writes Altium Designer libraries as files, while this server drives the open project through an Altium script |
| eda-agent | no | not required | 324 | one server for Altium Designer, KiCad and EasyEDA Pro, while here the tools target Altium only |
README in short
The README states the idea briefly: controlling an Altium project through Claude. It then lists example prompts, installation as a `.dxt` extension, a developer section on packaging with a bootstrap script for the environment, Altium discovery settings and the tools by group.