PCB Parts MCP Server

An MCP server for AI coding assistants that unifies search across JLCPCB, Mouser, and DigiKey distributors, featuring parametric search, BOM validation, and KiCad footprint downloads.

Overview#

PCB Parts MCP Server is an MCP (Model Context Protocol) server for AI coding assistants, providing unified access to JLCPCB, Mouser, and DigiKey electronic component distributors. Engineers can perform component search, BOM validation, and KiCad footprint downloads directly within AI coding environments like Claude, Cursor, and VS Code.

Version: 3.1.0
Author: Avery (Averyy)
License: MIT License
Language: Python 87.8% (requires ≥ 3.11)

Problems Solved#

Fragmented multi-platform search: JLCPCB, Mouser, DigiKey are independent with no unified query interface
Complex specifications: Manual filtering through numerous electrical parameters is inefficient
Tedious BOM preparation: Need to check stock, cost, and extended library fees one by one
Difficult shortage alternatives: Hard to quickly locate spec-compatible alternatives

Target Users#

PCB design engineers
Electronics product developers
Makers using AI coding assistants for hardware development

Supported AI Assistants: Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code (Cline/Roo Code, etc.)

Supported EDA Tools: KiCad (via SamacSys footprint download), EasyEDA (pinout extraction)

Core Capabilities#

16 MCP Tools Across 4 Data Sources#

JLCPCB (Local Database + Real-time API)

jlc_search: Smart query parsing + parametric filtering (400K+ high-stock components)
jlc_search_api: Real-time API, full 1.5M catalog, pagination support
jlc_get_part: Get complete details by LCSC part number or MPN
jlc_get_pinout: Extract pin information from EasyEDA symbols
jlc_find_alternatives: Find spec-compatible alternatives
jlc_list_categories: 52 main categories
jlc_get_subcategories: Subcategories under a category
jlc_list_attributes: Filterable attributes for subcategory
jlc_validate_bom: Stock check, cost calculation, issue flagging
jlc_export_bom: JLCPCB-compatible CSV export

Mouser (requires MOUSER_API_KEY)

mouser_search: Keyword search
mouser_get_part: Part number/MPN query (batch supported)

DigiKey (requires DIGIKEY_CLIENT_ID + SECRET)

digikey_search: Keyword search
digikey_get_part: Part number/MPN query

SamacSys (no key required)

cse_search: Search ECAD models, datasheets, footprints
cse_get_kicad: Download KiCad symbols and footprints

Smart Features#

Natural language parsing: Automatically parse "10k 0603 1%" into resistance/package/tolerance filters
Parametric filtering: Support expressions like Vgs(th) < 2V, Rds(on) < 10mΩ, Id >= 5A
Package variant expansion: Auto-expand SOT-23 → SOT-23-3, SOT-23-3L, SOT-23(TO-236)
MPN mapping: Manufacturer part number → JLCPCB LCSC part number

Data Scale#

Metric	Value
Total Components	1.5M+
Main Categories	52
Subcategory Aliases	220+
High-stock Components (stock ≥ 100)	400K+

Library Types#

Type	Assembly Fee	Description
basic	None	JLCPCB standard library common components
preferred	None	Recommended components, stable supply
extended	$3/type	Non-common components
no_fee	None	basic + preferred quick filter

Installation#

Managed Service (Recommended)#

Claude Code

claude mcp add -s user --transport http pcbparts https://pcbparts.dev/mcp

Claude Desktop (~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "pcbparts": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://pcbparts.dev/mcp"
    }
  }
}

Cursor (~/.cursor/mcp.json) and VS Code (.vscode/mcp.json) configurations are similar.

Self-hosted Deployment#

From Source

git clone https://github.com/Averyy/pcbparts-mcp
cd pcbparts-mcp
uv venv && uv pip install -e .
.venv/bin/python -m pcbparts_mcp.server  # http://localhost:8080/mcp

Docker

docker compose up -d  # Production (GHCR image)
docker compose -f docker-compose.local.yml up --build  # Local build

Environment Variables#

Variable	Default	Description
`HTTP_PORT`	8080	Server port
`RATE_LIMIT_REQUESTS`	100	Requests per IP per minute
`MOUSER_API_KEY`	—	Mouser API key (optional)
`DIGIKEY_CLIENT_ID`	—	DigiKey OAuth2 client ID (optional)
`DIGIKEY_CLIENT_SECRET`	—	DigiKey OAuth2 client secret (optional)

Example Queries#

"Find logic-level MOSFETs with Vgs(th) < 2V and Id >= 5A"
"100nF 25V capacitors in 0402 or 0603"
"Find alternatives for C82899 in basic library"
"STM32 microcontrollers with 10000+ stock"
"Validate my BOM and check for stock issues"
"Get KiCad footprint for ESP32-S3-WROOM-1"

Technical Architecture#

Dependencies: MCP SDK ≥ 1.3.0, FastMCP ≥ 3.0.0, curl_cffi ≥ 0.7.0, httpx ≥ 0.27.0, uvicorn + starlette, pydantic ≥ 2.0

Key Techniques:

TLS fingerprint simulation (curl_cffi mimics browser to avoid JLCPCB API 403 rejection)
Streamable HTTP stateless transport
Rate limiting: 100 requests/minute/IP