PCB Parts Server

MCP server for searching electronic components across JLCPCB, Mouser, and DigiKey directly from Claude, Cursor, and other AI coding assistants. 1.5M+ parts with parametric filtering and KiCad footprints. No API key required.

Website: pcbparts.dev

Features

• Cross-distributor search: JLCPCB, Mouser, and DigiKey from one MCP server
• Parametric search: Filter by electrical specs (Vgs(th) < 2V, Rds(on) < 10mΩ, etc.)
• Smart query parsing: "10k 0603 1%" auto-parses into structured filters
• Find alternatives: Spec-aware compatibility checking for 120+ component types
• KiCad footprints: Download symbols and footprints via SamacSys
• Pinout data: Component pin information from EasyEDA symbols
• MPN lookup: Find JLCPCB equivalents by manufacturer part number
• Sensor recommendation: Find sensor ICs by what they measure, protocol, or platform (1,500+ sensors, 56 measure types)
• Reference boards: Search ~285 OSHW board schematics, IC neighborhoods, cross-board consensus for design patterns
• Design rules: 41 curated PCB design reference files covering power, protection, interfaces, MCUs, layout, and EMC
• 14 MCP tools across 7 data sources
• No API key required for JLCPCB (Mouser/DigiKey optional)

Quick Start

Claude Code

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

Optional — auto-approve all pcbparts tools in ~/.claude/settings.json:

{
  "permissions": {
    "allow": ["mcp__pcbparts__*"]
  }
}

Claude Desktop

Add via Settings → Connectors → "Add custom connector", or add to ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json:

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

Cursor

Add to ~/.cursor/mcp.json:

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

VS Code

Add to .vscode/mcp.json:

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

Copilot for Xcode

Add to Extensions config:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "pcbparts": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "mcp-remote", "https://pcbparts.dev/mcp"]
    }
  }
}

Available Tools

JLCPCB (Local DB + Live API)

Tool	Description
jlc_search	Primary search — smart query parsing + parametric spec filters (local DB, 575K+ in-stock parts)
jlc_stock_check	Real-time stock verification via live JLCPCB API (use jlc_search first)
jlc_get_part	Full details for a specific LCSC part code or MPN lookup
jlc_get_pinout	Component pin information from EasyEDA symbols
jlc_find_alternatives	Find spec-compatible alternative parts with verification
jlc_search_help	Browse categories, subcategories, and filterable attributes

Mouser (requires MOUSER_API_KEY)

Tool	Description
mouser_get_part	Cross-reference a specific MPN on Mouser (daily quota applies)

DigiKey (requires DIGIKEY_CLIENT_ID + DIGIKEY_CLIENT_SECRET)

Tool	Description
digikey_get_part	Cross-reference a specific MPN on DigiKey (daily quota applies)

Sensor Recommendation (no key required)

Tool	Description
sensor_recommend	Find sensor ICs/modules by measurement need, protocol, or platform (1,500+ sensors, 56 measure types)

Reference Boards (no key required)

Tool	Description
board_search	Search ~285 OSHW reference board schematics by IC, tag, org, or free text. Cross-board consensus shows how ICs are typically used.
board_get	Get full board details — BOM, design rules, dimensions. Use focus param for pin-grouped IC neighborhoods (decoupling, bias, connections).

Design Rules (no key required)

Tool	Description
get_design_rules	PCB design rules & best practices (41 curated reference files: power, protection, interfaces, MCUs, layout, EMC)

SamacSys (no key required)

Tool	Description
cse_search	Search for ECAD models, datasheets, and footprint availability
cse_get_kicad	Download KiCad symbols and footprints for any part

search vs stock_check

Use jlc_search (default) for:

• Parametric filtering ("Vgs(th) < 2V", "voltage >= 25V")
• Smart query parsing ("10k 0603 1%" auto-detects value, package, tolerance)
• Most searches

Use jlc_stock_check only when you need:

• Real-time stock verification before ordering
• Out-of-stock or low-stock parts (stock < 10)
• Full 1.5M catalog (search indexes 575K+ with stock >= 10)

Library Types

Type	Assembly Fee	Description
basic	None	Common parts in JLCPCB's standard library
preferred	None	Recommended parts with good availability
extended	$3/unique part	Less common parts
no_fee	None	Filter shortcut: searches basic + preferred combined

Subcategory Aliases

Natural language names that map to JLCPCB subcategories (220+ aliases supported):

Category	Aliases
Capacitors	mlcc, ceramic capacitor, electrolytic, tantalum, supercap
Resistors	resistor, chip resistor, current sense resistor
Inductors	inductor, ferrite bead, ferrite
Diodes	schottky, zener, tvs, esd diode, rectifier
MOSFETs	mosfet, n-channel mosfet, p-channel mosfet, nmos, pmos
Regulators	ldo, buck, boost, dc-dc
Crystals	crystal, oscillator, tcxo
Connectors	usb-c, pin header, jst, terminal block, qwiic
LEDs	led, rgb led, ws2812, neopixel
MCUs	mcu, microcontroller

Attribute Aliases

Short names for parametric spec filters:

Component	Attributes
MOSFETs	Vgs(th), Vds, Id, Rds(on)
Diodes	Vr, If, Vf
BJTs	Vceo, Ic
Passives	Capacitance, Resistance, Inductance, Voltage, Tolerance, Power

Use jlc_search_help(subcategory=...) to discover all filterable specs for any subcategory.

Package Expansion

Package filters auto-expand to include variants:

• "SOT-23" → includes SOT-23-3, SOT-23-3L, SOT-23(TO-236)
• "0603" → includes 1608 (metric equivalent)
• Specific packages like "QFN-24-EP(4x4)" are NOT expanded

find_alternatives

Finds verified-compatible alternatives using spec-aware rules:

1. Matches primary spec (resistance, capacitance, etc.)
2. Verifies must_match specs (dielectric, LED color, relay coil voltage)
3. Verifies same_or_better specs (higher voltage OK, lower tolerance OK)
4. Ranks by library type (basic/preferred saves $3), stock, EasyEDA availability

Supported: Resistors, capacitors, inductors, ferrite beads, MOSFETs, BJTs, diodes (all types), LEDs, optocouplers, crystals, oscillators, LDOs, DC-DC converters, voltage references, WiFi/BT/LoRa modules, switches, relays, connectors, and more (120+ subcategories).

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"
"Cross-reference TPS63020 on Mouser and compare with JLCPCB pricing"
"Get KiCad footprint for ESP32-S3-WROOM-1"
"What sensor should I use to measure CO2 on ESPHome?"
"Recommend an IMU sensor with I2C interface"
"Show me boards that use the MCP73831 charger"
"How is the RP2040 typically used? What decoupling and crystal do real boards use?"
"Get the ESP32-S3 neighborhood on the Adafruit Feather"
"What are the design rules for USB-C?"
"Show me LDO design best practices"

API Details

• Endpoint: https://pcbparts.dev/mcp
• Transport: Streamable HTTP (stateless)
• Health: https://pcbparts.dev/health
• Rate limit: 100 requests/minute per IP
• Auth: None required

Self-Hosting

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

Or with Docker:

docker compose up -d                                    # production (GHCR image)
docker compose -f docker-compose.local.yml up --build   # local dev (builds from source)

Environment Variables

Variable	Default	Description
HTTP_PORT	8080	Server port
RATE_LIMIT_REQUESTS	100	Requests per minute per IP
MCP_ALLOWED_HOSTS	pcbparts.dev	Comma-separated Host headers accepted by the server (DNS-rebinding protection; localhost is always allowed)
DISTRIBUTOR_DAILY_LIMIT	1000	Daily API request quota per distributor (Mouser/DigiKey)
MOUSER_API_KEY	—	Mouser API key (optional, enables Mouser tools)
DIGIKEY_CLIENT_ID	—	DigiKey OAuth2 client ID (optional, enables DigiKey tools)
DIGIKEY_CLIENT_SECRET	—	DigiKey OAuth2 client secret

LLM-Readable Documentation

An llms.txt file is available for LLMs and AI agents to quickly understand this service. See llmstxt.org for the spec.

Contributing

Issues and PRs welcome — see CONTRIBUTING.md for development setup, testing, and project conventions.

License

MIT

Links

• pcbparts.dev
• JLCPCB Parts Library
• MCP Protocol