burn2kicad

burn2kicad

burn2kicad converts a small component asset directory plus a text netlist into a KiCad project. This is an aid for AI agents to work on stripped down design without needing to deal with complexities of KiCad's file formats.

Installation

go install github.com/oxplot/burn2kicad@latest

Basic Usage

Create a documented input directory:

burn2kicad init ./input

Populate ./input/components/<component-dir>/ for each distinct part:

• symbol.kicad_sym
• footprint.kicad_mod
• datasheet.pdf
• model.step optional

Edit ./input/netlist.txt to declare components and named nets, then generate a KiCad project:

burn2kicad convert ./input ./kicad-output

Preview planned writes without changing the output directory:

burn2kicad convert --dry-run ./input ./kicad-output

burn2kicad writes project-local symbol and footprint library tables, copies datasheets and optional STEP models, and generates a schematic containing labeled net stubs for the nets in netlist.txt. During conversion it also ensures every project-local footprint contains a visible dynamic reference designator on its front or back fabrication layer.

For standard physical packages already supplied by KiCad—such as generic SMD resistors and capacitors or SOT packages—copy the exact .kicad_mod from the installed official KiCad footprint library into the component directory as footprint.kicad_mod. The converter then copies it into the generated project's local footprint library. Use a vendor footprint only when KiCad has no exact package match.