PCB Parts MCP 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)
• 11 MCP tools across 6 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)

Mouser (requires MOUSER_API_KEY)

DigiKey (requires DIGIKEY_CLIENT_ID + DIGIKEY_CLIENT_SECRET)

Sensor Recommendation (no key required)

SamacSys (no key required)

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

Subcategory Aliases

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

Attribute Aliases

Short names for parametric spec filters:

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"

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

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.

License

MIT

Links

• pcbparts.dev
• JLCPCB Parts Library
• MCP Protocol