KicadSend

Upload KiCad symbols, footprints, and 3D models to your local library with ease.

What is KicadSend?

KicadSend is a simple tool to help you quickly add custom components to your KiCad libraries without manually managing library tables. Just select your files, click upload, and they're registered and ready to use.

Features

• Dual Interface: Choose between GUI or CLI based on your workflow
• Smart Library Management: Auto-detects your KiCad library location
• Multiple File Types: Supports .kicad_sym, .kicad_mod, and .step/.stp` 3D models
• Custom Libraries: Create separate footprint libraries with custom suffixes
• Duplicate Prevention: Won't re-upload files that already exist in your library
• Progress Feedback: Visual progress bar for large files
• SnapEDA Integration: Search and import components from SnapEDA.com

Requirements

• Python 3.10+
• KiCad 9.0+ installed

Installation

pip install -r requirements.txt

GUI Version (main.py)

Launch the graphical interface:

python main.py

On first run, select your KiCad user library folder (contains sym-lib-table and fp-lib-table).

GUI Features:

• Styled dark-themed file browser
• Drag-and-drop style file selection
• Progress tracking during upload

CLI Version (cli.py)

For automation or scripting:

# Upload a symbol
python cli.py ~/.config/kicad/9.0 -s symbol.kicad_sym

# Upload a footprint
python cli.py ~/.config/kicad/9.0 -f footprint.kicad_mod

# Upload with custom library suffix
python cli.py ~/.config/kicad/9.0 -f footprint.kicad_mod --suffix mylib

# Upload all at once
python cli.py ~/.config/kicad/9.0 -s symbol.kicad_sym -f footprint.kicad_mod -3 model.step

CLI Options

Option	Description
-s, --symbol	Path to .kicad_sym symbol file
-f, --footprint	Path to .kicad_mod footprint file
-3, --step	Path to .step/.stp 3D model
--suffix	Suffix for library (e.g., mylib creates Uploaded_mylib.pretty)
-v, --verbose	Enable verbose output

How It Works

Architecture

┌─────────────────┐     ┌──────────────────┐     ┌─────────────────┐
│  Symbol Files  │────▶│   KiCad User     │────▶│  sym-lib-table  │
│  (.kicad_sym)  │     │   Library Dir    │     │   Registration │
└─────────────────┘     └──────────────────┘     └─────────────────┘

┌──────────────────┐     ┌──────────────────┐     ┌────────────────┐
│  Footprint Files │────▶│ Uploaded.pretty  │────▶│ fp-lib-table   │
│  (.kicad_mod)    │     │   (or custom)    │     │ Registration   │
└──────────────────┘     └──────────────────┘     └────────────────┘

What Gets Created

• Symbols: Copied to your KiCad symbol directory and registered in sym-lib-table as individual libraries
• Footprints: Copied to Uploaded.pretty (or Uploaded_suffix.pretty) folder and registered in fp-lib-table
• 3D Models: Copied to the same .pretty folder as the footprint

##⚠️ Important

After uploading, restart KiCad to see your new libraries.

The tool creates or updates the following in your KiCad user directory:

• Uploaded.pretty/ - footprint library folder
• sym-lib-table - updated with new symbol entries
• fp-lib-table - updated with new footprint library

Troubleshooting

"Could not find footprint library directory"

Your selected folder isn't a valid KiCad library folder. It must contain either sym-lib-table or fp-lib-table.

Libraries not appearing in KiCad

Make sure to restart KiCad after uploading. Library tables are read at startup.

Duplicate files

The tool automatically checks if files already exist by comparing content, so won't re-upload duplicates.

SnapEDA Integration

Search and import components from SnapEDA.com - a free database with millions of components.

Usage

1. Click "Open SnapEDA Search" in the GUI
2. A browser will open to snapeda.com
3. Search for your component (e.g., "RP2040")
4. Click "Download" and select "KiCad V6+"
5. The downloaded ZIP will be automatically imported!

The tool watches your Downloads folder and automatically imports any SnapEDA ZIP files. Each component gets its own footprint library named after the component (e.g., RP2040.pretty).

License

MIT License