> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://35bca2e-spikonado.manicule.dev/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
> For every page in one file, fetch https://35bca2e-spikonado.manicule.dev/docs/llms-full.txt (large).
> To search and read these docs as tools, connect the MCP server at https://35bca2e-spikonado.manicule.dev/docs/api/mcp.
> Every agent surface: https://35bca2e-spikonado.manicule.dev/docs/.well-known/llms-manifest.json

# Hardware (/docs/use/hardware)

<!-- agent-signals: reading_time_min: 1 · est_tokens: 424 · updated: 2026-11-12 -->
Related: [Projects and threads](/docs/use/projects-and-threads.md), [Models and providers](/docs/use/models-and-providers.md), [What the agent can do](/docs/use/agent-tools.md), [Instructions and skills](/docs/use/instructions-and-skills.md), [Purchases](/docs/use/purchases.md), [GitHub](/docs/use/github.md)

> Install the KiCad connector so Sprocket can edit schematics and PCBs, view designs in 2D and 3D, pick parts, and draw wiring diagrams.

## KiCad connector

The KiCad connector gives the agent KiCad, the KiCad Python API, routing tools, and libraries. The agent uses it to create and edit schematics and boards, run ERC and DRC, and export Gerbers, renders, and BOMs.

<Steps>
<Step title="Open Settings → Connectors">Do this in Sprocket on the computer that will run the agent. Connectors install on that
computer.</Step>

<Step title="Install KiCad">Click **Install**. The connector needs about 10 GiB of free disk space.</Step>
</Steps>

The connector runs on macOS on Apple silicon and Intel, Windows on x64 and Arm, and Linux x64. It needs KiCad 10.99 or newer. If you already have one installed, the connector uses it. Otherwise it downloads its own KiCad nightly build. If you uninstall or downgrade a KiCad the connector uses, reinstall the connector.

When a connector update is ready, **Settings → Connectors** shows an **Update** button.

<Info>Connectors are experimental.</Info>

## View designs

When the agent works on a KiCad project, it can add a project card to its reply. The card opens the schematics and board in a viewer with 2D and 3D board views.

## Hardware skills

Sprocket's [built-in skills](/docs/use/instructions-and-skills#built-in-skills) cover these hardware tasks:

* `working-with-kicad` for schematics, boards, and exports.
* `selecting-hardware-parts` for picking parts and suppliers and writing a BOM.
* `designing-wiring-diagram` for projects built from modules and dev boards rather than a custom PCB.

To order the parts, see [Purchases](/docs/use/purchases).