Order PCBs from Claude
Partly. HeyPCB has an official MCP server for designing and ordering PCBs from an agent. JLCPCB and PCBWay have no MCP server, and their APIs need an approved application, so most people upload Gerber files on their sites. Community MCP servers help Claude design the board in KiCad or EasyEDA and pick JLCPCB parts.
| Option | Works today as | Price |
|---|---|---|
| heypcb-mcpDesign and order PCBs from an agent through HeyPCB. | Official MCP from the vendor | free (open source) |
| JLCPCBOrder manufactured printed circuit boards from Gerber files. | API from the vendor | From $2.00 / 5 pcs (FR-4), build time 24 hours |
| PCBWayOrder prototype printed circuit boards from Gerber files. | Manual through the provider | From $5 / 10 pcs (1-2 layer), build time 24 hours |
| KiCAD-MCP-ServerDesign circuit boards in KiCad: schematics, placement, routing and DRC. | Community MCP server | free (open source) |
| kicad-jlcpcbTurn a PCB idea into a KiCad board ready for JLCPCB fabrication. | Community MCP server | free (open source) |
| pcbparts-mcpSearch JLCPCB/LCSC parts with stock and price for PCB assembly. | Community MCP server | free (open source) |
| jlcmcpAutomate JLC EDA (EasyEDA) schematics and PCB layout, routing and DRC. | Community MCP server | free (open source) |
The route that works today
- Design. Use a KiCad or EasyEDA MCP server so Claude can edit the schematic and layout. Check its work in the design tool.
- Pick parts. pcbparts-mcp searches JLCPCB and LCSC parts with stock and price.
- Order. Use HeyPCB's MCP server, or export Gerber files and upload them to JLCPCB (from $2 for 5 boards, 24-hour build) or PCBWay (from $5 for 10 boards).
HeyPCB's MCP server, from its README:
claude mcp add --transport http heypcb https://api.heypcb.ai/mcp
Keep a person on the spend
Every order here costs real money. Use your own account, and paste this rule into the chat or your agent's instructions:
Before you order or pay for anything, show me what you will buy, the exact price and where it ships, then wait until I reply yes. Never place more than one order per yes.
“Live through our connector” runs through Real World MCP today. “Official MCP” is the vendor's own server. “Manual” means you or a browser use the provider's site. Prices are the provider's own and change. Browse every make things entry.
What people have done
- Get a costume prop built after ChatGPT points you to a hackerspace
ChatGPT told someone building an Escape from L.A. wrist timer to visit the Denver hackerspace. A member ended up sourcing parts, ordering a custom PCB and printing the case for him.
- Have Claude build parts in an open-source parametric CAD tool
The author of Lobole, a parametric B-Rep CAD app, found Claude good at driving it through scripts; the engine, watch and bicycle shown in the README were each built by Claude.
- Design an ESP32 WiFi fan controller in KiCad with Claude
A PCB designer with 40 years' experience asked Claude Opus 5.5 for the schematic and ESP-IDF firmware of a WiFi fan speed controller; it finished in about 20 minutes. Claude also drew a board outline from photos of the case and caught issues in his mains-voltage layout.
- Design a 5A buck converter board with Claude Code and KiCad MCP
A JLCPCB walkthrough used a KiCad MCP server with Claude Code to draw the schematic and lay out an XL4015 buck converter, then covered ordering, with a reminder that the design still needs an engineer's check.
Questions people ask
Can Claude order PCBs?
Yes, through HeyPCB's official MCP server. For JLCPCB or PCBWay, Claude can prepare the files, and you upload them, because their APIs need an approved application.
Does JLCPCB have an MCP server?
Not an official one. Community servers design boards for JLCPCB or search its parts. JLCPCB's own API is aimed at enterprise users and needs an application.
How much does a PCB order cost?
JLCPCB lists from $2 for 5 FR-4 boards and PCBWay from $5 for 10 boards, plus shipping. Price depends on size, layers, finish and quantity.