---
title: "Design Rule Checks"
description: "Run DRC checks, track violations, and generate rule sets"
---

The DRC tools let you run Design Rule Checks on your KiCad PCB designs, get detailed violation reports, track progress over time, and generate technology-specific rule sets. All DRC operations use `kicad-cli` and do not require a running KiCad instance.

## Prerequisites

- KiCad 9.0 or newer installed
- `kicad-cli` available in your system PATH (included with KiCad 9.0+)

## Running a DRC check

```
Run a DRC check on my project at /path/to/project.kicad_pro
```

The `run_drc_check` tool:
- Locates the `.kicad_pcb` file for the project
- Runs DRC via `kicad-cli pcb drc`
- Parses the JSON report to extract violations
- Saves results to DRC history
- Compares with previous runs (if available)

## Viewing DRC reports

### Current report

```
Show me the DRC report for /path/to/project.kicad_pro
```

Loads the `kicad://drc/project_path` resource, showing total violations, categorized issues, violation details with locations, and recommendations for common fixes.

### DRC history

```
Show me the DRC history for /path/to/project.kicad_pro
```

Loads the `kicad://drc/history/project_path` resource, showing a visual trend of violations over time, table of all check runs, comparison between first and most recent checks, and progress indicators.

## Understanding violations

### Common categories

| Category | Description | Common fixes |
|----------|-------------|-------------|
| Clearance | Items too close together | Increase spacing, reroute traces |
| Track Width | Traces too narrow | Increase trace width, check current requirements |
| Annular Ring | Via rings too small | Increase via size, adjust manufacturing settings |
| Drill Size | Holes too small | Increase drill diameter, check fab capabilities |
| Silkscreen | Silkscreen conflicts with pads | Adjust silkscreen position, resize text |
| Courtyard | Component courtyards overlap | Adjust placement, reduce footprint sizes |

## Generating rule sets

### Technology-specific rules

```
Create a DRC rule set for HDI technology
```

The `create_drc_rule_set` tool generates rules tailored to specific PCB technologies:
- **standard** -- conventional PCB manufacturing
- **HDI** -- high-density interconnect
- **RF** -- radio frequency designs
- **automotive** -- automotive-grade requirements

### Exporting rules

```
Export DRC rules for RF technology in KiCad format
```

The `export_kicad_drc_rules` tool outputs rules in KiCad-compatible text format, ready to paste into your project's design rules.

### Manufacturing constraints

```
Get manufacturing constraints for automotive technology
```

The `get_manufacturing_constraints` tool returns numeric limits (minimum track width, clearance, via size, etc.) along with design recommendations and notes for the specified technology.

## Workflow

The DRC tools work alongside KiCad's built-in DRC:

1. Run the mckicad DRC check to get an overview and start tracking progress
2. Use KiCad's built-in DRC for interactive fixes (highlights exact locations in the editor)
3. Re-run the mckicad DRC to verify fixes and update the history

## Custom design rules

Use the DRC prompt templates for help creating specialized rules:

```
I need custom design rules for a high-voltage circuit with 2kV isolation
```

This provides guidance for high-voltage circuits, high-current paths, RF constraints, and specialized manufacturing requirements.

## Troubleshooting

### DRC check fails

1. Ensure the project exists at the specified path
2. Verify the project contains a `.kicad_pcb` file
3. Check that `kicad-cli` is in your PATH or set `KICAD_CLI_PATH`
4. Use the full absolute path to the project file
5. Check the server logs for detailed error information

### Incomplete results

1. Verify the PCB file is not corrupted -- try opening it in KiCad
2. Ensure you are using KiCad 9.0+ for full kicad-cli DRC support
3. Check that all referenced libraries are available