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Getting Started

Installation

pip install silicai

This installs the silicai-validate, silicai-generate, silicai-import, and silicai-mcp CLI tools. The bundled component library (silicai-components) is included automatically.

To also install the MCP server dependencies:

pip install "silicai[mcp]"

Validate a component

Create a component YAML file and validate it against the schema:

silicai-validate path/to/mycomponent.yaml

✓ path/to/mycomponent.yaml is valid

Validate multiple files at once:

silicai-validate components/**/*.yaml

Not sure where to start? See Writing Components for an annotated example, or clone silicai-testproject for a ready-to-run project.

Generate a KiCad schematic

Point silicai-generate at a circuit or project YAML:

silicai-generate path/to/circuit.yaml --output kicad/

For a multi-sheet project:

silicai-generate path/to/project.yaml --output kicad/

This produces:

  • kicad/{project-name}.kicad_pro — KiCad project file
  • kicad/{project-name}.kicad_sch — Root schematic with sheet links
  • kicad/{circuit-name}.kicad_sch — One sub-sheet per circuit

See the Example Project for a complete walkthrough.

Use the MCP server with Claude Code

The MCP server lets Claude Code read component definitions and generate schematics directly from a conversation. Add this to your project's .mcp.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "SilicAI": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": ".venv/bin/silicai-mcp",
      "args": ["--project-dir", "."]
    }
  }
}

Claude can then call silicai-generate, look up component definitions, and inspect circuit netlists without leaving the conversation.

Contributing / development install

To work on SilicAI itself or contribute components, clone the repository:

git clone --recurse-submodules git@github.com:mageoch/silicai.git
cd silicai
uv sync

Next steps