Import from KiCAD

Existing designs aren't a dead end. typecad-pcb import reads a .kicad_pcb and prints the equivalent typeCAD code — and with --apply, it writes KiCAD-side layout edits back into your source files.

command

import

typecad-pcb import <file.kicad_pcb>

Converts a KiCAD board into typeCAD TypeScript. Without flags it prints the code for you to paste; variable names come from each footprint's Code property, falling back to the KiCAD reference.

Example first

terminal

typecad-pcb import ./existing-board.kicad_pcb

What gets imported

Content	How it arrives
Components	Footprint placement — position, rotation, side (front/back)
Tracks & vias	Emitted as TrackBuilder chains and via components
Zones & keepouts	Including grouped fills and rule areas
Board outline	Rectangles, polygons, circles, cutouts
Stackup	Layer count and dielectric data
Text	Board text elements

command

import --apply

typecad-pcb import <file.kicad_pcb> --apply

The round-trip: match the imported board against your project's source files and write KiCAD-side edits back. Selective — an interactive checklist shows every change before it's applied.

Example first

terminal

typecad-pcb import ./existing-board.kicad_pcb --apply --capture-layouts

The importer locates the project's source, matches each footprint to the line that created it, and offers the differences it found:

Change in KiCAD	What --apply writes
Position / side changes	Footprints that moved in KiCAD update their pcb position in the source
Text call changes	Board text edits sync back as .text() calls
Layout changes	referenceLayout / valueLayout / fabLayout — with --capture-layouts

Tracks, vias, and zones are always shown for manual copy — --apply never rewrites those into your source unasked.

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