Cadence-MCP-SPB17
MCP serverCommunity
One MCP server with 12 tools for OrCAD Capture and Allegro PCB Editor 17.4, read-only by default. By daveyJ-sgs.
9 starsUpdated 9 days agoGitHub data from 5 Nov 2026
At a glance
- Type
- MCP server
- Works with
- OrCAD / Allegro
- How it connects
- Drives a running copy of the tool
- Access
- Read-only or read-write (configurable)
- Tool versions
- OrCAD Capture 17.4 and Allegro PCB Editor 17.4 (SPB 17.4)
- Operating systems
- Windows
- Needs a OrCAD / Allegro licence
- Yes
- Transport
- Local (stdio)
- AI clients documented
- Claude Code
- Licence
- MIT
- Language
- Python
What it can do
- Connects to Capture through its Tcl Communication Server on port 9020, and to Allegro through a SKILL-spawned helper on port 9030.
- Reads parts, properties and connectivity from Capture; reads Allegro board data and evaluates SKILL.
- Write tools for Capture part properties and saving appear only when you start the server with --allow-write.
- The repository adds Allegro checkers for placement, creepage, dangling copper and silkscreen, STEP model mapping and notes on 861 axl SKILL functions.
Limitations
- Capture saves geometry but not property edits; those still need a manual File > Close > Save.
- Capture's PlaceWire command crashes Capture when called from the socket, and some quiet flags still open modal dialogs; the README documents the workarounds.
- Cadence's default Capture server listens on all interfaces without authentication; use the repository's loopback-only start script.
Install
claude mcp add cadence -- python /path/to/bridge/cadence_mcp.pypackage require capCommServer
::capCommServer::StartServerMCP servers and skills run code on your computer. Review the source before installing.
AI-generated models, drawings and results must be checked by a qualified engineer before use.