Macropad buggy

fabready

Pre-order checks for KiCad PCBs. fabready finds the mistakes that would cost you a board order before you place it. It runs as a desktop app, a command-line tool and an MCP server for AI agents, all built on one Rust engine.

What it checks

• Routing: unrouted nets and footprints with no connections
• Fab limits: track width, via and hole sizes, and copper-to-edge clearance, against JLCPCB's limits or a conservative "safe" profile
• Board: a missing or open outline, board size and mounting holes
• Components: parts rated below what the board puts on them, and parts that are more than the job needs
• Keyboards: diodes, matrix wiring, controller pins and wireless antennas
• KiCad DRC and ERC, merged in when KiCad is installed

Thin tracks, undersized vias and copper under an antenna can be fixed automatically, with a preview, a backup and undo.

Quick start

Desktop app (macOS):

cd app && npm install
npx tauri build --bundles app      # fabready.app in target/release/bundle/macos/

The first time it opens, a short setup installs KiCad if it's missing and lets you pick your coding agent. Then open a KiCad project folder, or drop it on the window. No design yet? Start a new board (the app creates the KiCad project) or try a sample. The app re-checks every time you save in KiCad. You can view the board layer by layer, edit it Figma-style (move footprints, route tracks, place vias, measure, undo), and chat with Claude Code, Codex or OpenCode about the board you have open.

First launch: install KiCad and pick your agent	Start from your design, a new board or a sample

Command line:

cargo install --path crates/fabready-cli
fabready check path/to/project

AI agents in their own terminal or editor: add fabready as an MCP server so your agent can check the board and apply fixes:

claude mcp add fabready -- fabready mcp

Each board's settings (fab profile, limit overrides, power rails, waived findings) live in a fabready.json next to it. Edit them in the app's Settings tab or by hand.

Docs

• Desktop app: layout, layers, editing tools, fixing problems, agent chat, waiving findings, shortcuts
• Command line and MCP: commands, output files, exit codes, agent setup
• Configuration: every fabready.json setting
• Parts review: how components are rated
• Keyboard PCBs: the extra keyboard checks and firmware helpers
• CONTRIBUTING.md: setting up, adding checks, fixes and parts, and sending changes
• AGENTS.md: for AI agents using fabready or working on its code

Privacy

fabready runs entirely on your machine and makes no network requests itself. The app's Agent tab starts the coding agent you pick (Claude Code, Codex or OpenCode). That agent talks to its own AI provider, and on first use npx downloads its adapter from npm. Nothing is sent until you use the chat. If you click Install for KiCad in the app's setup, it runs Homebrew or winget, which download KiCad. fabready only writes:

• fabready-out/ next to your board: reports, images, and backups made before automatic fixes
• your .kicad_pcb, only when you or your agent apply an automatic fix, or you edit the board in the app
• fabready.json next to your board, only when you change settings or waive a finding in the app
• ~/.fabready/agent.json: the name of the last agent that connected over MCP, shown in the app

Disclaimer

fabready catches common mistakes, but it doesn't replace your fab's DRC, the parts' datasheets, or your own review. The fab profiles and part ratings are typical values and may be out of date. Always confirm with your manufacturer before ordering. KiCad, JLCPCB and other names are trademarks of their owners, and fabready isn't affiliated with them.

License

MIT. Third-party components and trademarks are listed in THIRD-PARTY-NOTICES.md.