A KiCad 9 / 10 plugin for introductory analog electronics courses at the University of Antwerp. Draw your schematic in Eeschema, then wire it up on a virtual breadboard, validate it against the schematic, and run simple SPICE checks from the breadboard view.
Current release name: Whole Wheat.
- Graphical overhaul with refreshed toolbar/menu icons, improved component rendering, and clearer side panels
- Drawing annotations: add lines, rectangles, circles, text, and text boxes directly on the breadboard
- SPICE simulation from the breadboard view, including DC operating point checks and KiScope transient waveforms
- Instrument probes for function generator, oscilloscope channels, and PSU connections
- Net highlighting from board holes or the net list overlay, plus improved validation markers for opens and shorts
- Bendable jumper wires with selectable or auto-cycled wire colours
- More configurable boards: split rails, binding-post placement/count, baseboard branding, and saved preferences
- Broader component support, including generic DIP ICs, switches, LEDs with selectable colours, Teensy 4.1, and Raspberry Pi-style 40-pin headers
In the press:
Built on CachyOS — tested on CachyOS, Ubuntu, and Windows.
1. Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/kerstensrobin/kicad-breadboard.git2. Run the install script
Linux / macOS:
cd kicad-breadboard
bash install.shWindows: double-click install.bat.
The script detects your KiCad version and creates the plugin link automatically. If something goes wrong, see Manual installation below.
3. Refresh plugins in KiCad
Open any project in the PCB Editor → Tools → External Plugins → Refresh Plugins. A breadboard icon appears in the right-hand toolbar.
The plugin only appears inside the PCB Editor, not the schematic editor — this is a KiCad limitation.
4. Open your project
Click the toolbar button. The plugin finds the netlist (.net) automatically. If you have not exported one yet, use "Update from schematic" in the toolbar — this calls kicad-cli to export it without leaving the window.
Draw your schematic in Eeschema:
Switch to the PCB Editor — a breadboard icon appears in the toolbar:
Place components and draw jumper wires on the virtual breadboard:
Click Validate to check your build against the schematic. Open nets and short circuits are highlighted:
Use Simulate for DC operating point analysis, or open KiScope for transient waveforms when the schematic contains a VSIN source.
- Renders a breadboard in six configurable sizes: mini (170 holes), half (400), full (830), double (2× full stacked), triple (3× full with vertical power rails), or double rails (2× full with vertical power rails on both sides)
- Parses a KiCad netlist and shows all placeable components in a side tray — any U-prefix IC with an even pin count is supported automatically, even if it is not in the built-in list (555 timers, 74xx logic gates, CD4xxx, counters, shift registers, …)
- Two-step placement for 2-pin components: click pin 1, then click pin 2; diagonal placement and power-rail connections are preserved when the component is moved later
- Single-click placement for DIP ICs and 3-pin components (BJT, POT); DIP bodies show the reference and value (e.g. U1 / RC4558) for quick identification
- Pin functions toggle (toolbar): shows the KiCad pin function name (e.g. TRIG, THRESH, GND) on every placed DIP IC instead of pin numbers; short labels stay vertical, long labels angle automatically to avoid overlap
- TO-92 transistors (BJT, JFET, MOSFET) show the current pinout order (e.g. C-B-E or G-S-D) on their card; click
>to cycle variants before placing - Film capacitors render as flat rectangles with the value printed on the body (e.g. C5 100nF); electrolytic capacitors render as top-down circles with a polarity stripe
- Diodes and Zener diodes render as compact axial bodies with a cathode band; long pin spacing extends the leads rather than stretching the body
- LEDs can be cycled through red, green, yellow, and blue before or after placement
- Draw bendable jumper wires between any two holes (tie strip, rail, or binding post); wire colour can auto-cycle or be fixed from the toolbar
- Validate the board against the schematic: highlights open nets (?) and shorts (⚡)
- Highlight schematic nets from the board or from the net list overlay; in highlight mode the overlay includes a MARK column with a radio-style target for each net
- Add drawing annotations directly on the breadboard: lines, rectangles, circles, text, and text boxes; annotations can be selected, moved, resized, edited, deleted, saved, and loaded
- Export the board as a PNG or SVG image
- "Update from schematic" re-exports the netlist via
kicad-cliwithout leaving the window - Save and load board sessions (
.kicad_bbrd) - Instrument probes: place function-generator, oscilloscope (1–4 channels), and PSU connection points on the board; drag their labels freely for better visibility
- SPICE DC operating point simulation (
.op) from the breadboard view; assigned source terminals are pre-filled from schematic voltage sources where possible - Transient simulation for VSIN-based schematics, with waveform thumbnails on the board and a dedicated KiScope oscilloscope window
- Preferences dialog (
File → Preferences…) controls instruments, display, board layout, binding posts, split rails, and export format; settings can be saved as defaults
The Simulate button opens a small simulation pane over the breadboard.
For .op analysis, assign the breadboard binding posts to schematic nets first. GND must be assigned. The plugin creates GND-referenced DC sources for assigned supply terminals and runs ngspice.
Where the schematic netlist contains voltage sources, the voltage fields are pre-filled from the netlist instead of always starting at 5.0 V. This includes common KiCad SPICE DC voltage sources and the DC offset of VSIN sources. The values remain editable before running.
Simulation is blocked when validation finds open nets or shorts, because the SPICE result would no longer represent the breadboard wiring.
When the schematic contains one or more VSIN sources, the simulation pane shows Open KiScope. KiScope is a CRT-style oscilloscope view with:
- 1–4 channels, depending on Preferences
- per-channel probe buttons for selecting breadboard nets
- TIME/DIV, POSITION, VOLTS/DIV, FOCUS, and INTEN controls
- MEAS and CURSORS overlays
- AUTO SET scaling
- CLEAR / RESET to disconnect all scope probes
- waveform thumbnails next to placed CH probes on the board
If your schematic uses the standard KiCad libraries, the plugin picks up your components automatically — no manual configuration needed.
Passives & discretes — resistors (with colour bands), capacitors (film and electrolytic), inductors, diodes, Zener diodes, LEDs, potentiometers, and common SPST/SPDT/SP3T switches are recognised.
Transistors — every BJT, JFET, and MOSFET in the standard Device:, Transistor_BJT:, and Transistor_FET: libraries is supported, whether you use a generic symbol (Device:NPN) or a specific part number (Transistor_BJT:BC547). Detection is based on the symbol name and the component description KiCad exports, so any part the library describes as "NPN Transistor" or "N-Channel MOSFET" will appear in the tray automatically.
ICs — any U-prefix component with an even pin count is placed as a DIP IC. The following op-amps additionally show named pin labels: TL081 (DIP-8), RC4558 (DIP-8), TL084 (DIP-14), and OPAMP / KiCad Simulation_SPICE (DIP-6, labelled "SIM").
Modules — Arduino Nano (+ Every, ESP32, RP2040 Connect, …), Arduino Uno R3, Teensy 4.1, Raspberry Pi Pico, and Raspberry Pi-style 40-pin GPIO headers.
Pinout selection for TO-92 transistors
The tray card for each transistor shows its current pinout (e.g. C-B-E or E-B-C for a BJT, G-S-D, G-D-S, or S-G-D for a FET). Click > to cycle through variants before placing.
Always verify the pinout against your component's datasheet.
| Type | Default (plugin) | Example parts that need a different variant |
|---|---|---|
| NPN BJT | C-B-E | 2N3904, 2N2222 → E-B-C |
| PNP BJT | C-B-E | 2N3906 → E-B-C |
| N-ch JFET | S-G-D | 2N5457 → D-G-S; other parts may need G-S-D or G-D-S |
| N-ch MOSFET | G-S-D | Parts where pin 1 = Drain (e.g. BS108) → D-G-S; other parts may need G-D-S |
| P-ch MOSFET | G-S-D | Check datasheet for your specific part |
| BS170 | S-G-D | — (fixed, single pinout) |
Toolbar buttons
| Button | Action |
|---|---|
| Open netlist | Load a .net file manually |
| Save session | Save placements and wires to .kicad_bbrd |
| Update from schematic | Re-export netlist from .kicad_sch via kicad-cli and reload (requires KiCad project; not available in standalone mode) |
| Schematic | Open the schematic in Eeschema |
| Export image | Save the current board view as a PNG or SVG (format set in Preferences) |
| Preferences | Open the Preferences dialog |
| Undo / Redo | Undo or redo board edits |
| Zoom | Zoom in, zoom out, or fit the board in view |
| Select | Select, move, resize, or edit placed items |
| Wire | Draw a jumper wire; use the colour picker to auto-cycle or fix wire colour |
| Delete | Delete components, wires, probes, or annotations |
| Net highlight | Highlight a schematic net by clicking a hole or the MARK column in the net list |
| Drawing tools | Add line, rectangle, circle, text, or text-box annotations |
| Validate | Check if the breadboard matches the schematic |
| Simulate | Open the SPICE simulation pane |
| Clear warnings | Dismiss ? / ⚡ validation markers |
| Clear board | Remove all placed components and wires |
Hotkeys
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| W | Wire mode |
| D | Delete mode |
| R | Rotate / flip component (during placement or when selected) |
| Esc | Back to Select / Move mode |
| Del / Backspace | Delete selected component, wire, probe, or annotation |
| Right-click on DIP | Rotate 180° |
| Right-click on binding post | Assign to schematic net |
| Ctrl+O | Open netlist |
| Ctrl+S | Save session |
| Ctrl+L | Load session |
| Ctrl+Z | Undo |
| Ctrl+Y / Ctrl+Shift+Z | Redo |
| Scroll | Zoom in / out |
| Shift+Scroll | Pan vertical |
| Ctrl+Scroll | Pan horizontal |
| Middle drag | Pan |
| Ctrl+Home | Fit view |
Preferences
Open File → Preferences… to configure the plugin. Settings take effect immediately when you click OK. Use Save as default to persist them to ~/.config/kicad_bbrd/prefs.json and restore them automatically on next launch.
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Enable instruments panel | Show or hide the Function generator / Oscilloscope / PSU section in the side panel |
| Auto-assign schematic ground | Automatically assign net 0 or GND to instrument grounds when a netlist is loaded |
| Oscilloscope channels | Number of oscilloscope channel rows shown (1–4) |
| PSU channels | Number of PSU channel pairs shown (1–3) |
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Show signal labels | Draw net names next to holes on the board |
| Show hotkey reference | Show or hide the hotkey reference panel at the bottom of the right side panel |
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Format | PNG (default) or SVG |
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Size / layout | Mini (170 holes, no rails) · Half (400 holes) · Full (830 holes) · Double (2× full stacked) · Triple (3× full + vertical rails) · Double Rails (2× full + side rails) |
| Split power rails | Electrically disconnect each power rail in the middle |
| Binding posts side | Position of the binding posts: Left, Right, top left/centre/right, or bottom left/centre/right |
| Number of binding posts | Show 2, 3, or 4 posts, where the layout has room |
| Show baseboard | Draw a coloured panel behind the breadboard(s) |
| Baseboard colour | Fill colour of the baseboard |
| Include branding | Display a logo image alongside the binding posts (on the outer side, away from the board) |
| Branding image | Path to a custom PNG/SVG/JPG image; leave blank to use the built-in default |
| Show binding posts on board | Toggle the circular binding-post terminals on the canvas |
Side panel — binding posts & instruments
Binding posts (GND, V1, V2, and optionally V3) can be assigned to schematic nets via the dropdowns or by right-clicking the post. GND is automatically assigned to net 0 (SPICE-style) or GND when a netlist is loaded. The validator treats an assigned binding post as an electrical endpoint on that net.
The Function generator, Oscilloscope, and Power supply (PSU) sections let you place optional probe markers on any hole. Each probe can be assigned to a schematic net independently of the binding posts. The instruments panel and the number of channels shown are configurable in Preferences.
| Probe | Instrument |
|---|---|
| FG+ | Function generator signal |
| FG⏚ | Function generator ground |
| CH1–CH4 | Oscilloscope channels (1–4 shown, set in Preferences) |
| SC⏚ | Oscilloscope ground |
| PSU1+ / PSU1− | PSU channel 1 positive / negative |
| PSU2+ / PSU2− | PSU channel 2 positive / negative |
| PSU3+ / PSU3− | PSU channel 3 positive / negative |
- Click Place to enter placement mode, then click any hole on the board.
- Click Remove (same button once placed) to remove the probe.
- In Delete mode (D), hover over a probe flag and click to remove it.
- In Select mode, drag a probe flag to reposition the label. A leaderline connects the label back to its hole. The label position is saved in the session file.
Drawing annotations
The right-side drawing toolbar can add:
| Tool | Action |
|---|---|
| Line | Click start, click end |
| Rectangle | Click one corner, click the opposite corner |
| Circle | Click centre, click radius |
| Text | Click position, then enter text |
| Text box | Drag a box, then enter wrapped text |
Annotations are saved in .kicad_bbrd session files. In Select mode, click an annotation to select it, drag it to move it, drag handles to resize it, double-click to edit properties, and press Delete or Backspace to remove it.
Manual installation
If the install script doesn't work, you can link or copy the plugin folder manually.
The scripting plugin directory depends on your KiCad version and OS:
| Platform | KiCad 9 | KiCad 10 |
|---|---|---|
| Linux | ~/.local/share/kicad/9.0/scripting/plugins/ |
~/.config/kicad/10.0/scripting/plugins/ |
| macOS | ~/Library/Preferences/kicad/9.0/scripting/plugins/ |
~/Library/Preferences/kicad/10.0/scripting/plugins/ |
| Windows | %APPDATA%\kicad\9.0\scripting\plugins\ |
%APPDATA%\kicad\10.0\scripting\plugins\ |
If you are unsure of the exact path, open KiCad and go to Preferences → Configure Paths….
Linux / macOS:
# KiCad 9
ln -s /path/to/kicad-breadboard/plugins/breadboard \
~/.local/share/kicad/9.0/scripting/plugins/breadboard
# KiCad 10
ln -s /path/to/kicad-breadboard/plugins/breadboard \
~/.config/kicad/10.0/scripting/plugins/breadboardWindows (PowerShell, adjust version number):
New-Item -ItemType Junction `
-Path "$env:APPDATA\kicad\10.0\scripting\plugins\breadboard" `
-Target "C:\path\to\kicad-breadboard\plugins\breadboard"Or simply copy the plugins/breadboard/ folder into the scripting plugins directory.
Standalone mode
Standalone mode is intended for UI development only. For the full workflow use the plugin inside KiCad as described above.
pip install wxPython
cd /path/to/kicad-breadboard
python -m plugins.breadboard.standalone path/to/circuit.netmacOS: "Update from schematic" says kicad-cli not found
When KiCad is launched from Finder, the Dock, or Spotlight, macOS does not pass your shell PATH to the application. The plugin handles this automatically by falling back to the standard KiCad install location (/Applications/KiCad/KiCad.app/Contents/MacOS/kicad-cli).
If you installed KiCad somewhere other than /Applications the fallback will not find it either. In that case, launch KiCad from Terminal instead:
open -a KiCadThis passes your shell environment (including PATH) to KiCad and the plugin will find kicad-cli normally.
Made with ♥ by nacho.works and University of Antwerp, Belgium.