# Ki Stack Orient

> |

- **Type:** Skill
- **Install:** `agentstack add skill-milind220-ki-stack-ki-stack-orient`
- **Verified:** Yes — security-reviewed for prompt injection and unsafe behavior
- **Seller:** [Milind220](https://agentstack.voostack.com/s/milind220)
- **Installs:** 0
- **Category:** [Agent Skills](https://agentstack.voostack.com/c/agent-skills)
- **Latest version:** 0.1.0
- **License:** MIT
- **Upstream author:** [Milind220](https://github.com/Milind220)
- **Source:** https://github.com/Milind220/Ki-Stack/tree/main/skills/ki-stack/ki-stack-orient

## Install

```sh
agentstack add skill-milind220-ki-stack-ki-stack-orient
```

Requires the [AgentStack CLI](https://agentstack.voostack.com/docs/cli). Works with Claude Code, Cursor, and any MCP-compatible agent.

## About

# ki-stack-orient

## Preamble (run first)

Run this before choosing a KiCad workflow:

```bash
KI_STACK_DIR="${KI_STACK_DIR:-skills/ki-stack}"
"$KI_STACK_DIR/bin/ki-stack-update-check" 2>/dev/null || true
"$KI_STACK_DIR/bin/kicad-project-find" . 2>/dev/null | sed -n '1,80p' || true
"$KI_STACK_DIR/bin/kicad-version" 2>/dev/null || true
"$KI_STACK_DIR/bin/kicad-python-smoke" 2>/dev/null || true
```

Read these when the task touches the area:

- `skills/ki-stack/ETHOS.md`
- `skills/ki-stack/references/version-matrix.md`
- `skills/ki-stack/references/render-recipes.md`
- `skills/ki-stack/references/ipc-recipes.md`
- `skills/ki-stack/references/ipc-board-workflows.md`
- `skills/ki-stack/references/file-editing-recipes.md`

## Stack Rules

- PCB editor interaction or current selection: use `kicad-python` IPC.
- Render, import/export, DRC, ERC, fabrication, 3D outputs: use `kicad-cli`.
- Schematic/library/project file edits: use `kicad-skip`, `kiutils-rs`, or another structured parser. Do not hand-roll S-expression edits when a parser fits.
- Parts search and KiCad-ready vendor artifacts: check `https://pcbparts.dev/` early.
- File format truth: use KiCad developer file-format docs at `https://dev-docs.kicad.org/en/file-formats/`.
- No success claim without evidence: artifact path, DRC/ERC output, changed file list, or script output.

## Completion Status

- `DONE`: completed and verified.
- `DONE_WITH_CONCERNS`: completed but proof is partial, version-limited, or blocked by pre-existing issues.
- `BLOCKED`: prerequisite unavailable or command failed after a concrete attempt.
- `NEEDS_CONTEXT`: target file, object, board session, or intended result is unclear.

## Purpose

This is the first skill for KiCad work. It makes the agent stop guessing and quickly answer:

1. What KiCad files are present?
2. What KiCad version and CLI are available?
3. Are Python IPC bindings installed?
4. Is a live KiCad board reachable?
5. Which substrate should do the work?

## Decision Table

| User intent | First route | Why |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Current board, selected items, interactive PCB editor state | `ki-stack-live` / `ki-stack-pcb` with `kicad-python` | IPC sees the open editor and selection. |
| Move/inspect/update footprints, tracks, vias, zones, layers | `ki-stack-pcb` with `kicad-python` | This is PCB editor interaction. |
| Render board/schematic/symbol/footprint | `ki-stack-render` with `kicad-cli` | Deterministic visual artifact. |
| DRC/ERC, fabrication, 3D, BOM/netlist/export/import/upgrade | `ki-stack-verify` or `ki-stack-render` with `kicad-cli` | The CLI already owns these flows. |
| Schematic/project/library text-variable or symbol metadata edit | `ki-stack-file-surgery` with `kicad-skip` or `kiutils-rs` | Structured file edit beats raw S-expression surgery. |
| Need a new part, JLC/LCSC/CSE artifact, KiCad symbol/footprint | Search `https://pcbparts.dev/` first | Parts search is a solved external data problem. |
| Unsure what a token means | KiCad file-format docs | `https://dev-docs.kicad.org/en/file-formats/` is source of truth. |

## CLI Surface To Remember

`kicad-cli` covers much more than render:

- `api-server`: headless IPC server on newer KiCad.
- `fp`: footprint export and upgrade.
- `gerber`: convert, diff, inspect Gerber files.
- `jobset`: run `.kicad_jobset` outputs.
- `pcb`: DRC, import, upgrade, render, export.
- `sch`: ERC, upgrade, BOM, netlist, PDF/SVG/PNG/DXF/HPGL/PostScript.
- `sym`: symbol export and upgrade.
- `version`: version info.

High-value PCB exports:

- fabrication: Gerber, drill, position, IPC-D-356, IPC-2581, ODB++, GenCAD.
- documentation: PDF, SVG, PNG, DXF, HPGL, PostScript, statistics.
- 3D/mechanical: STEP, STEPZ, STL, GLB, VRML, PLY, U3D, BREP, XAO, 3D PDF.

## Orient Commands

```bash
KI_STACK_DIR="${KI_STACK_DIR:-skills/ki-stack}"
"$KI_STACK_DIR/bin/kicad-project-find" .
"$KI_STACK_DIR/bin/kicad-version"
"$KI_STACK_DIR/bin/kicad-python-smoke"
"$KI_STACK_DIR/bin/kicad-python-smoke" connect
```

If `connect` fails, do not force IPC. Use the error to decide:

- import failed: install or fix `kicad-python`.
- connect failed: KiCad GUI/API server not reachable.
- board failed: KiCad reachable but no board open.

## Evidence Contract

Before ending a KiCad task, produce at least one:

- rendered artifact path
- DRC/ERC JSON path and pass/fail summary
- IPC script output
- structured parser output or changed file diff
- part-search source URL or artifact path

## Completion

Report:

```text
KI-STACK ORIENT
Files: 
KiCad: 
IPC: 
Route: 
Next skill: 
Status: DONE|DONE_WITH_CONCERNS|BLOCKED|NEEDS_CONTEXT
```

## Source & license

This open-source skill is cataloged on AgentStack and links to its original source — we do not rehost the code.

- **Author:** [Milind220](https://github.com/Milind220)
- **Source:** [Milind220/Ki-Stack](https://github.com/Milind220/Ki-Stack)
- **License:** MIT

Install and usage instructions live in the source repository linked above.

## Pricing

- **Free** — Free

## Security capabilities

Automated source analysis of v0.1.0 — what this tool can access:

- **Network access:** no
- **Filesystem access:** no
- **Shell / process execution:** no
- **Environment & secrets:** no
- **Dynamic code execution:** no

*"Yes" means the capability is present in the source — more access means more to trust, not that it is unsafe.*


## Versions

- **0.1.0** — security scan: passed — Imported from the upstream source.

## Links

- Listing page: https://agentstack.voostack.com/l/skill-milind220-ki-stack-ki-stack-orient
- Seller: https://agentstack.voostack.com/s/milind220
- Browse the marketplace: https://agentstack.voostack.com/browse

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