How to Create a Project in KiCad for PCB Design

To create a project in KiCad for PCB design, open KiCad and select File > New Project. Choose a folder and name your project, then KiCad creates the project files including schematic and PCB layout files automatically.

Syntax

The basic steps to create a project in KiCad are:

• Open KiCad: Launch the KiCad application.
• New Project: Go to File > New Project.
• Choose Location: Select a folder where the project will be saved.
• Name Project: Enter a project name; KiCad will create files with this name.
• Project Files: KiCad creates a .pro project file, schematic .sch file, and PCB layout .kicad_pcb file.

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File > New Project > Choose folder > Enter project name > Save

Example

This example shows how to create a new project named MyFirstPCB in KiCad.

• Open KiCad.
• Click File then New Project.
• Navigate to your desired folder.
• Type MyFirstPCB as the project name.
• Click Save.
• KiCad creates MyFirstPCB.pro, MyFirstPCB.sch, and MyFirstPCB.kicad_pcb files.

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1. Open KiCad
2. File > New Project
3. Select folder
4. Name: MyFirstPCB
5. Save
6. Project files created

Output

Project 'MyFirstPCB' created with files:
- MyFirstPCB.pro
- MyFirstPCB.sch
- MyFirstPCB.kicad_pcb

Common Pitfalls

Common mistakes when creating a project in KiCad include:

• Saving the project in a folder with spaces or special characters, which can cause file path issues.
• Not naming the project clearly, making it hard to identify later.
• Forgetting to save the project before starting schematic or PCB design, risking data loss.
• Confusing the project file .pro with schematic .sch or PCB .kicad_pcb files.

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Wrong: Save project in 'C:/My Projects/PCB1'
Right: Save project in 'C:/MyProjects/PCB1'

Quick Reference

Step	Action	Notes
1	Open KiCad	Launch the application
2	File > New Project	Start a new project
3	Choose folder	Avoid spaces/special chars in path
4	Enter project name	Use clear, simple names
5	Save	Creates .pro, .sch, .kicad_pcb files

Key Takeaways

Always create a new project via File > New Project in KiCad.

Choose a folder path without spaces or special characters.

Name your project clearly to keep files organized.

KiCad automatically creates schematic and PCB files with the project.

Save your project before starting design work to avoid data loss.