JLCPCB/LCSC Library Loader

This KiCad plugin allows you to search and download symbols/footprints with 3D models to a local .elibz library that can be read by KiCad.

System support

• KiCad: version 8.0.7 or newer.
• Windows: version 10 or newer with normal KiCad installation.
• Ubuntu: install KiCad from PPA. To make the preview work, install python3-wxgtk-webview4.0.
• Flatpak: works but preview is not available due to missing webkitgtk2.
• macOS: works (Python 3.9+)

Installation

1. Download the latest jlc-kicad-lib-loader-*-pcm.zip archive from Releases page.

2. Open PCM in KiCad, click "Install from File...", then choose the downloaded -pcm archive:

   

To support importing encrypted data

Windows

3. Open "KiCad x.x Command Prompt":

   

4. Execute pip install pycryptodome

   

Debian/Ubuntu

sudo apt install python3-pycryptodome

Flatpak

flatpak run --command=pip org.kicad.KiCad install pycryptodome

Other OSes

pip install pycryptodome

Mac OS

KiCad does NOT use the system Python (/usr/bin/python3). It comes with a built-in Python located inside the application.

The path to Python KiCad:

/Applications/KiCad/KiCad.app/Contents/Frameworks/Python.framework/Versions/Current/bin/python3

Installing pycryptodome

KPY="/Applications/KiCad/KiCad.app/Contents/Frameworks/Python.framework/Versions/Current/bin/python3"
"$KPY" -V
"$KPY" -m pip install --user pycryptodome

Checking the result

"$KPY" -c "from Crypto.Cipher import AES; print('pycryptodome OK')"

If you see:

pycryptodome OK

everything is set up correctly.

Installing certifi

On macOS, Python inside KiCad does not see the system certificate store, which causes the following error:

SSL: CERTIFICATE_VERIFY_FAILED

Installing certifi

"$KPY" -m pip install --user --upgrade certifi

Check:

"$KPY" -c "import certifi; print(certifi.where())"

Library setup

The plugin now automatically manages library configuration:

• Library Name Storage: The library name is saved in a jlc-kicad-lib-loader.ini file in your project directory and will be remembered for future use.
• Automatic Library Table Addition: When downloading components, if the library is not found in your project-specific Symbol/Footprint library tables, the plugin will prompt you to add it automatically.

Manual Library Setup (if needed)

If you need to manually add the .elibz library to your Symbol/Footprint library tables:

Symbol library table:

Footprint library table: