Install
The checker is a Python command. The VS Code extension is an optional interface for the same review, plus a schematic viewer and a Markdown project tracker.
The commands on this page are the public install. PyPI and the extension marketplaces do not list PCBA Studio yet. Until those listings are live, request access and we will send the current build.
Command line
Python 3.11, 3.12, 3.13, or 3.14. The only package dependency is olefile, which reads the Altium file.
pip install pcbaThen, in a project:
pcba inspect .
pcba review .VS Code and Cursor
Search for PCBA Studio, publisher newmatik, in the Visual Studio Marketplace or on Open VSX. The viewer and the project tracker work on their own. The review command needs pcba on PATH.
MCP
With the virtual environment active, an MCP client can start the engine like this. The extension has a separate server for one sheet and for the project tracker.
{
"mcpServers": {
"pcba": { "command": "pcba", "args": ["mcp"] }
}
}