Electronics Sourcing Skill

This skill teaches you how to source electronic components effectively using parts-mcp tools. It covers tool sequencing, decision patterns, and how to handle common scenarios.

When to Use Which Search Tool

search_parts — Use when you have a part number, description, or general keywords. This is your default starting point.

"Find me a 100nF capacitor" → search_parts(query="100nF capacitor")
"Look up STM32F411" → search_parts(query="STM32F411")

search_by_parameters — Use when you need to match specific electrical parameters within a category. More precise than keyword search.

"I need a 50V 100nF X7R 0402 cap" → search_by_parameters(
  parameters={"capacitance": "100nF", "voltage": "50V", "dielectric": "X7R", "package": "0402"},
  category="capacitor"
)

Decision rule: If the user gives you 3+ specific parameters, use search_by_parameters. For part numbers or general queries, use search_parts.

The Search → Price → Availability → Alternative Pattern

This is the core sourcing workflow. Follow this sequence:

1. SEARCH → Find the part
2. DETAILS → Get full specifications (if needed for validation)
3. PRICE → Compare across suppliers
4. AVAILABILITY → Check stock levels
5. ALTERNATIVE → Find replacements (only if price is too high or stock is insufficient)

Do not skip steps 3 and 4. A part that exists in the database may be out of stock or prohibitively expensive.

When the user asks to "source" or "find" a part, they expect pricing and availability — not just search results. Always follow through to at least step 4.

BOM Processing Pattern

BOM processing is asynchronous. Always follow this exact sequence:

1. upload_bom(file_path=path)           → Get job_id
2. check_bom_status(job_id=job_id)      → Poll until status is "complete"
3. Review matched_parts and unknown_parts
4. For unmatched: search_parts() to resolve manually
5. calculate_bom_cost() with all resolved parts

Polling: Call check_bom_status and check the status field. If "in_progress", wait and poll again. Do not assume instant completion.

Handling unmatched parts: When unknown_parts is not empty, try search_parts with the value and footprint fields as the query. If still unmatched, report them to the user — do not silently skip them.

Datasheet Reading Strategy

Datasheets can be hundreds of pages. Always use this two-step approach:

1. list_datasheet_sections(sku="PART-NUMBER")
   → See the table of contents
   → Identify which sections contain what you need

2. read_datasheet(sku="PART-NUMBER", query="relevant keywords")
   → Read only matching chunks
   → Saves significant context window

Never call read_datasheet without a query parameter unless the datasheet is short (< 20 pages). An unfiltered read of a 200-page datasheet will consume excessive context.

Keyword tips: Use specific technical terms. "maximum input voltage absolute ratings" is better than "voltage". Multiple keywords narrow the results.

Manufacturing Pipeline

Manufacturing operations (DFM, fab quoting, assembly) are all asynchronous:

submit_dfm() → check_dfm_status()       # DFM analysis
quote_fabrication() → check_manufacturing_status()  # Fab quote
quote_assembly() → polls internally      # Combined fab + assembly

DFM first: Always run DFM analysis before requesting a fabrication quote. DFM may reveal issues that affect manufacturability or cost.

Assembly quotes combine fabrication and BOM costing in one call. Use quote_assembly when the user wants a complete per-unit cost including both PCB fabrication and component assembly.

Handling Partial Failures

Real-world sourcing often has partial results. Handle gracefully:

Some parts not found in BOM:

Report the unmatched count clearly
Attempt search_parts for each unmatched part
If still unmatched, list them for the user with their reference designators and values
Calculate cost for matched parts, noting the incomplete total

Some parts unavailable:

Report which parts are out of stock
Automatically call find_alternatives for each unavailable part
Present alternatives with their specifications and pricing
Let the user decide on substitutions

Price comparison with missing suppliers:

Report how many suppliers were checked
Note if key suppliers (the user's preferred ones) returned no results
Present available pricing data without waiting for all suppliers

KiCad Project Workflow

When working with KiCad projects:

1. find_kicad_projects()                    → Discover available projects
2. analyze_kicad_project(project_path=...)  → Understand project structure
3. extract_bom_from_kicad(project_path=...) → Get component list
4. match_components_to_parts(components=...) → Match to real parts
5. Follow the BOM processing pattern above for unmatched components

KiCad CLI requirement: BOM extraction may invoke kicad-cli if no existing BOM file is found in the project. Ensure KiCad 8+ is installed.

Local mode only: All KiCad tools require local mode (stdio transport). They are not available in hosted/HTTP mode.

Cost Optimization Tips

When helping users optimize costs:

Check quantity breaks: Call compare_prices with different quantities (1, 10, 100, 1000) to show price break curves
Suggest alternatives: If a part is expensive, call find_alternatives and compare pricing
Preferred suppliers: Use preferred_suppliers in calculate_bom_cost to bias toward the user's existing supplier relationships
Consolidation: When multiple parts come from the same supplier, note the potential for consolidated shipping

Response Patterns

When a user asks to "source a part": → search_parts → get_part_details → compare_prices → check_availability Present: part details, best price, stock status, and any concerns.

When a user provides a BOM file: → upload_bom → poll check_bom_status → report matched/unmatched → calculate_bom_cost Present: match rate, unmatched items, total cost, per-line breakdown.

When a user asks "is this in stock?": → check_availability with quantities Present: stock levels, number of suppliers with stock, whether quantity is meetable.

When a user asks about a datasheet: → list_datasheet_sections → read_datasheet with targeted query Present: the specific information requested, citing page numbers.

When a user asks for a manufacturing quote: → submit_dfm (if not already done) → quote_fabrication or quote_assembly Present: DFM issues (if any), estimated cost, lead time.

electronics-sourcing