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KiCad
Electronics design automation suite
Design & CreativeFree
v9.0.7
Install with Homebrew
brew install --cask kicadHow to Install KiCad on Mac
Follow these steps to install KiCad using Homebrew, the most popular package manager for macOS. This works on both Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4) and Intel Macs.
- 1
Open Terminal
Launch Terminal from your Applications > Utilities folder, or press Cmd + Space and type "Terminal".
- 2
Install Homebrew
If you don't have Homebrew yet, paste the install script from brew.sh into Terminal and follow the prompts.
- 3
Run
brew install --cask kicadPaste the following command into Terminal and press Enter:
brew install --cask kicad - 4
Verify Installation
Run `brew list` to confirm kicad is installed, then try `kicad --version` to check the version number.
- 5
Launch KiCad
Run `kicad` in your Terminal to start using it.
Troubleshooting
- • If you see a permission error, try prefixing the command with
sudo. - • If Homebrew can't find the package, run
brew updatefirst to refresh the package list. - • On Apple Silicon Macs, make sure Homebrew is installed at
/opt/homebrew(the default for M-series chips).
What is KiCad?
Electronics design automation suite
Key Features
Easy installation via Homebrew
Regular updates and maintenance
Free to use
Professional support available
Pros
- ✓Simple one-command installation
- ✓Well-maintained and regularly updated
- ✓Completely free to use
Cons
- ✗Requires Homebrew to be installed
- ✗macOS only
Frequently Asked Questions about KiCad
Open Terminal, install Homebrew if you haven't already (visit brew.sh), then run `brew install --cask kicad`. The app will be downloaded and installed automatically. You can then run `kicad` from Terminal.
About the Author
Creative Software Expert
Design & Graphics SoftwarePhoto & Video EditingUI/UX Design Tools
10+ years in graphic design · Former creative director