Tutorial Part 1: Project

The first thing to do when starting a new design is to create a new project. Opening KiCad will bring up the Project Window. Click File → New Project, browse to your desired location, and give your project a name, such as getting-started. Make sure the Create a new folder for the project checkbox is ticked, then click Save. This will create your project files in a new subfolder with the same name as your project.

At left, the Project Files pane lists the files in the new project. There is a project file with the extension .kicad_pro, a schematic file with the extension .kicad_sch, and a board file with the extension .kicad_pcb. These files all share a name with your project.

There may also be a -backups directory: KiCad will automatically create backups of your project when you save, and optionally at fixed time intervals. The backup settings are configurable by going to Preferences → Preferences → Common → Project Backup.

At right of the Project Window, there are buttons to launch the various tools that KiCad provides. Launching these tools will automatically open the associated design file (schematic or PCB) from the current project. Start by opening the Schematic Editor.