stm32PinValidator/README.md

STM32 Pin Validator

KiCad pcbnew action plugin that validates STM32 MCU pin assignments by comparing three sources:

1. PCB layout - pad net names (via pcbnew API)
2. Schematic - pin names and labels (parsed from .kicad_sch)
3. STM32CubeMX - GPIO signals and labels (parsed from .ioc)

Results are shown in a colour-coded table so mismatches are easy to spot.

Features

• Colour-coded status: green (match), yellow (review), red (PCB/IOC only), grey (power)
• Filter to show warnings only
• Handles pin remapping and GPIO aliases (e.g. PA9/PA11)
• Traces schematic wires to find connected labels (both local and global)
• Normalises naming conventions (+/P, -/M, leading /)
• Remembers previously used .ioc file paths

Installation

Manual

Copy the contents of plugins/ into a stm32_pin_validator folder inside your KiCad scripting plugins directory. The plugins directory location depends on your OS and KiCad version — you can find it in KiCad under Preferences > Configure Paths (look for KICAD_USER_PLUGIN_DIR).

KiCad PCM

Search for "STM32 Pin Validator" in KiCad's Plugin and Content Manager.

Usage

1. Open your PCB in KiCad pcbnew
2. Click the STM32 Pin Validator toolbar button (or find it under Tools > External Plugins)
3. Select the MCU footprint and browse to the matching .ioc file
4. Review the results table

Status column

Status	Meaning
Match	Schematic label or PCB net matches IOC label/signal
Review	Both sides have signals but names differ
PCB Only	Pin connected in PCB but not configured in IOC
IOC Only	Pin configured in IOC but unconnected in PCB
NC	Not connected on either side
Power	Power pin (VDD, VSS, etc.) - skipped

Requirements

• KiCad 9.0 or later
• An STM32CubeMX .ioc file for the target MCU

License

GPL-3.0-or-later