Files

T

Jochem d7b9ebd08f 🧹 Major cleanup: Simplify to Nexar API only

✅ Removed:
- All old ZIP files (8 versions)
- Complex Digi-Key V4 API server
- Old test files and documentation
- Obsolete API documentation

🔄 Updated:
- Renamed octopart.py → nexar.py (correct API name)
- Updated MCP config to use nexar_api only
- Simplified README for Nexar focus
- Clean project structure

🎯 Result:
- Single API: Nexar (FREE tier: 1K calls/month)
- Multi-distributor pricing in one call
- Demo mode works without API key
- Much simpler setup than Digi-Key V4

2025-08-01 19:59:11 +02:00

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Nexar API Setup Guide for KiCad AI Assistant

Quick Start - Free Tier Available!

Nexar API (formerly Octopart) provides comprehensive component pricing from multiple distributors in a single API call. Much simpler than managing individual distributor APIs!

Free Tier: Welcome 1K Plan

1,000 API calls per month - completely free
Access to all major distributors (Digi-Key, Mouser, Farnell, Newark, Arrow, etc.)
Multi-distributor pricing comparison in single request
No credit card required for free tier

Setup Steps

1. Create Nexar Account

Visit: https://portal.nexar.com
Sign up with your email
Verify your email (check spam folder if needed)
Log into the Nexar portal

2. Create Application

In Nexar portal, click "Create Application"
Choose application type: "Supply Chain"
Give it a name like "KiCad AI Assistant"
Description: "Component pricing for PCB design"

3. Get API Token

After creating the app, you'll get an API token
Copy this token - you'll need it for the environment variable

4. Configure KiCad AI Assistant

Set the environment variable:

export NEXAR_TOKEN="your_token_here"

Or add to your shell profile (~/.zshrc for zsh):

echo 'export NEXAR_TOKEN="your_token_here"' >> ~/.zshrc
source ~/.zshrc

Testing the Setup

Run the test script to verify everything works:

cd /Users/jochem/Project/KIC-AI
python test_octopart_setup.py

What You Get

Multi-Distributor Pricing

One API call returns pricing from:

Digi-Key
Mouser Electronics
Farnell/element14
Newark
Arrow Electronics
Future Electronics
And many more...

Example Response

For a 10kΩ resistor query, you'll get:

{
  "parts": [
    {
      "mpn": "CF14JT10K0",
      "manufacturer": "Stackpole Electronics Inc",
      "pricing": {
        "digikey": {"price": 0.10, "stock": 50000},
        "mouser": {"price": 0.09, "stock": 25000},
        "farnell": {"price": 0.11, "stock": 15000}
      },
      "best_price": {"distributor": "mouser", "price": 0.09}
    }
  ]
}

KiCad Integration

The AI assistant can now:

Find real component pricing for your BOM
Compare prices across all distributors
Suggest cost optimizations
Find alternative parts with better pricing
Calculate total BOM costs with real data

No More Complex API Setup!

Unlike Digi-Key V4 API which requires:

❌ Client ID + Client Secret
❌ OAuth flow management
❌ Sandbox vs Production URLs
❌ Complex authentication

Nexar API only needs:

✅ Single API token
✅ Simple GraphQL queries
✅ All distributors in one call
✅ Free tier with 1K calls/month

API Limits & Costs

Free Tier (Welcome 1K)

1,000 calls/month
All distributor access
Real-time pricing
No credit card required

Paid Tiers (if you need more)

Contact Nexar for enterprise pricing
Higher call limits available

Demo Mode

Even without an API token, the MCP server works in demo mode with realistic pricing data, so you can test the integration immediately!

Troubleshooting

No Email Confirmation?

Check spam/junk folder
Try different email address
Contact Nexar support if needed

Token Not Working?

Verify token is set correctly: echo $NEXAR_TOKEN
Check token hasn't expired in portal
Ensure no extra spaces in environment variable

Rate Limiting?

Free tier: 1,000 calls/month
Check usage in Nexar portal
Consider caching results for development

Support

Nexar Documentation: https://docs.nexar.com
Support: support@nexar.com
KiCad AI Assistant: Check GitHub issues

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