This topic is an index to answers for frequently asked questions about KiCad.
General tutorials
Where is the official documentation?
The official Getting Started in KiCad tutorial (up to date for KiCad version 6)
Tutorial: Introduction to PCB design with KiCad version 5.1 (Getting Started) (Written for outdated version of KiCad)
Is there a ‘quick start’ Youtube video I can check out?
General topics
Off-topic and on-topic in this forum
I think I found a bug? Now what?
KiCad suddenly begun to crash on Linux with Gdk-ERROR
Is it a good idea to use a nightly build version?
Can a project edited with newer version of KiCad opened with older version?
Where are the 3rd party plugins?
How to run v5 and v4 on the same machine (Windows only; external link) (Written for outdated version of KiCad)
Running several KiCad versions on the same Windows machine (longer article) (Mostly needless because different KiCad versions are nowadays installed independently from each other)
Where are the configuration files (settings, library tables)?
Updating from version 4 to version 5 ((Written for outdated version of KiCad)
Converting KiCad version 4 projects to version 5 (Remap a project)
Managing your projects
Project and libary setup for sharing and collaboration
How to crate a bill of materials (BOM)?
Advanced version control with git (external link)
Pros and cons of using a version control system (git; VCS in general; collaboration and distributed development)
Library
How to get a downloaded symbol, footprint or full library into KiCad?
Library management in KiCad version 5.1.x (Written for outdated version of KiCad but still mostly valid)
I installed KiCad 5 (under linux) but there are no libraries. (The default option for the sym-lib-table setup is disabled) (Written for outdated version of KiCad)
What is the difference between footprints and symbols?
How does KiCad know which symbol pin is connected to which pad of the footprint?
How to assign a footprint to a symbol
Footprints
Creating a new footprint library
How can i make a footprint (from scratch)?
How do i know a footprint fits my part? (KiCad version 5 and earlier) (Written for outdated version of KiCad)
How do check footprints for correctnes? (KiCad version 6)
Symbols
Tutorial: How to make a symbol (from scratch)
What do the electrical types for symbol pins mean?
Invisible power input pins (Disclaimer: written for version 4, details in the answers might differ for newer versions.)
Layout
Update PCB from Schematic’s match methods
What is the difference between opengl and other canvases?
How to create a power plane (using zones)
Why a zone doesn’t connect to a pad even though they belong to the same net?
What is the meaning of the layers in pcb_new and the footprint editor
How does solder mask layer work? (Answers the problem “soldermask (F.Mask or B.Mask) looks different in pcbnew and in gerber file”)
Courtyard: what is it and how to use, what is the “malformed” error
How do I get started doing my own scripts in pcbnew?
[and here] [and here]
How do I ‘panalize’ in Kicad?
[more] [Using mouse bites]
Coordinate system, grid and origins in Pcbnew
Castellated edge; plated half holes in board edge
Autorouting, autorouter, autoplacing
Custom Rules
Mechanical CAD integration and 3d models
Why a footprint points to a 3D model but the model file doesn’t exist?
3D models are missing in 3D viewer after updating to V6
V6 STEP 3d model export: Missing components or completely empty board is exported
Why are through holes covered with copper in the 3d viewer?
What is the difference between step and wrl 3d models?
How do I start with 3D modeling and what is this STEPUP I keep reading about on the forum?
kicadStepUp-cheat-sheet.pdf
KiCad stepup capabilities demonstration (MCAD integration)
Video Tutorials, ribbon cable, jumper wire, Freecad to Kicad
Schematic
What are the cache and rescue libs? How does the rescue process work?
KiCad v5.0 announcement of Symbol Library Table (Written for outdated version of KiCad)
Error Type 3 - Pin connected to some other pins but no pin to drive it.
Off-Board Components in KiCad 5 (Written for outdated version of KiCad)
About power symbols (Specifically about ground symbols)
Carrying BUS connections to new sheets
Simulation
Tutorial for getting started with ngspice in Kicad Eeschema.
Tutorial discussion thread
Ngspice does not behave the way I expect. Now what?
Adding a spice model to a symbol (Example for a transistor)
Tips and Tricks
Guidelines for good schematics
How to best connect a wire to the PCB?
Switching to KiCad from another Tool.
I come from Eagle. What should i know about KiCad?
Can I Export or Convert a KiCad Project to Another EDA Format (Altium, Mentor, Zuken, Orcad, etc.)?