How to share a KiCad project
The three common ways to share a KiCad design, what the recipient actually sees with each, and how to pick.
Option 1: send a zip
Zip the project folder and send it. Include the .kicad_pro, .kicad_sch, and .kicad_pcb files plus any project-local libraries and 3D models, or the design will open with missing symbols and footprints on the other side. The recipient needs KiCad installed, ideally the same major version. Fine between two engineers, useless for anyone without KiCad.
Option 2: push to GitHub
A git repo gives you history and collaboration, and anyone can clone it. But GitHub shows KiCad files as s-expression text, so a reviewer still needs KiCad to see the schematic. See the full comparison in BoardRepo vs GitHub for KiCad.
Option 3: upload to BoardRepo
Upload the same zip (KiCad 6 or newer, up to 50 MB) and BoardRepo renders it: schematic SVG and PDF, PCB view, extracted BOM as CSV, and gerbers with drill files generated from the actual sources. The recipient opens a link in the browser. No install, no account. Public GitHub repos can also be imported directly, so the repo stays the source of truth and the board page links back to it.
Visibility is per project: public, private link, or private link with a password. Private links are never indexed. Every new upload becomes a version, so the link always shows the latest state and the history stays downloadable.