Treat KiCad /net vs schematic net as one hierarchy finding.

Pad-net compare strips leading slash and nested sheet path so /ESP32_EN
matches ESP32_EN. If every mismatch is only that prefix, emit PE-LAY-003
once instead of per-pad reconnect errors.

backend/periscopex/pcb_net_match.py

@@ -1,6 +1,10 @@
 """Pad net on the PCB vs pin net on the schematic graph.
 
 Silent when either side has no name. Power-flag footprints (#PWR) skipped.
+
+KiCad PCB net names often keep a root-sheet ``/`` (and nested sheet path)
+that a flattened schematic netlist omits. Those are the same net: do not
+emit per-pad reconnect findings.
 """
 
 from __future__ import annotations
@@ -8,6 +12,38 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 from backend.periscopex.models import DesignGraph, Finding, LayoutGraph
 
 
+def normalize_kicad_hierarchy_net(name: str) -> str:
+    """Drop leading slashes; keep inner sheet path (``sheet/NET``)."""
+    n = (name or "").strip().replace("\\", "/")
+    while n.startswith("/"):
+        n = n[1:]
+    while n.endswith("/") and n:
+        n = n[:-1]
+    return n
+
+
+def kicad_nets_match(a: str, b: str) -> bool:
+    """True if schematic and PCB names are the same KiCad net.
+
+    Equal strings match. After stripping leading ``/``, equal names match
+    (``/ESP32_EN`` vs ``ESP32_EN``). A flattened leaf also matches a nested
+    path that ends with ``/{leaf}`` (``REGN`` vs ``/power/REGN``). Different
+    sheets that only share a last segment (``sheet1/CLK`` vs ``sheet2/CLK``)
+    do not match each other.
+    """
+    if not a or not b:
+        return False
+    if a == b:
+        return True
+    na = normalize_kicad_hierarchy_net(a)
+    nb = normalize_kicad_hierarchy_net(b)
+    if not na or not nb:
+        return False
+    if na == nb:
+        return True
+    return na.endswith("/" + nb) or nb.endswith("/" + na)
+
+
 def _ensure_recommendation(f: Finding) -> Finding:
     if not (f.recommendation or "").strip():
         f.recommendation = (
@@ -16,6 +52,13 @@ def _ensure_recommendation(f: Finding) -> Finding:
     return f
 
 
+def _hierarchy_only_mismatch(pcb_net: str, sch_net: str) -> bool:
+    """PCB vs schematic differ only by KiCad sheet-path prefix."""
+    if pcb_net == sch_net:
+        return False
+    return kicad_nets_match(pcb_net, sch_net)
+
+
 def check_pcb_net_match(
     graph: DesignGraph,
     layout: LayoutGraph | None,
@@ -47,6 +90,9 @@ def check_pcb_net_match(
             pins=[],
         )))
 
+    real: list[tuple[str, str, str, str]] = []  # ref, pad, pcb_net, sch_net
+    hierarchy: list[tuple[str, str, str, str]] = []
+
     for ref, fp in sorted(layout.footprints.items()):
         if ref.startswith("#"):
             continue
@@ -59,14 +105,62 @@ def check_pcb_net_match(
             sch_net = graph.pin_net(ref, pad.number)
             if not sch_net:
                 continue
-            if sch_net == pad.net:
+            if pad.net == sch_net:
                 continue
+            if _hierarchy_only_mismatch(pad.net, sch_net):
+                hierarchy.append((ref, pad.number, pad.net, sch_net))
+                continue
+            real.append((ref, pad.number, pad.net, sch_net))
+
+    if hierarchy and not real:
+        examples: list[str] = []
+        seen_pairs: set[tuple[str, str]] = set()
+        for _ref, _pad, pcb_net, sch_net in hierarchy:
+            pair = (pcb_net, sch_net)
+            if pair in seen_pairs:
+                continue
+            seen_pairs.add(pair)
+            examples.append(f"PCB '{pcb_net}' ↔ schematic '{sch_net}'")
+            if len(examples) >= 8:
+                break
+        extra = len(seen_pairs) - len(examples)
+        example_txt = "; ".join(examples)
+        if extra > 0:
+            example_txt += f" (+{extra} more)"
+        first_ref = hierarchy[0][0]
+        first_comp = graph.components.get(first_ref)
+        findings.append(_ensure_recommendation(Finding(
+            designator=first_ref,
+            mpn=(first_comp.mpn if first_comp else "") or "",
+            aspect="pcb_match",
+            finding=(
+                "Schematic and PCB net names differ only by KiCad hierarchy "
+                f"prefix ({len(hierarchy)} pads). Examples: {example_txt}."
+            ),
+            why=(
+                "KiCad stores board nets with a leading '/' and optional sheet "
+                "path; a flattened schematic netlist usually omits that prefix. "
+                "These pads are the same electrical nets."
+            ),
+            status="INFO",
+            recommendation=(
+                "Update the PCB from the schematic (or re-export a netlist with "
+                "the same hierarchy flattening) so names match. Do not retouch "
+                "individual pads."
+            ),
+            source="pcb_net_match",
+            rule_id="PE-LAY-003",
+            pins=[],
+        )))
+
+    for ref, pad_no, pcb_net, sch_net in real:
+        comp = graph.components[ref]
         findings.append(_ensure_recommendation(Finding(
             designator=ref,
             mpn=comp.mpn or "",
             aspect="pcb_match",
             finding=(
-                    f"{ref}.{pad.number} PCB net '{pad.net}' does not match "
+                f"{ref}.{pad_no} PCB net '{pcb_net}' does not match "
                 f"schematic net '{sch_net}'."
             ),
             why=(
@@ -75,12 +169,12 @@ def check_pcb_net_match(
             ),
             status="ERROR",
             recommendation=(
-                    f"Reconnect pad {ref}.{pad.number} to '{sch_net}' "
+                f"Reconnect pad {ref}.{pad_no} to '{sch_net}' "
                 f"(or fix the schematic if the PCB is authoritative)."
             ),
             source="pcb_net_match",
             rule_id="PE-LAY-001",
-                net=pad.net,
+            net=pcb_net,
-                pins=[pad.number],
+            pins=[pad_no],
         )))
     return findings

backend/periscopex/placement_check.py

@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ from backend.periscopex.models import (
     LayoutGraph,
     LayoutPad,
 )
+from backend.periscopex.pcb_net_match import kicad_nets_match
 from backend.periscopex.validate import _match_constraints
 
 
@@ -146,7 +147,7 @@ def _decoupling_finding(ref, comp, cons, rule, graph: DesignGraph, layout: Layou
         if not fp:
             continue
         for pad in fp.pads:
-            if pad.net == net or pad.net == ic_pad.net:
+            if kicad_nets_match(pad.net, net) or kicad_nets_match(pad.net, ic_pad.net):
                 cap_pads.append(pad)
     if not cap_pads:
         return []
@@ -215,7 +216,7 @@ def _same_layer_finding(ref, comp, cons, rule, graph: DesignGraph, layout: Layou
         return []
     if len(ic_fp.courtyard) >= 3:
         for v in layout.vias:
-            if v.net and v.net != net:
+            if v.net and not kicad_nets_match(v.net, net):
                 continue
             if _in_poly(v.x, v.y, ic_fp.courtyard):
                 return []

backend/periscopex/placement_pack.py

@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ from pydantic import BaseModel
 
 from backend.periscopex.functional_groups import FunctionalGroupsReport, PlacementIcGroup
 from backend.periscopex.models import DesignGraph, LayoutGraph, LayoutPad
+from backend.periscopex.pcb_net_match import kicad_nets_match
 
 SkipReason = Literal[
     "no_pcb_footprints",
@@ -179,7 +180,7 @@ def _anchor_pad(
                                 return pad
                         # No matching pad number — pick any pad on that net.
                         for pad in fp.pads:
-                            if pad.net and pad.net == net:
+                            if pad.net and kicad_nets_match(pad.net, net):
                                 return pad
     # Prefer a pad on a power-looking net shared with decoupling sats.
     for pad in fp.pads:

tests/test_pcb_review.py

@@ -62,6 +62,92 @@ def test_pad_net_mismatch_is_pe_lay_001():
     assert findings[0].rule_id == "PE-LAY-001"
     assert findings[0].status == "ERROR"
     assert findings[0].recommendation
+    assert "Reconnect pad" in findings[0].recommendation
+
+
+def test_kicad_hierarchy_slash_is_one_sync_finding_not_per_pad():
+    """PCB /X vs schematic X (Emmaforo table) — one PE-LAY-003, pads treated as same net."""
+    from backend.periscopex.pcb_net_match import kicad_nets_match
+
+    pairs = [
+        ("/ESP32_EN", "ESP32_EN"),
+        ("/ESP_32_BOOT", "ESP_32_BOOT"),
+        ("/REGN", "REGN"),
+        ("/LED_SDATA", "LED_SDATA"),
+        ("/power/REGN", "REGN"),
+    ]
+    for pcb, sch in pairs:
+        assert kicad_nets_match(pcb, sch), (pcb, sch)
+    assert not kicad_nets_match("/sheet1/CLK", "/sheet2/CLK")
+    assert not kicad_nets_match("/ESP32_EN", "ESP32_BOOT")
+
+    pins = {
+        "1": "ESP32_EN",
+        "2": "ESP_32_BOOT",
+        "3": "REGN",
+        "4": "LED_SDATA",
+    }
+    graph = DesignGraph(
+        components={
+            "U1": Component(
+                reference="U1", value="", footprint="",
+                component_type=ComponentType.IC, mpn="ESP",
+                pins=pins,
+            ),
+        },
+        nets={n: Net(name=n, net_type=NetType.SIGNAL, pins=[]) for n in pins.values()},
+    )
+    layout = LayoutGraph(
+        footprints={
+            "U1": LayoutFootprint(
+                reference="U1", x=0, y=0, layer="F.Cu",
+                pads=[
+                    LayoutPad(number="1", x=0, y=0, net="/ESP32_EN"),
+                    LayoutPad(number="2", x=1, y=0, net="/ESP_32_BOOT"),
+                    LayoutPad(number="3", x=2, y=0, net="/REGN"),
+                    LayoutPad(number="4", x=3, y=0, net="/LED_SDATA"),
+                ],
+            ),
+        },
+    )
+    findings = check_pcb_net_match(graph, layout)
+    assert [f.rule_id for f in findings] == ["PE-LAY-003"]
+    assert findings[0].status == "INFO"
+    assert "individual pads" in findings[0].recommendation.lower() or "Do not retouch" in findings[0].recommendation
+    assert "Won't fix" not in findings[0].recommendation
+    assert "Reconnect pad" not in findings[0].recommendation
+
+
+def test_hierarchy_plus_real_mismatch_keeps_only_real_pe_lay_001():
+    graph = DesignGraph(
+        components={
+            "U1": Component(
+                reference="U1", value="", footprint="",
+                component_type=ComponentType.IC, mpn="X",
+                pins={"1": "ESP32_EN", "2": "GND"},
+            ),
+        },
+        nets={
+            "ESP32_EN": Net(name="ESP32_EN", net_type=NetType.SIGNAL, pins=[]),
+            "GND": Net(name="GND", net_type=NetType.GROUND, pins=[]),
+            "+3V3": Net(name="+3V3", net_type=NetType.POWER, pins=[]),
+        },
+    )
+    layout = LayoutGraph(
+        footprints={
+            "U1": LayoutFootprint(
+                reference="U1", x=0, y=0, layer="F.Cu",
+                pads=[
+                    LayoutPad(number="1", x=0, y=0, net="/ESP32_EN"),
+                    LayoutPad(number="2", x=1, y=0, net="+3V3"),
+                ],
+            ),
+        },
+    )
+    findings = check_pcb_net_match(graph, layout)
+    assert [f.rule_id for f in findings] == ["PE-LAY-001"]
+    assert findings[0].pins == ["2"]
+    assert "+3V3" in findings[0].finding
 
 
 def test_missing_footprint_is_pe_lay_002():