tsci convert hardcodes KiCad reference placeholder REF** in reusable TSX footprints

Problem

Converting a KiCad footprint to a reusable TSX component copies its reference placeholder into a literal text="REF**". Instantiating that component as U1 and U2 prints REF** twice instead of the instance reference designators.

This is about preserving reference-field semantics, not automatically changing text sizes, rearranging arbitrary footprint text, or adding labels to every custom footprint.

Reproduction

Tested on Linux x64 with Bun 1.4.2, @tscircuit/cli@0.1.2057, tscircuit@0.0.2516 (resolving @tscircuit/core@0.0.1892), and TypeScript 5.9.3. These reproductions use only public tscircuit packages and synthetic components.

In an empty directory:

bun init -y
bun add --exact @tscircuit/cli@0.1.2057 tscircuit@0.0.2516 typescript@5.9.3

Use this tsconfig.json:

{"compilerOptions":{"jsx":"react-jsx","moduleResolution":"Bundler","module":"ESNext","target":"ESNext","skipLibCheck":true}}

two-pad.kicad_mod:

(footprint "TwoPad"
 (version 20240108)
 (generator "pcbnew")
 (layer "F.Cu")
 (attr smd)
 (fp_text reference "REF**" (at 0 -2) (layer "F.SilkS") (effects (font (size 1 1) (thickness 0.15))))
 (pad "1" smd rect (at -0.8 0) (size 0.9 1) (layers "F.Cu" "F.Paste" "F.Mask"))
 (pad "2" smd rect (at 0.8 0) (size 0.9 1) (layers "F.Cu" "F.Paste" "F.Mask"))
)

bunx tsci convert two-pad.kicad_mod --name TwoPad --output TwoPad.tsx

The generated component includes:

<silkscreentext pcbX={0} pcbY={2} anchorAlignment="center"
  fontSize={1} font="tscircuit2024" layer="top" text="REF**" />

converted-labels.tsx:

import { TwoPad } from "./TwoPad"
export default () => (<board width={12} height={8}>
 <TwoPad name="U1" pcbX={-3} schX={-2} />
 <TwoPad name="U2" pcbX={3} schX={2} />
</board>)

bunx tsci build converted-labels.tsx

In dist/converted-labels/circuit.json, pcb_silkscreen_text values are ["REF", "REF**"]**, while source components are named U1 and U2. The build succeeds.

Expected

The KiCad fp_text reference field should become an instance-aware reference label in generated TSX (for example, a supported reference placeholder or a binding to the component's name). Preserve its placement and styling, and keep ordinary user text literal.

Workaround

Change the generated reference text to text={props.name ?? "REF**"}. This is a local generated-code workaround, not a proposed universal fallback policy.

Scope / related reports

The CLI currently delegates this path to convertCircuitJsonToTscircuit after KiCad conversion, so the eventual fix may belong in that converter or in preservation of text-role metadata upstream of it. Filing here for the user-facing tsci convert reproduction.

• #1708 concerns the opposite conversion direction (mapping names when exporting to KiCad).
• tscircuit/core#2875 concerns generating labels absent from inline footprints. Here the label exists but has lost its reference semantics.

Start with the tsci convert path and trace its delegation to convertCircuitJsonToTscircuit, using the provided two-pad.kicad_mod and generated TwoPad.tsx reproduction. Check how the KiCad reference field is represented versus ordinary text; done means the built U1 and U2 labels are instance-aware while placement, styling, and literal user text remain unchanged.