Overview

Stop manually placing components for simple IoT boards. Let physics and AI do it in seconds.

CircuitPilot is an open-source AI agent that translates natural language into production-ready KiCad PCB layouts using a multi-stage pipeline. Unlike wrappers that just output text, CircuitPilot includes a custom built Force-Directed Physics Router to generate expert-quality boards with 45-degree multi-layer trace routing.

👉 Read the Deep Dive: How the Force-Directed Physics Router Works

Application

PCB Output Example (KiCad Desktop)

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How It Works

flowchart TD
    U(["User Prompt\n(Natural Language)"]):::user
    U --> P

    subgraph AI_PIPELINE ["AI Pipeline (3-Stage)"]
        direction TB
        P["Planner LLM\nExtracts categorized\ncomponent list"]:::llm
        P -->|"JSON: main_ics, decoupling_caps,\npassives, connectors"| C
        C["Critic LLM\nSelf-verification pass\nEnforces IPC rules"]:::critic
        C -->|"Corrected + IPC-compliant\ncomponent manifest"| R
    end

    subgraph ROUTER ["Native Python Router Engine"]
        direction TB
        R["Force-Directed\nPlacement Simulation\n(Physics-based clustering)"]:::engine
        R --> N["Net-Aware Ratsnest\nRouting\n(Shortest-first, per net)"]:::engine
        N --> T["45° Chamfered\nTrace Generator\nIPC-2152 width rules"]:::engine
        T --> G["KiCad PCB Builder\nMounting holes · GND pour\nMulti-layer vias"]:::engine
    end

    G -->|".kicad_pcb file"| WS
    WS["WebSocket Stream\nFastAPI Backend"]:::server --> KV
    KV["KiCanvas Viewer\nZoom · Pan · Download\nIn-browser PCB viewer"]:::frontend

    KV --> KD["KiCad Desktop\nFull DRC · 3D View\nGerber Export"]:::kicad

    classDef user fill:#6366f1,stroke:#4f46e5,color:#fff
    classDef llm fill:#0ea5e9,stroke:#0284c7,color:#fff
    classDef critic fill:#f59e0b,stroke:#d97706,color:#fff
    classDef engine fill:#10b981,stroke:#059669,color:#fff
    classDef server fill:#8b5cf6,stroke:#7c3aed,color:#fff
    classDef frontend fill:#334155,stroke:#475569,color:#fff
    classDef kicad fill:#1e40af,stroke:#1d4ed8,color:#fff

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Features

• Prompt-to-PCB in seconds: Describe any circuit in plain English, get a physical board
• LLM Self-Verification (Critic): A second AI pass enforces IPC design rules before routing — adds missing decoupling caps, crystal oscillators, resistors for LEDs automatically
• Force-Directed Physics Placement: Components cluster organically by electrical connectivity, not rigid grids
• Net-Aware Ratsnest Routing: Routes shortest connections first per net, like a real EDA tool
• IPC-2152 Trace Widths: Power nets routed at 0.8mm, signal nets at 0.25mm automatically
• Multi-Layer Routing: Automatically switches between F.Cu and B.Cu with drill vias
• DFM Edge Clearances: 15mm margins enforced from board edge (fabrication safe)
• Provider-Agnostic AI: Switch between OpenAI, Gemini, Anthropic, or local Ollama via .env
• Interactive KiCanvas Viewer: Zoom, pan, and inspect the board before downloading

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Architecture

Tech Stack

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Quick Start (Zero Friction)

The easiest way to run CircuitPilot is via Docker. You just need an LLM API key (OpenAI, Gemini, Anthropic, etc).

git clone https://github.com/Paramveersingh-S/CircuitPilot.git
cd CircuitPilot/backend
cp .env.example .env 
# Add your OPENAI_API_KEY to .env, then run:
cd .. && docker-compose up --build

Then open http://localhost:5173 in your browser!

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Local Development Setup

Prerequisites

• Node.js (v18+)
• Python (v3.11+)
• An LLM API key

1. Configure Environment

cd backend
cp .env.example .env
# Edit .env:
# OPENAI_API_KEY=your_key
# LLM_MODEL=openai/gpt-4o          # or gemini/gemini-2.0-flash
# OPENAI_API_BASE=http://localhost:11434  # for Ollama

2. Start the Backend

cd backend
python -m venv venv311
.\venv311\Scripts\Activate.ps1   # Windows
pip install -r requirements.txt
python -m uvicorn app.main:app --reload --port 8000

3. Start the Frontend

cd frontend
npm install
npm run dev

4. Docker (Full Stack)

docker compose up --build

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Usage

1. Navigate to http://localhost:5173/
2. Describe your circuit in the Chat Panel
3. Watch: Planner extracts components → Critic verifies IPC rules → Router generates the board
4. Use Scroll to zoom and Right-click drag to pan the board in the browser
5. Download the .kicad_pcb file and open in KiCad Desktop for full DRC + 3D view + Gerber export