TraceCommand Line

PCB design from your terminal

35+ commands for AI-assisted design, validation, format conversion, and manufacturing — from your terminal or CI pipeline.

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Install

PyPIpip install buildwithtrace
Homebrewbrew install buildwithtrace/tap/buildwithtrace
npxnpx buildwithtrace

Works on macOS, Windows, and Linux. Requires the desktop app on macOS and Windows.

What you get

AI Design Commands

chat · ask · agent · plan · review · signal

Interactive AI sessions, single-shot queries, automated instructions, and full plan-execute workflows.

Format Conversion

convert schematic · convert pcb · convert project

Convert between Altium (.SchDoc/.PcbDoc), KiCad (.kicad_sch/.kicad_pcb), and Trace formats. Full Altium project import.

Local Validation

erc · drc · gerbers · export

Run electrical and design rule checks, generate Gerbers, export to PDF/SVG/BOM/STEP/netlist. No auth needed.

Components & BOM

components search · bom enrich · bom generate · dfm check

Search distributors with live pricing, validate BOMs against stock, enrich missing MPNs, run DFM analysis.

CI/CD Automation

GitHub Action · exit codes · JSON output · headless auth

First-class GitHub Action, structured exit codes (0–10), JSON output mode, headless auth via TRACE_API_TOKEN.

MCP Server

mcp serve · 12 tools · agent plugin

12-tool MCP server for Cursor, Windsurf, and any MCP-compatible client. Agent plugin via npx.

Hardware CI/CD, built in

Drop into any GitHub Actions workflow. Structured exit codes for reliable automation.

Validate on PR
name: PCB Checks
on: pull_request

jobs:
  validate:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
      - uses: buildwithtrace/github-action@v1
        with:
          command: erc my-board.kicad_sch
      - uses: buildwithtrace/github-action@v1
        with:
          command: drc my-board.kicad_pcb
AI Review on PR
name: AI Design Review
on: pull_request

jobs:
  review:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
      - uses: buildwithtrace/github-action@v1
        env:
          TRACE_API_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.TRACE_API_TOKEN }}
        with:
          command: review my-board.kicad_sch
Gerbers on Release
name: Generate Manufacturing Files
on:
  release:
    types: [published]

jobs:
  gerbers:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
      - uses: buildwithtrace/github-action@v1
        with:
          command: gerbers my-board.kicad_pcb -o outputs/

Exit Codes

0 success1 error2 auth required3 not found10 violations found

Live Altium bridge

Connect directly to a running Altium Designer instance. Review designs, ask questions, run DFM analysis — all from your terminal.

buildwithtrace altium serveStart the bridge server
buildwithtrace altium reviewAI design review of the active project
buildwithtrace altium askAsk questions about your design
buildwithtrace altium dfmRun DFM analysis on the active board

Bring your own model

Route AI through your own API key from any supported provider. Keys stored in your OS keychain. No Trace quota consumed.

$ buildwithtrace byok set anthropicStore key in keychain
$ buildwithtrace byok use anthropicRoute all AI calls through your key

Supports 3 major AI providers. Use your preferred model.

Ready to automate your PCB workflow?

Install in seconds. Works with your existing EDA tools, CI pipelines, and team workflows.

Download TraceRead the Docs