Quickstart

Install the Architect CLI, authenticate your workspace, and run a first layout job with this guide. Allow under 30 minutes with a prepared input set.

Prerequisites

  • An active Architect account (early access invitation needed)
  • Python 3.9 or later
  • Your synthesis netlist (.v or .sv), timing constraints (.sdc), technology LEF (.lef), and floorplan DEF (.def)

Step 1: Install arc CLI

Install the arc CLI with pip:

shell 
$ pip install architect-cli

Verify installation:

shell 
$ arc --version
arc version 0.9.4

Step 2: Sign in

Use the login command to open a browser, finish authentication, and save credentials in ~/.arc/credentials.

shell 
$ arc login
Opening browser to https://app.architcetlabs.com/auth/device...
Waiting for authentication...
Authenticated as [email protected]

Step 3: Set up a design workspace

Make a workspace directory, then initialize it with your design files:

shell 
$ mkdir my_design && cd my_design
$ arc init \
    --netlist ./netlist.v \
    --sdc ./constraints.sdc \
    --lef ./tech.lef \
    --def ./floorplan.def \
    --project my-first-design
Workspace initialized. Project ID: prj_a1b2c3d4

Step 4: Start Layout Agent

Launch a layout job. Progress streams to the terminal. Routed DEF and SPEF go to ./output/.

shell 
$ arc run layout --project my-first-design
Starting layout job: job_x7y8z9...
  [1/4] Global placement...
  [2/4] Detailed placement...
  [3/4] Clock tree synthesis...
  [4/4] Global and detailed routing...
Layout complete. Outputs: output/routed.def, output/prelim.spef

Step 5: Use the Verify Agent

Run DRC, LVS and STA on layout:

shell 
$ arc run verify --project my-first-design
Running DRC...
Running LVS...
Running STA (setup + hold)...
  14 DRC violations found
   2 LVS discrepancies found
  Worst negative slack: -0.04 ns
Verify complete. Report: output/violations.json

Step 6: Use the Refine Agent

The Refine Agent reads the report and closes what it can:

shell 
$ arc run refine --project my-first-design
Processing 16 violations...
  Auto-fixed:       11
  Heuristic-retry:   3  (rerunning sub-regions...)
  Escalated:         2  (see output/escalations.json)
Refine complete. 14/16 violations resolved.

Review the 2 escalated violations in output/escalations.json with full root cause context.

Next steps