> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.buildwithtrace.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Using Prompts

> Tips for writing effective prompts to get the best results from Trace.

## Be Specific

The more detail you provide, the better the results:

| Less Effective        | More Effective                                                                                          |
| --------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| "Make a power supply" | "Design a 5V to 3.3V buck converter using TPS563200, 500mA output, with input/output caps and inductor" |
| "Add some LEDs"       | "Add 4 red 0805 LEDs with 220Ω series resistors connected to GPIO pins PA0-PA3"                         |

## Provide Context

Tell Trace about your constraints:

* Target manufacturer (e.g., "I'm ordering from JLCPCB")
* Assembly method (e.g., "through-hole only, I'm hand-soldering")
* Board constraints (e.g., "must fit in a 50mm x 30mm enclosure")
* Budget considerations (e.g., "use common, cheap components")

## Ask Questions

Use **Ask mode** to learn before building:

* "How does a buck converter work?"
* "What capacitor values do I need for this LDO?"
* "Is this circuit correct for driving a relay?"
* "What's the difference between LDO and switching regulators?"

## Iterate

Build your design incrementally:

1. Start with the core circuit
2. Ask Trace to add protection (reverse polarity, ESD)
3. Add indicators (power LED, status LEDs)
4. Optimize component selection for your manufacturer

## Request Modifications

You can refine designs after generation:

* "Change R3 to 470Ω"
* "Move U2 closer to the connector"
* "Route the power traces wider"
* "Add a test point on the 3.3V rail"

## Attach Context

Drag and drop files into the chat to give Trace additional context:

* **Datasheets** — Attach a component datasheet and ask Trace to implement the recommended application circuit
* **Images** — Drop in a photo of a hand-drawn schematic, a reference design screenshot, or a board layout for Trace to analyze
* **Specifications** — Attach a requirements document or design spec and have Trace build to those constraints
* **BOMs** — Share an existing bill of materials to check availability or find alternatives

```
[attached: TPS563200_datasheet.pdf]
Implement the typical application circuit from page 18 of this
datasheet. Use the component values they recommend for 3.3V 3A output.
```

```
[attached: board_photo.jpg]
What components can you identify on this board? I want to
replicate this design in Trace.
```

## Any Language

Trace understands and responds in any language. Describe your circuit in whatever language you're most comfortable with — Trace will respond in kind. Component names and part numbers stay in their standard form, but explanations and interactions happen in your language.

```
Diseña un convertidor buck de 12V a 5V usando el MP1584EN.
Salida objetivo de 2A. Incluye protección de entrada con diodo TVS.
```

```
USB Micro-Bコネクタ付きのSTM32F103C8T6回路を設計してください。
3.3V LDOとSWDデバッグヘッダーを含めてください。
```

## Check Component Availability

Ask Trace to check if a specific component is in stock across all supported distributors — JLCPCB, LCSC, DigiKey, Mouser, Texas Instruments, and Amazon. Trace returns real-time stock levels, pricing, and suggests alternatives if something is out of stock or EOL.

```
Is the STM32F103C8T6 available? Check all suppliers and
give me pricing for 100 units.
```

```
Check availability of the TPS563200DDCR across JLCPCB,
LCSC, DigiKey, and Mouser. If it's out of stock anywhere,
suggest a pin-compatible alternative.
```

```
I need 50 units of ADS1115IDGSR. Where can I get the
best price? Also check if LCSC has it for JLCPCB assembly.
```

This works during design too — when Trace selects components for your schematic, it automatically checks availability and flags parts that are out of stock or have long lead times.

## Example Prompts

### Power Supply

```
Design a 12V to 5V buck converter using MP1584EN. Target 2A output.
Include input protection (TVS diode), input and output ceramic
capacitors per the datasheet, and a power indicator LED.
I'm using JLCPCB assembly, so prefer LCSC-stocked parts.
```

### Microcontroller Circuit

```
Set up an STM32F103C8T6 (Blue Pill) with:
- 8MHz crystal oscillator with load caps
- USB micro-B connector for programming
- SWD debug header (4-pin)
- 3.3V LDO from 5V USB power
- Decoupling caps on all VDD pins
- Reset button with debounce cap
```

### Sensor Interface

```
Design an analog front-end for a load cell:
- HX711 24-bit ADC for the load cell
- Excitation voltage filtering
- ESD protection on the sensor inputs
- I2C level shifter to connect to a 3.3V MCU
- All SMD, 0805 passives minimum
```