Joining the Beta Program
How to Apply
- Sign in to your Trace dashboard
- Scroll down to the Beta Program section (or go directly to buildwithtrace.com/dashboard/beta)
- Fill out the application form — select your primary use case and explain what you’re building
Invited Users
If a Trace team member invites you to the beta, you’ll see a “You’ve Been Invited” banner in your dashboard. Invited users go through the same agreement signing and onboarding flow, but skip the application review queue.Onboarding
After your beta application is approved and you’ve signed the agreement, the onboarding wizard walks you through setup:Choose a Username
Pick a unique display name (
@username). Usernames must be 2-30 characters, letters/numbers/underscores only. The field checks availability in real-time as you type — if a name is taken, you’ll see a message immediately.Beta Points & Leaderboard
Beta members earn points for participating in the program. Points measure your contribution and unlock recognition on the leaderboard.How to Earn Points
| Action | Points | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Sign beta agreement | Points awarded | Complete the in-app agreement signing |
| Complete onboarding | Points awarded | Finish the onboarding wizard and set your username |
| Submit feedback | Points awarded | Report a bug, request a feature, or share general feedback |
| First conversation | Points awarded | Start your first AI chat session |
| Daily active use | Points awarded | Use Trace on consecutive days |
| Refer a user | Points awarded | Invite someone who joins the beta |
| Community contribution | Points awarded | Share designs, write about Trace, or help others |
| Feature testing | Points awarded | Test specific features when requested by the team |
| Bug with reproduction steps | Points awarded | Submit a bug report with clear steps to reproduce |
Leaderboard
The leaderboard shows the top 10 beta members by total points. Check your ranking from the beta section of your dashboard.Feedback
Beta members submit feedback directly from the dashboard at buildwithtrace.com/dashboard/beta/feedback. Each submission earns points.Feedback Types
| Type | Points | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Bug Report | 150 pts | Something isn’t working as expected |
| Feature Request | 100 pts | An idea for a new capability or improvement |
| General Feedback | 75 pts | UX observations, workflow suggestions, or anything else |
Attachments
You can attach up to 5 files per submission (max 50 MB each). Supported formats:- Images — PNG, JPEG, GIF, WebP (drag-and-drop or click to browse)
- Videos — MP4, WebM, QuickTime
- Audio — MP3, WAV, OGG
- Documents — PDF, plain text
Tips for Effective Bug Reports
- Steps to reproduce the issue
- Expected vs actual behavior
- Screenshots or screen recordings showing the problem
- Your Trace version (Help → About)
- Operating system and version
Faster Support
For real-time help, join the Trace Discord and post in #help-support — the team and other beta testers actively troubleshoot issues there.Beta Downloads
Approved beta members get access to beta builds from the dashboard. The download section shows:- Platform toggle — Switch between macOS, Windows, and Linux downloads
- Version list — All available beta versions with the latest marked
- Release notes — Inline notes for each version showing what changed
- Older versions — Expandable list to download previous beta builds if needed
Preview Features
Datasheet-to-Footprint Generation
Upload a component datasheet and Trace automatically generates the symbol, footprint, and 3D model.- Schematic Symbol — Correct pin names, numbers, and groupings
- PCB Footprint — Accurate pad dimensions from mechanical drawings
- 3D Model (STEP) — For enclosure fit checking and visualization
Auto-Silkscreen Positioning
Automatically position reference designators and labels to avoid overlaps with pads, vias, and other silkscreen elements.- Consistent text orientation (readable from one direction)
- Automatic collision avoidance
- Smart placement near component without overlapping pads
- Batch processing for entire board
Enhanced 3D Export
Export your complete PCB assembly as a STEP file for integration with mechanical CAD software.- Import into Fusion 360, SolidWorks, or FreeCAD
- Design enclosures around your PCB
- Check clearances and interference
- Create product renders and documentation
One-Click Manufacturing
Submit your design directly to PCB fabrication partners with pre-configured settings.- Pre-configured board stackups for common fabs
- Automatic DFM (Design for Manufacturing) validation against your chosen fab’s actual manufacturing constraints before submission
- Instant quotes without leaving Trace
- Order tracking integration
- Partnering with manufacturers across multiple regions for fast, local turnaround