These commands are planned and not yet available. This page documents the intended interface. Available on Pro plans and above.
trace init
Create a new Trace project.
trace init [project-name] [options]
| Option | Description |
|---|
--template <name> | Use a project template (blank, arduino, stm32, esp32, rpi-pico) |
--path <dir> | Create in a specific directory |
--layers <n> | Number of copper layers (default: 2) |
--size <WxH> | Board dimensions in mm (e.g., 100x80) |
# Create a 4-layer board from the STM32 template
trace init motor-controller --template stm32 --layers 4 --size 60x40
trace export
Export manufacturing files from a project.
trace export [options] <project-path>
| Option | Description |
|---|
--format <type> | Output format: gerber, bom, step, pick-and-place, pdf, odb++, ipc2581, all |
--output <dir> | Output directory (default: ./output) |
--layers <list> | Specific layers to export (comma-separated) |
--manufacturer <name> | Use manufacturer presets: jlcpcb, pcbway, oshpark, eurocircuits |
--zip | Package outputs into a fab-ready ZIP |
--validate | Run DFM validation before export |
# Export everything for JLCPCB in a ZIP
trace export --manufacturer jlcpcb --format all --zip ./board.kicad_pro
# Export just the BOM as CSV
trace export --format bom --output ./bom.csv ./board.kicad_pro
# Export STEP for mechanical integration
trace export --format step --output ./mechanical/board.step ./board.kicad_pro
trace drc
Run Design Rule Checks on a project.
trace drc [options] <project-path>
| Option | Description |
|---|
--rules <file> | Custom rules file (JSON or KiCad DRC format) |
--strict | Exit with error code on warnings (not just errors) |
--format <type> | Output: text, json, markdown |
--output <file> | Write results to file instead of stdout |
--category <list> | Check specific categories: clearance, width, via, courtyard, edge, impedance |
# Run full DRC with JSON output
trace drc --format json --output drc.json ./board.kicad_pro
# Check only impedance and clearance rules, fail on warnings
trace drc --strict --category impedance,clearance ./board.kicad_pro
trace erc
Run Electrical Rule Checks on a schematic.
trace erc [options] <project-path>
| Option | Description |
|---|
--strict | Exit with error code on warnings |
--format <type> | Output: text, json, markdown |
--output <file> | Write results to file |
trace erc --strict --format json ./board.kicad_pro
trace review
Run an AI design review on a project. Analyzes the schematic and PCB for potential issues, suggests improvements, and generates a structured report.
trace review [options] <project-path>
| Option | Description |
|---|
--scope <type> | Review scope: full, schematic, pcb, bom |
--focus <areas> | Focus areas (comma-separated): routing, thermal, impedance, dfm, components, power |
--format <type> | Output: text, json, markdown |
--output <file> | Write report to file |
--severity <level> | Minimum severity to report: info, warning, error, critical |
# Full design review
trace review --format markdown --output review.md ./board.kicad_pro
# Focus on thermal and impedance issues only
trace review --focus thermal,impedance --severity warning ./board.kicad_pro
# Review just the schematic
trace review --scope schematic ./board.kicad_pro
What the Review Checks
- Component selection — Availability, EOL status, pin-compatible alternatives
- Routing quality — Trace widths, clearances, length matching, via usage
- Thermal — Power dissipation, copper pour coverage, thermal via placement
- Impedance — Controlled-impedance trace geometry vs. stackup
- DFM — Manufacturability against fab house capabilities
- Power integrity — Decoupling, power plane continuity, voltage drops
- Signal integrity — Crosstalk risks, return path discontinuities
trace ask
Ask the AI a question about a design. Runs in read-only mode — no modifications are made.
trace ask "<question>" [options]
| Option | Description |
|---|
--project <path> | Project to analyze (required for design-specific questions) |
--format <type> | Output: text, json, markdown |
--output <file> | Write response to file |
# Ask about a specific design
trace ask "What is the purpose of R14 and R15?" --project ./board.kicad_pro
# Get impedance guidance
trace ask "What trace width do I need for 90 ohm differential on the inner layers?" --project ./board.kicad_pro
# General circuit question (no project needed)
trace ask "What decoupling capacitors do I need for an STM32F4?"
trace components
Check component availability, pricing, and alternatives.
trace components <subcommand> [options]
trace components check
Validate all components in a BOM against distributor stock.
trace components check --bom <file> [options]
| Option | Description |
|---|
--bom <file> | BOM file (CSV or project path) |
--distributors <list> | Distributors to check: jlcpcb, lcsc, digikey, mouser, ti, amazon |
--format <type> | Output: text, json, csv |
--suggest-alternatives | Include pin-compatible alternatives for out-of-stock parts |
# Check all components against JLCPCB and DigiKey
trace components check --bom ./board.kicad_pro --distributors jlcpcb,digikey --suggest-alternatives
trace components search
Search for components by description or part number.
trace components search "<query>" [options]
| Option | Description |
|---|
--type <type> | Filter by type: resistor, capacitor, ic, connector, etc. |
--package <pkg> | Filter by package: 0402, 0603, SOIC-8, QFP-48, etc. |
--in-stock | Only show in-stock parts |
--limit <n> | Max results (default: 10) |
trace components search "LDO 3.3V 500mA" --package SOT-223 --in-stock
trace bom
Generate, validate, and optimize a Bill of Materials.
trace bom [options] <project-path>
| Option | Description |
|---|
--format <type> | Output: csv, json, excel, html |
--output <file> | Write BOM to file |
--pricing | Include real-time pricing from distributors |
--optimize | Suggest cost-optimized alternatives |
--validate | Check all parts are available and not EOL |
# Generate BOM with pricing
trace bom --format csv --pricing --output bom.csv ./board.kicad_pro
# Validate and optimize BOM
trace bom --validate --optimize --format json ./board.kicad_pro
trace auth
Manage CLI authentication.
| Subcommand | Description |
|---|
login | Authenticate via browser |
logout | Remove stored credentials |
status | Show current auth status and plan info |
token | Display current API token |
trace auth login
trace auth status
Exit Codes
All commands use consistent exit codes for scripting:
| Code | Meaning |
|---|
0 | Success |
1 | General error |
2 | Authentication required or failed |
3 | Project not found or invalid |
10 | DRC/ERC errors found |
11 | DRC/ERC warnings found (with --strict) |
20 | Components unavailable |
