EDA DRC Skill

Design validation, rule checking, and pre-manufacturing review.

Auto-Activation Triggers

This skill activates when:

• User asks to “check design”, “validate”, “run DRC”
• User asks about design errors or warnings
• User mentions manufacturing readiness
• Project is approaching completion
• User asks “is this ready for fabrication?”

Context Requirements

Requires:

• hardware/*.kicad_sch – Schematic files
• hardware/*.kicad_pcb – PCB layout
• docs/design-constraints.json – Project constraints
• docs/component-selections.md – Selected components

Produces:

• docs/validation-report.md – Comprehensive validation report

Validation Scopes

/eda-check schematic

• Run ERC (Electrical Rules Check)
• Verify power connections
• Check decoupling capacitors
• Validate against datasheet requirements
• Check component values

/eda-check pcb

• Run DRC (Design Rules Check)
• Verify placement guidelines
• Check routing rules
• Validate copper pours
• Review silkscreen

/eda-check components

• Verify stock availability on LCSC
• Check current pricing
• Identify lifecycle issues
• Suggest alternatives if needed

/eda-check manufacturing

• Generate and review Gerbers
• Verify BOM completeness
• Check position file accuracy
• Validate against manufacturer specs

/eda-check full

• Run all above checks
• Comprehensive pre-manufacturing validation

Workflow

1. Load Context

@docs/design-constraints.json
@docs/component-selections.md
@docs/schematic-status.md
@docs/pcb-status.md

2. Run Automated Checks

• Execute DRC/ERC via KiCad MCP
• Capture all violations and warnings

3. Manual Review Checklist

Use reference documents to verify:

• Common issues are addressed
• Manufacturer constraints are met
• Design guidelines followed

4. Component Verification

For each selected component:

• Check LCSC stock status
• Verify pricing
• Check for lifecycle warnings

5. Generate Report

Create comprehensive validation report documenting:

• Pass/fail status for each check
• List of issues found
• Recommended actions
• Sign-off status

Output Format

validation-report.md

# Validation Report

Project: [name]
Generated: [timestamp]
Scope: [schematic|pcb|components|manufacturing|full]

## Summary

| Check | Status | Issues |
|-------|--------|--------|
| ERC | PASS/FAIL | X errors, Y warnings |
| DRC | PASS/FAIL | X errors, Y warnings |
| Components | PASS/FAIL | X issues |
| Manufacturing | PASS/FAIL | X issues |
| **Overall** | **PASS/FAIL** | |

## Critical Issues
Items that MUST be fixed before manufacturing:
1. [Issue description] - [Location] - [Fix]
2. ...

## Warnings
Items that SHOULD be reviewed:
1. [Warning description] - [Location] - [Recommendation]
2. ...

## Notes
Items for information only:
1. [Note]
2. ...

---

## Detailed Results

### Schematic (ERC)

**Status:** PASS/FAIL

**Errors:**
- [ ] [Error type]: [Details]

**Warnings:**
- [ ] [Warning type]: [Details]

**Checks Passed:**
- [x] All power pins connected
- [x] All ICs have decoupling
- [x] No unconnected pins (except intentional NC)
- [x] Net names consistent

### PCB (DRC)

**Status:** PASS/FAIL

**Errors:**
- [ ] [Error type]: [Details]

**Warnings:**
- [ ] [Warning type]: [Details]

**Checks Passed:**
- [x] Trace width meets minimum
- [x] Clearances meet minimum
- [x] Via drill meets minimum
- [x] Silkscreen not on pads

### Components

| Component | LCSC | Stock | Price | Status |
|-----------|------|-------|-------|--------|
| [name] | C#### | #### | $X.XX | OK/LOW/OOS |

**Issues:**
- [Component]: [Issue]

### Manufacturing

**Target:** [JLCPCB/PCBWay/etc.]

**Checks:**
- [ ] Board size within limits
- [ ] Layer count supported
- [ ] Minimum features met
- [ ] BOM complete
- [ ] Position file accurate

---

## Action Items

### Before Manufacturing
1. [ ] [Action required]
2. [ ] [Action required]

### Recommendations
1. [ ] [Optional improvement]

---

## Sign-off

- [ ] Schematic review complete
- [ ] PCB review complete
- [ ] Components verified
- [ ] Ready for manufacturing

Reviewed by: [name/date]

Guidelines

• Run DRC frequently during layout, not just at the end
• Address all errors before manufacturing
• Document intentional rule violations
• Verify component availability before finalizing design
• Keep validation report updated as issues are fixed

Reference Documents

• reference/COMMON-ISSUES.md – Frequent problems and solutions
• reference/MANUFACTURER-SPECS.md – Manufacturer capabilities
• reference/VALIDATION-CHECKLIST.md – Pre-manufacturing checklist

Next Steps

After validation passes:

1. Run /eda-export [format] to generate manufacturing files
2. Update design-constraints.json stage to “complete”