atopile

atopile is a language, compiler, and toolchain for electronics. Engineers write declarative .ato files that describe modules, interfaces, units, tolerances, and assertions, and the compiler solves constraints, picks parts, runs checks, and updates the KiCad layout.

The workflow is code-first rather than canvas-first. Designs are built from reusable modules instead of starting from scratch, intent is captured with equations in the design itself, and discrete components can be picked parametrically. Layout itself still happens in KiCad, and the toolchain produces build outputs such as a BOM and fabrication and assembly data.

Getting started runs through a VS Code or Cursor editor extension, which installs and manages the ato tool, or through the CLI (ato build). KiCad is optional at the start: without it, builds still run and update the .kicad_pcb file, but the PCB cannot be opened for layout. Supported operating systems are macOS, Linux, and Windows (WSL recommended).