Getting Started With Copilot

Copilot is your AI-powered design assistant, helping you find components, analyze datasheets, and even modify your design in real time. This guide will get you started with Copilot, manage sessions, and understand key tools and UI elements.

Overview

Copilot is an AI-powered assistant that speeds-up tasks, provides real-time insights, and modifies your PCB design directly. It integrates into your workflow, helping you find components, analyze datasheets, perform calculations, and make design changes more efficiently.

Key Features:

• Context-Aware AI – Understands your project, components, and datasheets for more relevant responses.
• Action-Driven Tools – Can modify designs, insert parts, and update component properties.
• Integrated Calculations – Extracts equations from datasheets to size components accurately.
• Prompt Suggestions – Guides you through the design process with recommended next steps.

This guide covers how to access and use Copilot, manage sessions, and leverage its tools for more efficient PCB design.

Getting Started

The Copilot Chat Tab is your main interface for interacting with Copilot. To open it, click the Copilot icon in the Flux interface. When you open the Copilot Chat Tab, you'll see a set of pre-loaded prompts designed to help you explore Copilot's capabilities. If you prefer to start from scratch, click the "+" button to begin a freeform conversation.

When the chat opens, you'll see a set of pre-loaded prompts to help you get started. Select one to begin, or click the "+" button to start a freeform conversation. Once you enter a prompt, Copilot will generate responses in real time, streaming text as it processes your request.

Managing Sessions & Chat History

Copilot maintains context within an active session, allowing you to refine responses and build on previous interactions.

To start a new session, click the "+" button to reset Copilot's memory and begin a fresh conversation. If you want to continue a previous session, simply scroll through the chat history at the left of the "+" button, or reopen an older chat.

Using Copilot

Copilot provides several ways to refine its responses and guide how it interacts with your project. These menus allow you to choose AI models, upload reference files, and specify how Copilot should process your requests.

Tool Context Menu

The Tool Context Menu lets you guide Copilot's responses by specifying the type of information it should reference or generate. While Copilot automatically selects the best tool for your request, you can manually control it using the @ symbol in your query:

• @file – Access attached datasheets and project files. Learn more.
• @library – Search the Flux component library for part selection. Learn more.
• @calculator – Extract equations from datasheets for calculations. Learn more.
• @code – Generate Python scripts and charts. Learn more.
• @help – Search Flux documentation for guidance. Learn more.

Using the right tool ensures that Copilot provides more precise and relevant responses.

Referencing Specific Parts with @part_name

You can directly reference specific components in your design by using @ followed by the part's designator (e.g., @U1). This tells Copilot to pull all available information about that component, including datasheet details, pin configurations, and electrical characteristics.

Why Use @part_name?

• Ensures Copilot pulls data specifically from the selected part, especially its datasheet when available.
• Helps Copilot provide more precise answers about the component's specs, usage, and constraints.
• Makes troubleshooting and part comparisons more accurate.

Model Menu

The Model Menu allows you to choose the AI model best suited for your task. Copilot will default to the most appropriate model, but you can manually switch if needed:

• Advanced Reasoning – Slower, but more capable for complex problem-solving and analysis.
• General – A balance of speed and capability, best for most design tasks.
• Speedy – The fastest model, best for quick responses and simple queries.

To switch models, open the model selector in the Copilot Chat Tab and select the desired model.

File Upload Menu

The File Upload Menu allows you to attach additional reference materials, such as PDF datasheets, images, or diagrams, for Copilot to analyze.

To upload a file:

1. Click the File Upload button in the Copilot Chat Tab.
2. Select a PDF, image, or diagram from your computer.
3. Once uploaded, use @file in your query to reference the document.

To get the best out of Copilot's image processing, make sure you follow these best practices:

• Image Clarity: For optimal analysis, ensure the images uploaded are clear and legible.
• Focused Queries: To get the most relevant responses, frame your questions or requests in context with the uploaded image.

Copilot's Context Chips

When Copilot responds to a prompt, it displays a set of context chips that indicate what information it used to generate its answer. These chips help you understand Copilot's reasoning, verify its sources, and troubleshoot unexpected responses.

What Are Context Chips?

Context chips appear at the top of Copilot's response and represent the different data sources it referenced. They can include:

• General – Copilot used general AI knowledge and reasoning, without referencing specific project data.
• Chat History – Copilot incorporated previous messages from the current conversation. (This chip won't appear in a new chat.)
• Project – Copilot used information from your current schematic, such as net connections and component placements.
• C1, C2, C3, etc. – Copilot referenced specific components in your design (e.g., C1 for a capacitor or U2 for an IC).
• File – Copilot used an uploaded file, such as a datasheet, image, or document.

Why Context Chips Matter

Understanding these chips helps you determine what information Copilot used and troubleshoot any inconsistencies.

• If a component isn't listed in the chips – Copilot might be missing its datasheet or part data. Try using @part_name (e.g., @U1) to force it to reference that component.
• If the "Chat History" chip is missing – You're in a new chat, so Copilot isn't considering past messages.

First Things to Try

To get started with Copilot, try these common use cases and see how it can assist in your design workflow:

1. Try a Pre-Loaded Prompt

When you open the Copilot Chat Tab, you'll see a set of pre-loaded prompts designed to help you explore Copilot's capabilities.

👉 Click on any prompt to have Copilot guide you through a design.

If you prefer to start from scratch, click the "+" button to begin a freeform conversation.

2. Look Up a Component's Datasheet

Ensure Copilot references the correct datasheet by mentioning a specific part in your design:

@U1 What is the input voltage range for this component?  

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@U3 How do I configure an interrupt on this microcontroller?

👉 Tip: If the component has a Datasheet URL in Flux, Copilot will automatically read it.

3. Find a Suitable Component from the Library

Ask Copilot to search the Flux component library for parts that meet your requirements:

@library Find a low-power alternative to LM358.

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@library Suggest a 10kΩ resistor with 1% tolerance.

👉 Tip: You can refine your request by specifying parameters like footprint, power rating, or manufacturer.

4. Perform a Quick Calculation

Use Copilot to size components or check circuit parameters with on-the-fly calculations:

@calculator What resistor do I need for a 20mA LED on 3.3V?

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@calculator Calculate the cutoff frequency for an RC filter with R=10kΩ and C=100nF.

👉 Tip: Copilot extracts equations from datasheets for more precise calculations.

5. Upload a Datasheet and Extract Information

Upload a PDF datasheet and ask Copilot to pull relevant details:

@file Extract the pin configuration from this datasheet.

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@file What is the maximum operating temperature for this component?

👉 Tip: This is especially useful when working with custom components or lesser-known parts.

6. Get Help with Flux Features

If you're unsure how to perform a task in Flux, Copilot can guide you:

@help How do I add a via in my PCB layout?

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@help What's the best way to organize my schematic in Flux?

👉 Tip: Copilot can reference Flux's documentation to provide accurate answers.

What's Next

Now that you understand how to use Copilot in Flux, you might want to explore:

• Adapt Copilot to Your Goals - Learn how to customize Copilot for your specific design needs
• Copilot Use Cases - Discover different ways to leverage Copilot in your workflow
• Copilot Image Input - Learn how to use images with Copilot for better results
• AI for Hardware Design - Understand how AI can enhance your hardware design process

Ready to try Copilot for yourself? Fork this example project to see what Copilot can do!