Architon is a local CLI that scans KiCad projects for unsafe rails, overloaded power paths, and interface-level voltage mistakes. No manual netlist export.
Runs locally on your KiCad project. No design data leaves your machine.
Runs locally. No account required.
git clone https://github.com/badimirzai/architon-cli
cd architon-cli
make install
cd path/to/kicad-project
rv scan .Example hardware projects used for testing and demonstration.
Architon catches unsafe rails, overloaded power paths, and interface mismatches that ERC and DRC can miss.
Traces voltages from sources through regulators across your full netlist. Flags rails that exceed component input limits.
Flags interface pins and modules connected across incompatible logic ranges or electrical limits.
Aggregates current draw estimates per rail. Catches designs where load or stall current exceeds regulator, source, or driver limits.
Exit codes 0-3. Drop rv scan . into GitHub Actions and block merges when a rail exceeds a part rating or a power path is overloaded.
Run rv scan . in a KiCad project folder. Architon discovers project data without a manual netlist export.
Flags shared-bus failures such as address conflicts and incompatible electrical limits between connected devices.
PCB DRC catches layout and manufacturing rule violations. ERC catches basic schematic electrical issues. Architon checks whether connected parts and boards agree on rail voltage, current budget, and interface limits before bring-up.
Architon complements KiCad, Altium, ERC, DRC, and SPICE by checking failure modes across components, boards, and power rails.
ERC and DRC remain necessary. Architon adds deterministic checks for rails, power budgets, and interfaces before fabrication.
| Check | EDA ERC/DRC | Architon |
|---|---|---|
| Unconnected pins | ✓ | — |
| Copper clearance / layout rules | ✓ | — |
| Rail exceeds component maximum rating | ✗ | ✓ |
| Power budget limits | ✗ | ✓ |
| Interface and bus conflicts | ✗ | ✓ |
| CI failure before fabrication | Not native | ✓ |
Example: an MPU-6050 IMU and DS3231 RTC sharing address 0x68 can pass normal layout checks but fail during bring-up.
Runs locally on your hardware project directory. No design data leaves your machine.
Run make install once. Then run rv scan . inside a KiCad project folder. Architon discovers project data without a manual netlist export.
On first run, Architon auto-discovers your project data and creates a .architon/meta.yaml skeleton for current limits, rail ratings, and interface data that cannot be inferred from your BOM.
Architon propagates voltages through regulators, checks each net against component max ratings, and applies rule modules for motors, power, and logic interfaces. Same input → same output, every time.
Exit code 2 stops the build. Violations include net name, component reference, measured voltage, rated maximum, and margin. The team sees the failure before anyone orders boards.