PCBA Fabrication Release

Release artifacts; do not redesign the circuit or layout inside this stage. Read references/release-checklist.md and references/eda-release-adapters.md.

Preflight

1. Read repository rules, sourcing lock, circuit/layout gate results, approved waivers, native board/project files, fabrication constraints, quantities, and target manufacturer capabilities.
2. Freeze one named source revision and record board/project hashes. Stop if schematic, PCB, BOM, CPL source, sourcing lock, or constraints disagree.
3. Require circuit and layout gates to be PASS. Zero opens alone is not enough: raw connectivity, real DRC, power connectivity, planes, critical nets, mechanical and visual review must all be resolved.

Generate

Use the authoritative EDA tool to export all applicable layers, solder mask, paste, silkscreen, outline/cutouts, mechanical information, plated/non-plated drill, drill map/report, BOM, CPL, assembly drawings, stackup/impedance notes, and top/bottom renders. Preserve units, origin, side convention, rotation convention, DNP policy, polarity, and pin-1 evidence.

Inspect the generated files in an independent Gerber/assembly viewer. Compare outline and dimensions, layer count, copper/mask, drills, text, apertures, keepouts, edge treatments, panel/depanel needs, and assembly side. Export a via/drill histogram and identify every feature below the current standard-cost process threshold.

Manifest

Build .pcba-workflow/release-manifest.json with scripts/build_release_manifest.py. Supply an explicit revision for every artifact; the script rejects mixed revisions. Record:

• source and derived artifact SHA-256, size, role, and revision;
• board dimensions, layers, thickness, finish, stackup, controlled options, quantities, assembly side, and DNP policy;
• ERC, raw connectivity, classified DRC, power, layout, DFM, and visual results;
• approved waivers and the sourcing-lock hash/time;
• substitution, placement, final-price, and payment approval state.

Run scripts/validate_release_manifest.py after moving or packaging the release. A missing file, hash drift, mixed revision, stale sourcing lock, or failed required check blocks release.

In a recorded workflow, append checkpoints for the frozen source revision, independent Gerber/drill inspection, BOM/CPL reconciliation, renders, and the validated release manifest. Promotion frames may show sanitized viewers, but the machine-readable release and hashes remain the approval evidence.

Handoff

Deliver an immutable release directory containing the manifest, manufacturing files, assembly files, constraints, and review evidence. State the exact upload Gerber/archive, BOM, and CPL. Hand live supplier interpretation to $operate-jlcpcb-order; it must not silently repair this release.