SoC Build

Use the registered soc-build MCP server. Do not import its FastMCP object directly and do not replace EDA tool calls with shell commands.

Runtime setup

Project .codex/config.toml registers the MCP servers for this direct repo install. If the launcher reports missing Python modules, run:

.agents/scripts/setup_mcp_env.sh

This installs the shared runtime under ${XDG_CACHE_HOME:-$HOME/.cache}/silicon-crew/venv, outside the repository package. Do not package .venv.

Canonical project layout

Every chip module and IP uses the same structure:

<module>/
├── docs/
├── de/rtl/          # RTL + filelist.f/filelist.mk
├── de/lint/         # lint configuration or reviewed collateral
├── de/cdc/          # CDC configuration or reviewed collateral
├── de/rdc/          # RDC configuration or reviewed collateral
├── de/dft/          # DFT SGDC/Tcl/waiver collateral
├── de/formal/       # formal configuration or reviewed collateral
├── de/run/          # transient lint/build output
├── de/syn/          # SDC, synthesis and STA output
├── dv/tb/           # testbench source
├── dv/verif/        # reusable verification source
├── dv/tests/        # regression test lists
├── dv/sim/          # simulation logs/images/waves
├── dv/cov/          # coverage databases/reports
└── Makefile

Pipeline artifacts remain restricted to docs/, de/rtl/, de/run/, de/syn/, dv/tb/, and dv/sim/; the additional directories are reserved for their specialized flow configuration and collateral.

Create structure with soc_init, soc_add_chip, or soc_add_ip. Do not create legacy root rtl/, sim/, syn/, or constraints/ directories.

Tools

Tool	Purpose
soc_init	initialize a SoC project
soc_add_chip	add a chip module
soc_add_ip	add a digital/third-party IP
soc_flist	generate a Verilog/SystemVerilog filelist
soc_lint	project-filelist lint with Verilator (default) / SpyGlass / optional VC Static; accepts rtl_top
soc_cdc	SpyGlass CDC (default) or optional VC Static; accepts rtl_top
soc_rdc	optional VC Static RDC check; accepts rtl_top
soc_dft	optional VC SpyGlass DFT / TestMAX (default dft_scan_ready); accepts rtl_top
soc_comp	compile; accepts top_module
soc_sim	compile then simulate; accepts simulator/test/seed/top
soc_regress	test/seed matrix regression
soc_coverage	single or regression coverage
soc_syn	project-filelist synthesis; accepts rtl_top and syn_tool (yosys or dc)
soc_formal	Formality equivalence from an immutable registered DC snapshot; UPF is optional
soc_verdi	open Verdi; scope=de loads RTL/source, scope=dv loads sim DB/waves

All names, simulators, tests, seeds, and job counts are validated. A nonzero process exit or timeout is an MCP tool error.

Successful soc_sim and soc_syn responses end with a machine-readable LOOP_EVIDENCE=<json> line containing run_id, source_fingerprint, and tool_family. The server hashes the resolved source manifest before and after the Make target and rejects the run if RTL/filelist material changed. Pass the emitted run ID and fingerprint to update_state.py when closing verif or syn; never synthesize these values from the current checkout after the run.

Stage use

• RTL agents call soc_lint; MCP allows Verilator (default), SpyGlass, or optional VC Static; no direct EDA fallback.
• CDC/RDC side-lane (soc-cdc-engineer) calls soc_cdc (SpyGlass default, vc_static extra) and/or soc_rdc (vc_static only).
• DFT side-lane (soc-dft-engineer) generates collateral via dft-gen, then calls soc_dft (vc_static only).
• Verification agents call soc_sim or soc_regress; no direct Make/simulator fallback.
• Synthesis agents call soc_syn; use syn_tool=dc for Design Compiler or syn_tool=yosys for structural checks. Yosys output is not STA evidence.
• Formal agents call soc_formal with the exact run_id and source_fingerprint emitted by soc_syn. Plain DC snapshots run ordinary RTL-to-netlist equivalence; snapshots containing both canonical and saved UPF run the UPF-aware mode.
• Commercial simulator/license work must remain in the registered MCP process.
• SpyGlass lint is run in no-GUI mode by default because local GUI/plugin availability may vary. If GUI is explicitly requested and plugin checkout fails, do not block lint triage on the GUI; use the generated text reports under de/run/.
• When lint reports any real rule violation at error or warning severity, first query the local SoC AI knowledge base (soc-ai-kb) using the rule/tag name and diagnostic text. If the knowledge base has no relevant guidance, reason from the tool report, RTL, and local coding rules.
• Lint fixes are review-gated: propose the root cause, supporting report lines, and a concrete patch plan to the user. Do not apply a final RTL fix, waiver, or severity downgrade until the user confirms. Temporary repro edits must be clearly marked and restored before any commit.

For Verilog code review, read .agents/rules/04_verilog_coding_style.md (project coding rule; companion short contract is .agents/rules/04_coding_style.md) and report mandatory (M), should (S), and recommend (R) findings with file/line evidence.