With the latest release of Copilot it isn’t just smarter—it’s hands-on, placing components and applying bulk changes to your project instantly. But to get the most out of it, knowing how to craft the right prompt is key.

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Copilot won’t generate an entire schematic from scratch or handle a full workflow in one go—yet. Instead, it works best when guiding you step by step. The more details you add—like project goals, placed components, or design constraints—the more context Copilot has to carry across conversations, making its recommendations more relevant and accurate.

We've updated our list of top prompts based on what users find most effective, helping you streamline everything from brainstorming and component research to BOM management and design validation. Here’s how to get the best results from Copilot—and a collection of powerful prompts to speed up your workflow.

Popular Copilot Prompts

Spread the word and share your favorite prompts on our Slack Community. Below, we’ve grouped some favorite prompts by category. Each section starts with extra tips to help you get the most out of that set of commands.

Get help with initial brainstorming

Starting a new hardware project can be overwhelming, but the completely overhauled Copilot simplifies the process by guiding you through component selection, spec verification. Just describe your goals and Copilot engages in a focused conversation to refine your requirements like a seasoned hardware engineer.

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Get help defining your project requirements, block diagram, and research components

Ask me a structured set of questions (about 5 one at a time) to help brainstorm and outline the most important parts of a project including the critical technical requirements, including power, components, performance, constraints, Use case etc  

Always provide multiple options where applicable, considering trade-offs in cost, efficiency, size, and performance. By the end of this process, I want:  

1. A block diagram illustrating the system architecture.  

2. A complete list of all components, including passives and active components.

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Go from a block diagram to specific components in a BOM

Here's a block diagram of this design. Please recommend at least three ICs from the @library for each block, highlighting their electrical characteristics and the reasons for your recommendations.

Streamline Parts Research

Instead of wading through datasheets and Google searches, use Copilot to select appropriate parts for implementation, recommending main and alternative components that meet design requirements. Tip: You can use tool like @library to direct Copilot to search the part library, or @file to direct Copilot to use datasheet details in it’s responses.

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Get a list of part recommendations based on your requirements

@library List out 5 switching regulators that I can use for my project with a maximum output current of 2A. Include key parameters such as input voltage range, output voltage range, switching frequency, efficiency, and package type.

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Extract reference design information from a part’s datasheet

@file extract the following details from the datasheet of @U2  

1. Key features  

2. Functional Pin Description  

   - List each pin with its name, function, and relevant electrical characteristics.  

3. From the Typical Application Circuit:  

   - List all components present along with their values in a table format.  

   - Describe explicitly how each pin is connected.  

4. Any circuit-Specific Design Notes

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Alternative parts recommendations

Identify alternative components for @U4 with similar functionality, pin configurations, and electrical characteristics. Include key differences and trade-offs.

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Obtain part’s maximum ratings

@file extract the absolute maximum ratings of @U1 including voltage, current, and thermal limits. Present the data in a clear table format.

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Component research

@file Explain @U1 in detail, including its purpose, key functions, and common applications. Describe how it operates within a circuit and any notable characteristics. Also, explain the family or series this component belongs to, highlighting its variations, key differences, and typical use cases compared to other models in the series.

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Obtain component operating conditions

@file Extract the recommended operating conditions for @IC2. Retrieve key parameters such as supply voltage range, operating temperature range, input/output voltage levels, and other relevant conditions specified for optimal performance.

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Compare different parts

Compare LMR33630ADDAR and MP2451DJ-LF-Z in terms of efficiency, output ripple, load regulation, and thermal performance. Highlight key differences in topology, switching frequency, and suitability for a [specific application, e.g., battery-powered wearable]. Provide a recommendation based on [input voltage range, output voltage, current requirements.

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Consolidate the BoM

Analyze all the parts in the project context and generate a consolidated parts table that optimizes component selection. Specifically, apply the following consolidation rule:

- Identify passive components (resistors, capacitors, inductors) with the same values but different MPNs (Manufacturer Part Numbers).

- Propose a single standardized MPN for each unique value, prioritizing parts with better availability, and popular supplier.

Present the table clearly. The table must strictly list and analyze all passive components in the project context. It must not use vague terms such as “etc.” or truncate the list in any way. The table should have the following headers (Original Part Category (e.g., Resistor, Capacitor, Inductor), Original Values/Specs (e.g., 10kΩ, 1μF, 100mH), Original MPNs (List all variants found in the project), Proposed Consolidated MPN (Recommended single part), Reason for Consolidation (e.g., same specs, better tolerance, reduced part diversity)

Edit Projects with Copilot

Copilot isn’t just here to answer questions—it can take direct action in your project, helping you place components, modify properties, and refine your design faster than ever. Instead of manually searching for parts or tweaking values one by one, you can ask Copilot to handle specific tasks, like adding a resistor with a defined value or updating a component’s footprint.

When Copilot detects an action it can execute, you’ll see an action button appear—click it to apply the change instantly. If you don’t see a button, try rephrasing your request or breaking it into smaller steps. While Copilot can’t yet generate an entire schematic at once, it’s great at guiding you through the process, handling tedious tasks, and keeping your workflow smooth.

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Add parts to the project

I want the 555 timer to operate at a frequency of 1.5 kHz.

@library add the following components to the project:

- NE555 Timer IC

- 2-Pin Terminal Block Connector (for power input)

- Resistors:

   - R1 = 10kΩ

   - R2 = 100Ω

   - R3 (Current-limiting resistor for output)

- Capacitors:

   - C1 = 100nF (0.1µF)

   - C2 = 0.1µF (Decoupling capacitor)

- Diode: 1N4148

- LED

- Ground connection

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Add a part to the project

@library add the following components to this project; NE555 Timer IC, 2-Pin Terminal Block Connector (for power input) and two 0603 1k ohm resistors

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Replace parts

Replace @U1 with an LM2596

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Quick batch edits to properties

Replace all 100nF capacitors with 10nF

Performing Quick Calculations

When working on a design, precise calculations are key—but instead of crunching numbers manually, Copilot can help streamline the process. Whether you need to size a resistor, calculate power consumption, or verify signal integrity, you can use Copilot to gather equations and relevant data before running calculations.

Start by pulling in the necessary formulas and values using @file or @library, ensuring you have all the details upfront. Once you’ve gathered the required inputs, use the @calculator tool to perform the calculations accurately. Taking this structured approach will help you get the most reliable results from Copilot.

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Size passives - Sizing passives happens in two steps. First obtain the equations specified in the datasheet. Then perform the calculation

@file obtain the equation for sizing the inductor for @U2, along with the required parameter values needed for the calculation.

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@calculator calculate the inductor size for U2 needed for my project (Vin = 5V, Vout = 3.3V, Iout = 1A)

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Using IPC standards calculate ... (e.g., trace width)

@calculator calculate the required PCB trace width for the 12V power rail according to the IPC-2221 standard. The trace should handle a current of 3A with a maximum allowable temperature rise of 10°C. Assume a copper thickness of 1oz and an ambient temperature of 25°C.

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Calculate decoupling capacitance

@calculator calculate the required decoupling capacitance for @C2 and @C3 considering ±50mv noise/ripple range.

✨ Pro Tip: Use @tools to give Copilot more direction

Flux Copilot has a range of tools to help you through your design process. For the best results, use one tool at a time. This helps Copilot focus on a single task, making its responses more accurate and actionable.

  • Use @library to direct Copilot to search Flux’s library of components. This is useful when you want to insert components that are in the parts library.
  • Use @file when you want to direct Copilot to access datasheets, PDFs, or other documents that are attached to your project or components when conducting detailed analysis. You can also attach files to the prompt itself.
  • Use @calculator when you want Copilot to calculate a value with deterministic instead of relying solely on AI reasoning.
  • Use @code to create Python code snippets to create graphs, simulate, or validate design ideas.
  • Use @help to get guidance on using Flux features and best practices.

Flux Copilot is here to make hardware design more straightforward and efficient. By following these prompts and tips, you can streamline your workflow, reduce errors, and tackle each step of your project with confidence. Feel free to share your results and favorite prompts in our Slack Community.

Happy designing!

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Ryan Fitzgerald

Ryan is an electronics and electrical systems engineer with a focus on bridging the gap between deep learning intelligent algorithms and innovative hardware design. Find him on Flux @ryanf

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Flux is a better way to build PCBs
Go 10x faster from idea to PCB by reducing busy work, never starting from scratch, and keeping your team in sync. All from the browser.
Screenshot of the Flux app showing a PCB in 3D mode with collaborative cursors, a comment thread pinned on the canvas, and live pricing and availability for a part on the board.
Flux is a better way to build PCBs
Go 10x faster from idea to PCB by reducing busy work, never starting from scratch, and keeping your team in sync. All from the browser.
Screenshot of the Flux app showing a PCB in 3D mode with collaborative cursors, a comment thread pinned on the canvas, and live pricing and availability for a part on the board.
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