PCB-First vs Enclosure-First Design

Briefly describe what it's like to design a complete product in Flux. Help me understand what the PCB-first and enclosure-first design workflows are like to work with.

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Designing a complete product in Flux is an iterative process: I help define requirements, develop the electronics and mechanical design together, check how they fit, and prepare for prototyping and manufacturing.

PCB-first: Start with circuit architecture, components, and board layout, then shape the enclosure around the board, connectors, and mounting points. This works well when electronics drive the product; the tradeoff is less freedom over its final shape.
Enclosure-first: Start with the product’s size, appearance, controls, and ports, then design the PCB to fit that space. This works well when ergonomics or a fixed installation matters; the tradeoff is tighter constraints on component placement, routing, and cooling.

Both workflows involve iteration—not finishing one half in isolation. I haven’t changed your project this session; selecting a workflow and developing the design remain ahead. Execution stopped because your ACUs ran out.

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