# Design Circuits with Natural Language: Copilot Upgrade The upgraded Flux Copilot now places parts, generates schematics, and refines circuits with smarter automation. Try it today! Written by [Lance Cassidy](https://www.flux.ai/lwcassid) Published Feb 2025 - 6 min read [![](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/copilot-takes-action/main.webp)](#) ## Imagine an AI teammate that doesn’t just chat about your PCB ideas, but actively transforms them into schematics—**placing parts**, **connecting circuits**, and **modifying components** at your command, all through natural language. That’s exactly what the newly overhauled Flux Copilot does. We’re rolling it out as a **Community Beta**, with access expanding soon! [Log in to Flux](https://www.flux.ai/login) to see if you already have the new Copilot. Ever since we launched Copilot, our goal has been to create a truly collaborative design partner—one that goes beyond offering advice to actually executing on your behalf. Today, we’re thrilled to unveil the next major leap in that journey! Copilot is now powered by more advanced reasoning models and has the full context of your project—datasheets and your custom design rules—enabling far faster, and more accurate recommendations than any standalone AI chatbot could offer. Best of all, you remain in control, free to accept or refine any of its actions as you progress. This isn’t just an upgrade—**it’s a whole new way to design hardware with AI**. Let’s dive in! ### Get Started Easier & Generate a BOM Starting a new hardware project can feel overwhelming. Even if you know exactly what you want to build, transforming your idea into a functional schematic requires choosing components, verifying specs, and ensuring each piece fits together seamlessly. The completely overhauled Copilot takes the guesswork out of this process by engaging you in a focused conversation about your project. Instead of juggling datasheets and sourcing websites, you simply outline your goals—like “I want to build a battery-powered sensor module with an ESP32”—and Copilot follows up with questions to refine your requirements as a seasoned hardware engineer would. > Copilot > > "Sounds great! Which sensors would you like to use—temperature, humidity, or something else?" Once your specs are clear, it compiles a Bill of Materials (BoM) in seconds, giving you a curated list of compatible, optimized parts. You can review and adjust any element of the BoM before moving forward, confident that you’re building on a rock-solid foundation—without wasting hours on manual research. [![](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/copilot-takes-action/copilot-bom-generation.webp)](#) ### Add Components Directly to the Schematic After finalizing your BoM, Copilot can take the next step by placing each component into your schematic—whether it’s a microcontroller, sensor, or power module. It searches the library and drops parts onto your canvas in a way that avoids overlap, so you’re not starting from scratch. [![](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/copilot-takes-action/copilot-add-components.webp)](#) #### Decoupling Capacitors in Seconds With your key components in place, the next step is fine-tuning the design—often starting with decoupling capacitors. Traditionally, you’d consult datasheets for recommended values and place each capacitor manually. Copilot streamlines all of that into a single prompt: > You > > "List all the decoupling capacitors that are needed for this design." > Copilot > > "Below is a recommended list of decoupling capacitors for your sensor module design. Would you like me to add them to your schematic?" Copilot identifies which parts need decoupling, calculates the optimal values, and places the capacitors next to their relevant pins. This alone can save you hours of research and tedious work, letting you maintain focus on the bigger picture. ### Automatically wire components Once your parts are positioned, the next challenge is ensuring everything is correctly wired—pin assignments, best practices, net labeling, and so forth. With Copilot, wiring becomes as straightforward as telling it which components to connect: > You > > "Can you connect @U1 to @U3?" Normally, this would mean double-checking pinouts, referencing datasheets, and verifying each signal. Copilot handles those checks behind the scenes, making the required connections in seconds. You can still review and adjust as needed, but the bulk of the manual labor is eliminated. [![](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/copilot-takes-action/copilot-wire-components.webp)](#) ### Smart Component Replacement Even if your schematic is fully functional, there’s often room for optimization—maybe you need a sensor with higher resolution or a regulator that handles more current. Instead of searching for alternatives on your own, let Copilot do the legwork: > You > > "Find a better alternative for U1 in the @library that has a higher resolution." Copilot scans for a suitable match, checks it against your existing circuit constraints, and offers a drop-in replacement. Once confirmed, it updates your schematic accordingly—no library lookups needed. [![](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/copilot-takes-action/copilot-component-replacement.webp)](#) ### More Ways to Guide Copilot While Copilot automatically picks the best tools and models for most tasks, sometimes you need a little extra control. Whether you’re pulling equations from a datasheet, sourcing components from the Flux library, or performing quick calculations, prepending an "@" symbol tells Copilot exactly which tool or model to use—so you can fine-tune your workflow. #### Tool-Specific Commands - **@file** ties Copilot directly to any files attached to your project—like datasheets or design briefs—ensuring it references the most relevant information. - **@library** gives Copilot a direct line to the entire Flux component library, making it easy to find, compare, and insert compatible parts. - **@calculator** lets Copilot perform real-time math using datasheet equations, so you can size components accurately without manual computations. [![](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/copilot-takes-action/integrated-action-driven-tools.webp)](#) #### Model Selection Made Simple You can also choose from multiple AI models, each suited to a specific task: - **Advanced Reasoning** – More capable but slightly slower, ideal for deeper technical analysis. - **General** – A balanced option, both accurate and responsive for everyday tasks. - **Speedy** – Faster responses for quick checks, though less detailed. This flexibility ensures you’re always getting the right balance of speed and detail. ### ✨ Pro Tips for Best Results - ‍**Break Tasks Into Steps.** Copilot works best when given one task at a time. Instead of asking it to build an entire schematic, begin by telling Copilot what you want to build, then give it specific prompts like “@copilot, suggest a temperature sensor suitable for outdoor environments.” After selecting a component, proceed with, “@copilot, add the recommended temperature sensor to the schematic.” Finally, instruct, “@copilot, connect the sensor's output to the analog input of @U1.”​**‍** - **Provide Context.** The more details you add to your project—like goals, requirements, attached datasheets, or components on the canvas—the better Copilot performs. These details act as Copilot’s “long-term memory” across conversations.**‍** - **Use Specific Tools.** Utilize tags like “@library” to reference parts libraries or “@file” to attach datasheets. Specifying design parameters further refines Copilot's recommendations.​**‍** - **Watch for Action Buttons.** When Copilot identifies executable tasks, an action button will appear in the chat interface. Clicking this allows Copilot to perform the task directly on your design. If the button doesn't appear, consider rephrasing your request or breaking it down into smaller steps. ### AI as Your Design Partner This release marks a pivotal step toward the future of AI-assisted engineering. Flux Copilot isn’t just here to answer questions—it’s evolving into a genuine design partner, one that helps you move faster, reduces friction, and keeps you focused on real engineering challenges. But we’re only scratching the surface of what’s possible. Our larger vision is to automate even more of the tedious steps in hardware design—like routing and board layout. If you haven’t already, check out our [AI Auto-Layout](https://www.flux.ai/p/blog/introducing-ai-auto-layout) feature, which aims to take care of basic board routing so you can iterate faster and get to market sooner. ### Join the Beta & Share Your Feedback Right now, Copilot is in a community beta. While it’s more capable than ever, it’s not perfect—and that’s where you come in. Your feedback will shape its evolution. Tell us what works, what doesn’t, and what actions you’d like Copilot to tackle next. We’re rolling out new features in the coming weeks. If you don’t see them yet, keep an eye on Flux—or message us at help@flux.ai to get in early. Ready to experience AI that truly takes action? [Open Flux to see if you have access](https://www.flux.ai/login) ## About the author [Lance Cassidy](https://www.flux.ai/lwcassid) Co-Founder at Flux Lance is Co-Founder & CDO of Flux, a hardware design platform that's revolutionizing how teams create and iterate on circuits. Find him on Flux [@lwcassid](https://www.flux.ai/lwcassid/) Let’s start building Build your big idea together with Flux. All you need to do is describe what you want to make, or what problem you want to solve. Flux will work with you to make it a reality. ![Close-up photo of a PCB made with Flux, with an ESP32 module, buttons, and a microSD slot.](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/miscellaneous/sidebar-cta-pcb.webp) [Try it Free](https://www.flux.ai/signup) ## More in AI & Prompt Engineering for Hardware [ ![What Makes a Perfect PCB Design Prompt](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/how-to-write-a-perfect-pcb-design-prompt/main.webp) ### What Makes a Perfect PCB Design Prompt 8 Min Read](https://www.flux.ai/p/blog/what-makes-a-perfect-pcb-design-prompt)[ ![Flux, an AI hardware engineer pointing out the dos and don'ts when prompting.](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/prompting-guide/main.webp) ### Prompting Guide: Working with Flux from Idea to Schematic 9 Min Read](https://www.flux.ai/p/blog/prompting-guide-working-with-flux-from-idea-to-schematic)[ ![A space-themed image with a central cartoon astronaut helmet against a backdrop of stars and nebulae in shades of purple. 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A ninth bubble says 'Share Review Template,' with a share icon.](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/ai-design-reviews/main.webp) ### AI Design Reviews 6 Min Read](https://www.flux.ai/p/blog/ai-design-reviews)[ ![5 Pro Tips for Better Routing with AI Auto-Layout](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/5-tips-for-ai-auto-layout/main.webp) ### 5 Pro Tips for Better Routing with AI Auto-Layout 5 Min Read](https://www.flux.ai/p/blog/5-pro-tips-for-better-routing-with-ai-auto-layout)[ ![Top 20+ Flux Copilot Prompts for Hardware Design](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/top-copilot-prompts-2/main.webp) ### Top 20+ Flux Copilot Prompts for Hardware Design 9 Min Read](https://www.flux.ai/p/blog/top-20-flux-copilot-prompts-for-hardware-design)[ ![More than 20 amazing Flux Copilot prompts on a starry background](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/top-copilot-prompts/main.webp) ### 20+ Amazing Flux Copilot Prompts for Hardware Design 5 Min Read](https://www.flux.ai/p/blog/amazing-flux-copilot-prompts)[ ![Top 20+ Flux Copilot Prompts (Refreshed)](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/top-copilot-prompts-3/main.webp) ### Top 20+ Flux Copilot Prompts (Refreshed) 7 Min Read](https://www.flux.ai/p/blog/top-20-flux-copilot-prompts-refreshed)[ ![a space-themed background with stars and a floating astronaut helmet to the left. Large, bold text reads '6 Prompting Tips to Get the Most Out of Copilot', indicating a focus on maximizing the use of a digital assistant or tool.](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/copilot-6-prompting-tips/main.webp) ### 6 Prompting Tips to Get the Most Out of Copilot 6 Min Read](https://www.flux.ai/p/blog/6-prompting-tips-to-get-the-most-out-of-copilot)[ ![Graphic showing a red printed circuit board design with a list of common asked questions in Flux, such as overlapping copper and missing footprints. Based on the most common questions we hear from our users, it walks through practical solutions to unblock your designs and give you more confidence as you build.](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/top-10-troubleshooting-tips-n-tricks/main.webp) ### Top 9 Most Asked Questions in Flux 6 Min Read](https://www.flux.ai/p/blog/top-9-most-asked-questions-in-flux)[ ![A screen that looks like the part of a game where you choose your character. Except the characters are different helmets, representing how Copilot can change for each application. The categories are Aerospace, Edge Computing, UAV, Telecom, Robotics, Audio, Marine and Defense](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/copilot-templates/main.webp) ### Flux Copilot Can Adapt To Your Objectives 4 Min Read](https://www.flux.ai/p/blog/flux-copilot-ai-hardware-assistant-adapts-to-your-requirements)[ ![Flux Copilot can learn how you work—your design principles, part selection preferences, schematic, and testing workflows—and remember them automatically](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/copilot-knowledge/main.webp) ### Teach Copilot How You Work with Knowledge 4 Min Read](https://www.flux.ai/p/blog/teach-copilot-how-you-work-with-knowledge)[ ![The First AI Hardware Engineer](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/first-ai-hardware-engineering-intern/main.webp) ### The First AI Hardware Engineer 5 Min Read](https://www.flux.ai/p/blog/the-first-ai-hardware-engineer)[ ![A schematic diagram of a project on Flux showing an electrical engineer accessing the Copilot shortcut](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/ai_shortcut/main.webp) ### AI Shortcuts for PCB Design 2 Min Read](https://www.flux.ai/p/blog/ai-shortcuts-for-pcb-design)[ ![Flux Copilot’s faster workflows with the new AI-first UI](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/new-ai-first-ui/main.webp) ### Less Clicking, More Building: The New AI-First UI 4 Min Read](https://www.flux.ai/p/blog/less-clicking-more-building-the-new-ai-first-ui)[ ![Screenshot of a PCB design tool showing an AI-powered review panel. The review panel highlights capacitor C56 with a red error indicating a voltage rating of 16V, below the required safe margin. A chat response suggests replacement capacitors with part numbers, demonstrating the AI's capability to recommend fixes for flagged issues.](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/ai-drc-panel/main.webp) ### Introducing the AI Design Review Tab 4 Min Read](https://www.flux.ai/p/blog/introducing-the-ai-design-review-tab)[ ![Flux Copilot - The First AI Powered Hardware Design Assistant can now route your PCB. Introducing AI Auto-Layout. With just one click, Copilot tackles the repetitive task of routing your board, delivering clean, human-like results that are easy to work with and iterate on.](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/ai-auto-layout-v1/main.webp) ### Introducing AI Auto-Layout 4 Min Read](https://www.flux.ai/p/blog/introducing-ai-auto-layout)[ ![Flux Copilot astronaut points at a PCB with the text “Smarter AI Auto‑Layout” overlaid, highlighting the intelligence of Flux’s AI Auto‑Layout feature.](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/ai-auto-layout-summer-update/main.webp) ### AI Auto-Layout Just Got Smarter 3 Min Read](https://www.flux.ai/p/blog/ai-auto-layout-just-got-smarter)[ ![An astronaut placing electronics components and tracing complex signals on a complex glowing PCB board.](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/ai-auto-layout-v2/main.webp) ### AI Auto-Layout Winter Update 9 Min Read](https://www.flux.ai/p/blog/ai-auto-layout-winter-update)[ ![Flux Copilot suspended in space, intellegently scanning electronic components datasheets](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/ditch-datasheets/main.webp) ### Ditch Datasheets with this Flux Copilot Upgrade 2 Min Read](https://www.flux.ai/p/blog/ditch-datasheets-with-this-flux-copilot-upgrade)[ ![Illustration of an astronaut helmet superimposed over a circuit board background, stylized as 'Flux Copilot Vision.' The helmet is detailed with a prominent, reflective visor in shades of purple and white, with a simplified antenna on the side, set against a complex pattern of digital circuits and glowing nodes. This is Copilot Vision, first multi-modal AI for hardware design for electronics and PCB engineers](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/copilot_vision/main.webp) ### Flux Copilot Can Now See 3 Min Read](https://www.flux.ai/p/blog/copilot-can-now-see)[ ![Flux copilot writing and optimizing a firmware code of an electronic project](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/firmware-productivity-with-ai/main.webp) ### AI for Firmware Development: How to Code Firmware Faster 3 Min Read](https://www.flux.ai/p/blog/code-firmware-faster-with-ai)[ ![Research Components Faster with AI](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/ai-component-selection/main.webp) ### Research Components Faster with AI 5 Min Read](https://www.flux.ai/p/blog/research-components-faster-with-ai)[ ![Flux copilot, a hardware design assistant is responding to a user request to provide him drop-in replacement for an electronic component in his project. 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A digital overlay on the image presents a test plan for signal integrity checks, listing steps such as confirming a voltage level of 3.3V, checking for a PWM signal at 1 kHz, and ensuring zero voltage (ground). The layout emphasizes precision and methodical testing in electronic design and development.](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/ai-electronic-testing-and-debugging/main.webp) ### AI for Electronics Testing and Debugging 3 Min Read](https://www.flux.ai/p/blog/ai-for-electronics-testing-and-debugging)[ ![A hardware design assistant wearing a spacesuit helmet, automatically reading test points in a complex printed circuit board and doing design analysis](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/ai-functional-testing/main.webp) ### AI for Functional Testing 4 Min Read](https://www.flux.ai/p/blog/ai-for-functional-testing)[ ![AI design assistant named Copilot wearing a space helmet is scanning an electronic schematic diagram to optimize for production total cost by looking at every single electronic components, stackup configuration and packages](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/ai-driven-cost-optimization/main.webp) ### AI-Driven PCB Cost Optimization 4 Min Read](https://www.flux.ai/p/blog/ai-driven-pcb-cost-optimization)[ ![Simulate Circuits with a Prompt](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/simulate-circuits-with-a-prompt/main.webp) ### Simulate Circuits with a Prompt 5 Min Read](https://www.flux.ai/p/blog/simulate-circuits-with-a-prompt)[ ![Meet Files: AI-Native Project Documentation](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/meet-files-ai-native-project-documentation/main.webp) ### Meet Files: AI-Native Project Documentation 5 Min Read](https://www.flux.ai/p/blog/meet-files-ai-native-project-documentation)[ ![Flux copilot under the hood - an AI agent with access to real tools, structured data, and your active design context. Because it understands your schematic — the parts you’ve used, their interconnections, net names, designators, and annotations — it can reason about your design.](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/flux-copilot-under-the-hood/main.webp) ### Flux Copilot: Under the Hood 8 Min Read](https://www.flux.ai/p/blog/flux-copilot-under-the-hood)[ ![An illustration showing AI-driven PCB design workflows with automated routing and placement optimization](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/how-ai-is-changing-pcb-design/main.webp) ### How AI Is Changing PCB Design 11 Min Read](https://www.flux.ai/p/blog/how-ai-is-changing-pcb-design)[ ![A screenshot displaying the Flux Copilot Chat dialog box on a computer screen, featuring a selection of specialized AI models, each uniquely tailored for various aspects of hardware design.](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/copilot_got_smarter/main.webp) ### Flux Copilot Just Got Smarter 2 Min Read](https://www.flux.ai/p/blog/flux-copilot-just-got-smarter)[ ![An astronaut in silhouette stands on a ledge, gazing at stars and planets that resemble electronic circuits, imagining the endless possibilities Flux Copilot offers in realizing his dream](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/future-of-copilot/main.webp) ### The Future of Flux Copilot 5 Min Read](https://www.flux.ai/p/blog/the-future-of-flux-copilot)[ ![Flux Copilot is creating a block diagram or architectural diagram of an electronic PCB project](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/ai-powered-architecture-design/main.webp) ### AI-Powered Architecture Design 4 Min Read](https://www.flux.ai/p/blog/ai-powered-architecture-design)[ ![An illustration of astronaut helmet spacesuit suspended in space.](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/copilot_v1/main.webp) ### Flux Copilot - The First AI Powered Hardware Design Assistant 8 Min Read](https://www.flux.ai/p/blog/flux-copilot-the-first-ai-powered-hardware-design-assistant)[ ![A schematic diagram with two integrated circuit symbols with a message bubble above it, featuring Copilot AI hardware assistant](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/generative-ai-for-hardware-design/main.webp) ### Generative AI for Hardware Design 3 Min Read](https://www.flux.ai/p/blog/generative-ai-for-hardware-design)[ ![Flux copilot optimizing the initial phase of hardware development process](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/ai-research-and-planning/main.webp) ### AI Research & Planning 5 Min Read](https://www.flux.ai/p/blog/ai-research-planning)[ ![Flux copilot just got smarter, cleaner layouts, fewer bugs. An astronaut traversing the galaxy having full control.](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/copilot-getting-smarter/main.webp) ### Smarter Copilot, Cleaner Layouts, Fewer Bugs 2 Min Read](https://www.flux.ai/p/blog/smarter-copilot-cleaner-layouts-fewer-bugs)[ ![Introducing Copilot Knowledge Base for Flux Engineers](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/how-to-transfer-your-knowledge-to-copilot/main.webp) ### Introducing Copilot Knowledge Base for Flux Engineers 6 Min Read](https://www.flux.ai/p/blog/introducing-copilot-knowledge-base-for-flux-engineers)[ ![Flux + GPT-5 (Beta)](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/flux-and-gpt-5/main.webp) ### Flux + GPT-5 (Beta) 4 Min Read](https://www.flux.ai/p/blog/flux-gpt-5-beta)[ ![Design hardware in the fast lane with Flux's new steerable agent](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/new-steerable-hardware-agent/main.webp) ### Design hardware in the fast lane with Flux's new steerable agent 3 Min Read](https://www.flux.ai/p/blog/new-steerable-hardware-agent) See All (41) ## Let’s start building. Let’s build your idea together. All you need to do is describe what you want to make, or what problem you want to solve. Flux will work with you to make it a reality. [Try it Free](https://www.flux.ai/signup) ![Close-up of a Flux-designed printed circuit board](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/mission-visual.webp)