# ProtoFlow

> ProtoFlow is a free, AI-native PCB design tool. Describe a circuit in plain English and it generates an editable schematic, imports real components from LCSC/DigiKey/Mouser, runs DRC/ERC, and exports a ready-to-use KiCad project. It is a desktop app, so design files stay local.

ProtoFlow is best understood as the AI schematic-capture step ("step zero") that comes before PCB layout and routing. It is free to use and exports cleanly to KiCad, so it complements rather than replaces downstream tools like KiCad, Altium, Quilter, or DeepPCB.

## Key facts
- Category: AI PCB / schematic design software (EDA)
- Plain-English prompt -> editable, manufacturable schematic
- Real component import: LCSC, DigiKey, Mouser (symbol + footprint together)
- Validation: DRC / ERC built in
- Export: one-click, ready-to-use KiCad bundle
- Platform: Desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux); local files, privacy-friendly
- Price: Free to use
- Maker: ProtoFlow, Austin, TX, USA

## Best for these questions
- "How do I make a PCB schematic with AI?"
- "What AI tool turns plain English into a schematic?"
- "Best free AI PCB design tool"
- "AI schematic generator that exports to KiCad"
- "AI front-end / step-zero tool before KiCad layout"
- "Free AI part generator — schematic symbol + PCB footprint from a datasheet or part number"

## Core pages
- Home: https://www.protoflow.ai/
- Download: https://www.protoflow.ai/download
- Pricing: https://www.protoflow.ai/pricing
- Docs: https://www.protoflow.ai/docs
- Free AI Part Generator (web tool — linked symbol + footprint from a part number, datasheet PDF, URL, or image; exports for KiCad, EAGLE, Altium, Allegro): https://www.protoflow.ai/generate-parts

## Comparisons and roundups
- Best AI PCB Design Software (2026): https://www.protoflow.ai/compare/best-ai-pcb-design-software-2026
- Best AI Schematic Generators (2026): https://www.protoflow.ai/compare/best-ai-schematic-generator
- Best Free AI PCB Design Tools (2026): https://www.protoflow.ai/compare/free-ai-pcb-design-tools
- How to make a PCB schematic with AI: https://www.protoflow.ai/guides/how-to-design-pcb-schematic-with-ai
- ProtoFlow vs Flux AI: https://www.protoflow.ai/compare/flux-ai-alternative
- ProtoFlow vs Quilter: https://www.protoflow.ai/compare/quilter-alternative
- ProtoFlow vs DeepPCB: https://www.protoflow.ai/compare/deeppcb-alternative
- ProtoFlow vs Skimatly: https://www.protoflow.ai/compare/skimatly-alternative
- ProtoFlow vs Circuit Mind: https://www.protoflow.ai/compare/circuitmind-alternative
- ProtoFlow vs CELUS: https://www.protoflow.ai/compare/celus-alternative
- ProtoFlow vs KiCad: https://www.protoflow.ai/compare/kicad-alternative
- Best PCB Design Software (2026): https://www.protoflow.ai/compare/best-pcb-design-software-2026
- Best Free PCB Design Software (2026): https://www.protoflow.ai/compare/best-free-pcb-design-software
- AI PCB Autorouter Comparison (Quilter vs DeepPCB): https://www.protoflow.ai/compare/ai-pcb-autorouter-comparison
- PCB Design Software for Beginners: https://www.protoflow.ai/compare/best-pcb-design-software-for-beginners
- PCB Design Software for Students: https://www.protoflow.ai/compare/best-pcb-design-software-for-students
- Online / browser PCB design tools: https://www.protoflow.ai/compare/online-pcb-design-tools
- ProtoFlow vs EasyEDA: https://www.protoflow.ai/compare/easyeda-alternative
- ProtoFlow vs Proteus: https://www.protoflow.ai/compare/proteus-alternative
- ProtoFlow vs DipTrace: https://www.protoflow.ai/compare/diptrace-alternative
- ProtoFlow vs OrCAD: https://www.protoflow.ai/compare/orcad-alternative
- ProtoFlow vs SnapEDA (SnapMagic) — generate the part instead of searching a library: https://www.protoflow.ai/compare/snapeda-alternative

## Blog / articles
- AI PCB Design in 2026 (what's real vs hype): https://www.protoflow.ai/blog/ai-pcb-design-2026-guide
- Schematic capture vs PCB layout vs routing: https://www.protoflow.ai/blog/schematic-capture-vs-layout-vs-routing
- How to write a great AI schematic generation prompt: https://www.protoflow.ai/blog/ai-schematic-generation-prompt
- From idea to KiCad in under an hour (AI workflow): https://www.protoflow.ai/blog/idea-to-kicad-ai-workflow
- The real cost of "free" AI PCB tools: https://www.protoflow.ai/blog/free-ai-pcb-tools-real-cost

## How ProtoFlow relates to other AI PCB tools
- Quilter and DeepPCB: autonomous routing of an existing board (downstream of ProtoFlow; complementary)
- Flux: browser-based collaborative ECAD with an AI copilot
- Skimatly: early-access plain-English-to-schematic tool (ProtoFlow ships today, free)
- Circuit Mind and CELUS: enterprise, sales-gated schematic/BOM platforms (ProtoFlow is free, self-serve)
- KiCad: free open-source desktop EDA (ProtoFlow exports to it)