NextBoard skill
A hardware planning skill compares board architectures and components, then prepares a proposal and bill of materials
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Extended access
Why this level
- The agent downloads component datasheets and writes project documents.
- The plugin can add session-start hooks in supported installation modes.
Install
- Works in
In your terminal, with SkillFoxx CLI
npx skillfoxx add skills/nextboardDetects the agents on your machine, shows the access level and pins the version.
Other ways to install
Access and checks
How we reviewExtended accessThe tool runs code or makes network calls and only reads external data.
- The agent downloads component datasheets and writes project documents.
- The plugin can add session-start hooks in supported installation modes.
This is third-party code. Review the repository files before installing.
What it does
NextBoard guides an agent from device requirements to a proposal a hardware engineer can review. It compares architectures, selects chips and links choices to component datasheets. Key decisions must explain cost, power and availability tradeoffs. A separate reviewer agent checks completeness, cost and feasibility. Deliverables include a bill of materials, technical documents and a validation plan.
Who it is for. For hardware engineers and device developers preparing a justified board proposal before detailed schematics.
Good fit when
- Choose a controller architecture for a power budget
- Compare Chinese and international components
- Prepare a parts list and datasheets for engineering review
- Review an existing schematic or bill of materials
Not a fit when
- You need a certified production design immediately
- You only need a PCB drawing application
- The agent cannot access component information online
Example request
Propose board options for a battery-powered sensor. Compare power use and component availability.Limitations
Selecting key components requires supplier pages and manufacturer datasheets; missing documents need manual follow-up. Global installation adds the skill and reviewer agent, but hooks do not work in that mode. Restart the session after installation so the client reloads its skill list. KiCad and the supported Chinese EDA schematic formats require a compatible MCP server; without one, output falls back to a structured connection table.
How to disable. Run `./scripts/install.sh --uninstall` from the repository checkout, then restart the client.
FAQ
How do I invoke the skill?
Enter `$hardware-solution` in a supported client after restarting the session.
Can it review an existing BOM?
Yes. It includes component, schematic and supply-chain review checklists.
What does the reviewer agent do?
It checks the proposal for completeness, cost and other engineering criteria.
Where are component documents saved?
In the project’s `docs/hardware/datasheets/` and `docs/hardware/footprints/` directories.
Can I start with a quick draft?
Yes. Quick mode records assumptions for review after the proposal is prepared.
Discussion
No questions or reviews yet.
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README in short
The workflow uses staged checks. Quick mode records assumptions, while professional mode confirms unresolved requirements one at a time.
README badge
Original SKILL.md
--- name: hardware-solution description: "Use when the user needs embedded hardware architecture, MCU/SoC selection, power tree design, interface planning, sensor/actuator selection, RF/connectivity, BOM risk assessment, PCB/layout constraints, schematic-ready proposals, validation plans, or hardware design review." --- # Hardware Solution ## 工作方式 把自己当成硬件方案架构师，而不是只给器件列表。先收敛约束，再做架构取舍，最后输出可评审、可落地、可交给硬件工程师画原理图的方案。 ## 必要输入 优先确认这些信息；如果用户已经给出足够上下文，不要机械追问，直接进入方案。 - 产品形态、使用场景、工作环境、尺寸约束。 - 核心功能、传感器/执行器/人机交互需求。 - 性能指标：算力、实时性、采样率、精度、带宽、启动时间。 - 供电来源、功耗目标、续航目标、充电/保护要求。 - 通信接口：有线、无线、调试、升级、产测。 - 成本、量产规模、供货区域、认证要求、生命周期。 - 已指定平台、器件、库存、供应商或禁用方案。 ## 流程 0. **模式选择（首先执行）：** 进入流程前先询问用户选择工作模式： - **快速模式**：跳过逐项确认，对未提供的约束自动按合理假设推进，快速输出完整方案。适合原型验证、技术预研、个人项目。仍输出假设清单供用户事后审阅。 - **专业模式**：严格执行需求冻结，所有"待确认"项逐一确认，每次只问 1 个问题。适合量产项目、团队协作、正式交付。 1. 读取 [references/design-workflow.md](references/design-workflow.md)，按阶段推进，不要跳过需求冻结和风险澄清。 2. 先给用户一个"需求澄清选择题"：用 2-4 个具体选项确认优先级、成本/功耗/周期取向、国内/海外/混合供应链偏好。**专业模式下：所有标记为"待确认"的约束项必须逐一向用户确认，不能默认跳过或自行假设。每次只问 1 个问题，等用户回复后再问下一个，严禁一次性列出多个问题。每个问题必须提供具体选项 + 一个"自定义输入"选项，让用户可以填写自己的答案。** **快速模式下：列出需求表和假设清单，用户可一次性确认或修改，无需逐项问答。** 用户选择或授权基于假设推进后，才能进入深入选型。 3. 如果是从零设计，先输出 3 类候选架构并比较取舍：国产芯片/国产供应链优先、海外主流生态优先、混合折中方案。若某类不适用，必须说明原因；如果是评审已有方案，直接进入风险审查和改进建议。 4. 关键器件和功能模块器件必须附带：采购链接（国内电商平台或分销商页面 URL，优先淘宝/立创商城/嘉立创 > 授权分销商 > 原厂官网）、datasheet 下载链接（优先 AllDatasheet > 立创商城 > 半导小芯 > 原厂官网）、封装文件下载链接（优先立创 EDA 封装库/华秋 DFM 封装库 > 嘉立创封装库 > SnapEDA/Ultra Librarian > 原厂）。无法提供时标注"需联网查证"。被动元件（电阻、电容、电感等通用规格件）不需要提供链接和资料下载。 - 关键 IC：MCU、PMIC、收发器、传感器、ADC/DAC 等核心芯片 - 功能模块器件：晶振、连接器、ESD/TVS 保护、存储芯片、负载开关、LDO 等 5. Gate 3 通过后，询问用户使用的 EDA 工具，然后批量下载已选的关键 IC 和功能模块器件的 datasheet（PDF）和对应格式的封装文件，保存至 `docs/hardware/datasheets/` 和 `docs/hardware/footprints/` 目录。被动元件不下载（EDA 库中通常已有）。**下载前先读取 [references/download-sources.md](references/download-sources.md)，优先使用已验证的源；下载成功后将新记录追加到该文件；下载失败也记录到"已知失败源"避免重复尝试。** 必须严格按优先级顺序尝试下载源（AllDatasheet > 立创 > 半导小芯 > 原厂），禁止直接跳到原厂站点。遇到反爬、动态页面、非 PDF 响应时立即跳过该源尝试下一个，全部失败则标注"需手动下载"并附可用链接。禁止保存非 PDF 文件到 datasheets 目录。 6. 需要交付正式方案时，使用 [references/output-template.md](references/output-template.md) 的结构输出。 7. 需要评审原理图、PCB、BOM 或量产风险时，读取 [references/review-checklists.md](references/review-checklists.md)。 8. 涉及关键芯片选型、供应链、认证或替代料时，读取 [references/sourcing-and-risk.md](references/sourcing-and-risk.md)；涉及国产芯片、国内元器件渠道或国产替代时，同时读取 [references/domestic-sources.md](references/domestic-sources.md)。 9. 每个阶段结束前，读取 [references/verification-gates.md](references/verification-gates.md) 确认门控通过。