In this episode of electronics.dev, Seve (founder of tscircuit) and Matt (founder of atopile) break down a quiet revolution in electronics: designing circuit boards with code and compiler-like workflows, not traditional schematics.

They dive into:

* Why traditional EDA tools limit innovation

* How constraints, templates, and AI are unlocking more expressive, testable circuit design

* The surprising overlap between web layout (CSS) and PCB layout

* How tools like atopile let you think in relationships, not in traces

* What “spatial reasoning” really means for engineers, and why half of us may be bad at it

* Why autonomous layout and reference design matching will change everything

Along the way, the duo shares reflections on:

* The enduring power of sketching in engineering

* Using AI as a design partner (and critique engine)

* How mechanical and electronics design differ, and what each can learn from the other

* Why circuit fabrication is standardized, but placement logic is still tribal knowledge

If you’ve ever written hardware configuration code, fought with schematic tools, or dreamt of a world where hardware is as programmable and composable as software, this episode is for you.

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