Start a new in-memory layout to draw into.

top_cell: name of the top cell. dbu: database unit in micrometers (0.001 = 1 nm grid). Resets any previous in-memory layout.

Add a rectangle (micrometers) on GDS layer/datatype.

Add a polygon from a list of [x, y] vertices (micrometers).

Add a path: centerline [x, y] points (micrometers) with the given width.

Add a text label at (x, y) micrometers.

Create (or select) a cell and make it the active drawing target.

Subsequent add_box / add_polygon / add_via / add_wire / place_cell calls go into this cell. Use it to build a reusable library cell, then use_cell back to the top and place_cell to instance it. Returns to the top cell with use_cell(top).

Switch the active drawing cell to an existing cell (e.g. the top cell).

Place an instance (or nx*ny array) of cell into the active cell.

orient: r0/r90/r180/r270 (rotation) or m0/m90/... (mirror + rotation). For an array, dx/dy are the column/row pitches in micrometers. Coordinates in um.

Add a via (cut array + enclosing metal on both layers) centred at (x, y).

Builds a rows*cols array of cuts (cut_size, spaced by cut_space) on cut_layer and a metal landing on bottom_layer and top_layer extended by enclosure around the cut array. All dimensions in micrometers.

Add a Manhattan wire: routes through points inserting L-corners so every segment is axis-aligned. horizontal_first chooses the corner direction at each dog-leg. For layer changes, drop an add_via at the turn. Coordinates in um.

Report the current layout: top cell, dbu, layers, bbox, shape count.

Write the current layout to a file (.gds/.oas by extension). Optionally open it in the editor.

Open an existing layout file in KLayout (viewer mode).

Open KLayout in editor mode (-e). With a file: edit it. Without: a blank layout to draw.

Load an existing GDS/OASIS file into the active session for editing.

After loading, keep adding shapes (add_box / add_polygon / ...), inspect or DRC-check it, then save_gds() to write it back. top_cell selects the cell to edit (defaults to the first top cell). Replaces any current in-memory layout.

Inspect a layout: per-layer shape count, area and bbox, plus the cell list.

With path: inspect that file without touching the session. Without it: inspect the current in-memory session. Areas use merged geometry (so overlaps are not double-counted); coordinates are in micrometers.

Run simple DRC rules against a layout and report violations.

Operates on path if given, else the current session. Each rule is a dict (datatype defaults to 0, distances in micrometers):

{"type": "spacing", "layer": L, "datatype": D, "min": um} {"type": "width", "layer": L, "datatype": D, "min": um} {"type": "overlap", "layer": L, "datatype": D, "layer2": L2, "datatype2": D2} {"type": "separation", "layer": L, "datatype": D, "layer2": L2, "datatype2": D2, "min": um} {"type": "enclosure", "layer": L, "datatype": D, "layer2": L2, "datatype2": D2, "min": um}

"spacing" is min space within a layer; "width" is min feature width; "overlap" flags any intersection between two layers (forbidden overlap); "separation" is min space between two layers; "enclosure" requires layer2 to surround layer by min. Up to max_report violation centres are listed per rule.

Execute Python with klayout.db available (advanced).

Injected names: db (klayout.db), klayout, session (current LayoutSession or None), LayoutSession. stdout is captured and returned. A script may rebind session to a new LayoutSession to make it the active layout. Runs locally in-process with full Python access.