AI agents
Teach Claude Code to use hdl, and give Copilot agent mode tools to read signals, run testbenches and set breakpoints.
Claude Code#
The hdl command line was designed to be driven by an agent: every command has a --json form, the exit codes are stable, and the bridge lets an agent step the same debug session you are looking at.
Install the skill into your workspace folder:
hdl skill --install # writes .claude/skills/hdl/SKILL.mdYou can also run HDL Studio: Install Claude Skill from the Command Palette. Then ask Claude Code something like “run the testbench and find out why the counter never wraps”. The skill tells it to use hdl run for the assertions, hdl signals and hdl waves for the values, and the bridge commands to step a session you have open.
Language model tools#
For chat participants such as Copilot agent mode, the extension registers three tools. They use the same code as the commands:
Tool (#reference) |
Input | Returns |
|---|---|---|
hdl_read_signals (#hdlSignals) |
filter?, at? |
the hdl signals object, from the live session or the last recording |
hdl_run (#hdlRun) |
testbench?, stopTime? |
the hdl run object, headless; with a debug session open it continues that session to stopTime or the end |
hdl_set_breakpoint (#hdlBreakpoint) |
file, line, condition? |
the hdl break object |