Ltspice

LTSpice workflow

Start with a runnable netlist and a clean batch simulation. Use plotting and GUI steps only after the run succeeds.

Default tool ladder

1. create_rc_transient_netlist(...) for a minimal example, or create_simulation_session(netlist_text) for a real case.
2. run_simulation(netlist_path, session_dir) to generate the raw and log files.
3. read_simulation_log(log_file_path) if the run fails or looks suspicious.
4. list_available_traces(raw_file_path) before requesting plots.
5. plot_specific_traces(raw_file_path, session_dir, trace_names) for focused waveform review.
6. view_netlist_in_ltspice(netlist_path) only when the GUI is actually needed.

Working rules

• Do not ask for broad plotting until the log is clean and the available traces are known.
• Simplify the netlist and shorten the run before tuning tolerances.
• Use a minimal reproducible circuit to debug startup or convergence issues.

Deliver

• The netlist used and whether the batch run succeeded.
• The traces inspected.
• The likely root cause if the simulation misbehaved.