How do I install the Vivado Impl skill?

Run npx skillmds@latest add shinei-nouzen-arch/vivado-impl in your terminal (requires Node.js), paste this page's agent-chat prompt into Claude, Cursor, or any MCP-connected agent, or download the SKILL.md file and copy it into your agent's skills directory.

What does the Vivado Impl skill do?

Use this skill when the user needs Vivado implementation strategy selection or optimization. Covers opt_design, power_opt_design, place_design, phys_opt_design, route_design, implementation directives/options, congestion-driven placement, fanout/placement/routing/SLR/register physical optimization, hold fixing, incremental implementation, ECO flow, and implementation run strategies for performance, congestion, area, and power. This skill chooses implementation-phase tactics and tradeoffs. For TCL command generation/execution use vivado-tcl, for synthesis use vivado-synth, for constraints use vivado-constraints, for report interpretation use vivado-analysis, for end-to-end timing closure use vivado-timing-closure. It is listed under AI & ML on SkillMD.

Is Vivado Impl safe to use?

This skill has not completed SkillMD's automated safety review yet. Independent scanners report: SkillSpector: PASS, Skill Scanner: PASS. Capability flags: docs only. SkillMD never runs a skill's scripts for you; review the SKILL.md before installing.

Which AI agents work with Vivado Impl?

This skill is tagged as working with Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex. SKILL.md is an open format, so most agents that read a skills directory can load it too.

Is Vivado Impl free to use?

Yes. Installing skills from SkillMD is free, and the skill stays under its author's original license.

Who published Vivado Impl?

Shinei-Nouzen-Arch (@shinei-nouzen-arch) published this skill. Their other Agent Skills are listed on their SkillMD profile.

Vivado Impl by shinei-nouzen-arch — Agent Skill

Name: Vivado Impl
Rating: 4.5 (4 reviews)
Author: Shinei-Nouzen-Arch

Vivado Implementation Decision Guide

Based on UG904 (v2025.2). For command syntax and property tables see REFERENCE.md; for report_qor_suggestions RTL optimization examples (UG906 before/after) see examples/ug906/ directory.

Implementation Flow Overview

opt_design          ← Logic optimization (REQUIRED)
  ↓
power_opt_design    ← Clock gating power opt (OPTIONAL, not Versal)
  ↓
place_design        ← Placement (REQUIRED)
  ↓
power_opt_design    ← Post-place power opt (OPTIONAL)
  ↓
phys_opt_design     ← Post-place physical opt (OPTIONAL, recommended)
  ↓
route_design        ← Routing (REQUIRED)
  ↓
phys_opt_design     ← Post-route physical opt (OPTIONAL)
  ↓
write_bitstream     ← Bitstream (all except Versal)
write_device_image  ← Device image (Versal only)

Key rule: All implementation commands are re-entrant — they can be run repeatedly on the same design. Each run optimizes the results of the previous run.

opt_design — Logic Optimization

Directive Decision Table

Scenario	Directive	Effect
Default / first try	`Default`	Default optimization phases
Deep exploration	`Explore`	Multiple passes of optimization
Area reduction (comb)	`ExploreArea`	Multiple passes, emphasis on reducing combinational logic
Area reduction (comb+seq)	`ExploreSequentialArea`	Reduces both combinational and sequential logic
Explore + LUT remap	`ExploreWithRemap`	Explore + Remap optimization
Fast iteration	`RuntimeOptimized`	Minimal optimization passes
QoR-suggested	`RQS`	Uses report_qor_suggestion strategy

Available Optimizations (18 phases)

Phase	Option	Default	Description
1	`-retarget`	ON	Retarget primitives across device families
2	`-propconst`	ON	Constant propagation
3	`-sweep`	ON	Remove loadless cells, tie-off, retarget dual-port→single-port RAM
4	`-muxf_remap`	off	Remap MUXF7/F8/F9 to LUT3 for routability
5	`-carry_remap`	off	Remap short CARRY chains to LUTs
6	`-control_set_merge`	off	Merge equivalent control set drivers
7	`-merge_equivalent_drivers`	off	Merge all equivalent drivers (not just control)
8	`-bufg_opt`	ON	Insert BUFG on high-fanout clock/non-clock nets
9	`-shift_register_opt`	ON	SRL fanout opt + SRL↔register transforms
10	`-mbufg_opt`	off	Replace parallel BUFGCEs with MBUFG (Versal)
11	`-dsp_register_opt`	off	Optimize DSP pipeline registers
12	(auto)	ON	Control Set Reduction (CONTROL_SET_REMAP property)
13	`-hier_fanout_limit <N>`	off	Module-based fanout replication
13	`-control_set_opt`	off	Control Set Optimization (auto-selected candidates)
14	`-remap`	off	Combine cascaded LUTs to reduce logic levels
15	`-resynth_remap`	off	Timing-driven re-synthesis + remap
16	`-resynth_area`	off	Re-synthesis for area (reduce LUTs)
17	`-resynth_seq_area`	off	Re-synthesis for area (comb + sequential)
18	`-bram_power_opt`	ON	Block RAM power optimization (WRITE_MODE)

IMPORTANT: Specifying individual options disables ALL default options. To run defaults + extras: opt_design -retarget -propconst -sweep -bufg_opt -shift_register_opt -bram_power_opt -remap

place_design — Placement

Directive Decision Table

Scenario	Directive	Designs Benefited
Default	`Default`	All
Deep exploration	`Explore`	All (higher effort detail placement)
Aggressive exploration	`AggressiveExplore`	Timing-critical designs
RAM/DSP dense	`WLDrivenBlockPlacement`	Many BRAM/DSP blocks
RAM/DSP dense	`EarlyBlockPlacement`	RAM/DSP as placement anchors
Timing meets post-place but fails post-route	`ExtraNetDelay_high`	Long-distance nets, high fanout
Timing meets post-place but fails post-route	`ExtraNetDelay_low`	Same, lower pessimism
Congestion	`AltSpreadLogic_high`	High connectivity → congestion
Congestion (moderate)	`AltSpreadLogic_medium/low`	Moderate congestion
SSI congestion	`SSI_SpreadLogic_high/low`	SSI devices
SSI SLR balancing	`SSI_SpreadSLLs`	Balance SLL connections across SLRs
SSI SLR balancing	`SSI_BalanceSLLs`	Balance SLLs between SLRs
SSI SLR balancing	`SSI_BalanceSLRs`	Balance cell count between SLRs
SSI high utilization	`SSI_HighUtilSLRs`	Pack logic closer in each SLR
Extra post-place opt	`ExtraPostPlacementOpt`	All
Alternate timing	`ExtraTimingOpt`	Alternative timing-driven algorithms
ML-predicted best	`Auto_1`	Highest confidence ML prediction
ML-predicted 2nd	`Auto_2`	Second best ML prediction
ML-predicted 3rd	`Auto_3`	Third best ML prediction
Fast iteration	`RuntimeOptimized`	Trade QoR for speed
Fastest	`Quick`	Non-timing-driven, minimum legal placement
QoR-suggested	`RQS`	Uses report_qor_suggestion

Key Options

Option	Effect
`-post_place_opt`	Extra timing optimization after placement
`-timing_summary`	Force STA-based timing summary (more accurate, slower)
`-no_timing_driven`	Wirelength-only placement (fastest)
`-no_psip`	Disable Physical Synthesis in Placer
`-no_bufg_opt`	Disable BUFG insertion during placement
`-sll_align_opt`	Align SLL registers for SSI multi-die parts
`-ultrathreads`	Parallel placement across SLRs (UltraScale+ SSI)
`-unplace`	Remove all non-fixed placements

phys_opt_design — Physical Optimization

Two Modes

Post-place: More aggressive, based on placement timing estimates
Post-route: More conservative, uses actual routed delays, auto-updates routing

TIP: Post-route phys_opt is most effective on designs with few failing paths (WNS > -0.200 ns). Designs with > 200 failing endpoints see little improvement.

Directive Decision Table

Scenario	Directive	Effect
Default	`Default`	Default optimizations
Deep exploration	`Explore`	Multi-pass + SLR crossing + critical path final phase
Explore + hold fix	`ExploreWithHoldFix`	Explore + hold violation fixing
Explore + aggressive hold	`ExploreWithAggressiveHoldFix`	Explore + aggressive hold fixing
Most aggressive	`AggressiveExplore`	Allows WNS degradation in SLR crossing opt
Alternative replication	`AlternateReplication`	Different critical cell replication algorithm
Fanout-focused	`AggressiveFanoutOpt`	Aggressive fanout optimization
Add retiming	`AddRetime`	Default flow + register retiming
Aggressive + retiming	`AlternateFlowWithRetiming`	Aggressive replication + DSP/BRAM opt + retiming
Fast	`RuntimeOptimized`	Fewest iterations

Key Individual Options

Setup optimization (post-place defaults):

Option	Description
`-fanout_opt`	Replicate high-fanout net drivers (default post-place)
`-critical_cell_opt`	Replicate cells in failing paths (default post-place)
`-placement_opt`	Re-place critical path cells (default both modes)
`-dsp_register_opt`	Move registers in/out of DSP cells
`-bram_register_opt`	Move registers in/out of BRAM cells
`-uram_register_opt`	Move registers in/out of UltraRAM cells
`-shift_register_opt`	Extract SRL end stages to improve timing
`-restruct_opt`	Swap LUT connections to reduce logic levels
`-lut_opt`	Single LUT movement/replication
`-clock_opt`	Useful clock skew optimization

Routing optimization (post-route defaults):

Option	Description
`-routing_opt`	Re-route critical nets/pins (default post-route)
`-slr_crossing_opt`	Optimize inter-SLR paths (default both modes)
`-critical_pin_opt`	Remap LUT pins to faster physical pins

Hold fixing:

Option	Description
`-hold_fix`	Fix hold violations above threshold
`-aggressive_hold_fix`	Fix more hold violations
`-sll_reg_hold_fix`	SLL register hold fix (UltraScale+)
`-insert_negative_edge_ffs`	Insert neg-edge FFs to split hold paths

Other:

Option	Description
`-retime`	Register retiming (Versal)
`-interconnect_retime`	Interconnect retiming by FF movement (Versal)
`-force_replication_on_nets <nets>`	Force driver replication on specific nets
`-equ_drivers_opt`	Rewire loads to equivalent drivers
`-casc_opt`	LUT cascade optimization (Versal)
`-cell_group_opt`	Critical fanin cone group opt (Versal)
`-bram_enable_opt`	Reverse BRAM power opt on timing-critical enable paths
`-path_groups <args>`	Limit optimization to specific path groups
`-tns_cleanup`	Allow slack degradation if WNS maintained (with -slr_crossing_opt)

route_design — Routing

Directive Decision Table

Scenario	Directive	Effect
Default	`Default`	Default routing
Explore alternatives	`Explore`	Explore different critical path routes (signoff timing)
Aggressive exploration	`AggressiveExplore`	More aggressive thresholds
No timing relaxation	`NoTimingRelaxation`	Never relax timing goals
More iterations	`MoreGlobalIterations`	Detailed timing analysis all stages
Emphasize delay	`HigherDelayCost`	Trade compile time for delay optimization
Fast	`RuntimeOptimized`	Fewest iterations
Congestion	`AlternateCLBRouting`	Alternate CLB routing algorithms
Fastest	`Quick`	Non-timing-driven, minimum legal routing
QoR-suggested	`RQS`	Uses report_qor_suggestion

Key Options

Option	Effect
`-tns_cleanup`	Focus on WNS, fix non-critical failing paths. Use before post-route phys_opt
`-preserve`	Preserve existing routes, route remaining. For pre-routing critical nets
`-nets <net_objects>`	Route only specified nets
`-pins <pin_objects>`	Route only specified pins
`-delay`	Route individual nets with smallest delay
`-auto_delay`	Route with timing-constraint-driven budgets (use with -nets/-pins)
`-max_delay <ps>` / `-min_delay <ps>`	Target delay for pin routing (use with -pins)
`-unroute`	Remove routing (entire design or specific nets/pins)
`-timing_summary`	Force STA timing summary (more accurate)
`-finalize`	Complete partially routed connections (ECO flow)
`-eco`	Incremental ECO routing (faster after small changes)
`-ultrathreads`	Parallel routing (faster, slight variation between runs)
`-no_timing_driven`	Disable timing-driven routing (feasibility test only)

Pre-routing Critical Nets Pattern

# Route top 10 critical nets first with minimum delay
set preRoutes [get_nets -of [get_timing_paths -max_paths 10]]
route_design -nets [get_nets $preRoutes] -delay
# Then route rest preserving critical routes
route_design -preserve

power_opt_design — Power Optimization

# Basic usage (optimize entire design)
power_opt_design

# Control scope
set_power_opt -include_cells [get_cells inst_A]
set_power_opt -exclude_cells [get_cells inst_B]
set_power_opt -cell_types {BRAM}
set_power_opt -clocks {clk1}

Note: Not supported for Versal. BRAM power opt is skipped if already done by opt_design.

Incremental Implementation

Setup

# Non-Project Mode
read_checkpoint -incremental <reference_routed.dcp>
# Automatic incremental (recommended)
read_checkpoint -incremental -auto_incremental <reference.dcp>
# Force incremental even if criteria not met
read_checkpoint -incremental -force_incr <reference.dcp>
# Fix specific objects
read_checkpoint -incremental <ref.dcp> -fix_objects [all_rams]

Incremental Directives

read_checkpoint -incremental -directive <directive> <ref.dcp>

Directive	Effect
`RuntimeOptimized`	Reuse max, target same WNS as reference (default)
`TimingClosure`	Rip up failing paths, try harder to close timing
`Quick`	No timer, fastest, needs WNS > 1.0 ns

Auto Incremental Criteria

Cell matching ≥ 94%
Net matching ≥ 90%
Reference WNS ≥ -0.250 ns

Analysis

report_incremental_reuse -file incr_reuse.rpt

Note: Not supported for Versal.

Congestion Analysis & Resolution

Congestion Levels

Level 5 (32x32 tiles) — warning threshold, expect timing impact
Level 8+ — router early exit, design likely unroutable

Diagnosis

report_design_analysis -congestion -file congestion.rpt
report_route_status -file route_status.rpt

Resolution Decision Tree

Synthesis: Use AlternateRoutability directive, reduce MUXF/CARRY usage
opt_design: Use -muxf_remap, -carry_remap, LUT_DECOMPOSE property
place_design: Use AltSpreadLogic_high or SSI_SpreadLogic_high
route_design: Use AlternateCLBRouting
RTL changes: Reduce fanout, pipeline long paths, reduce resource utilization

Predefined Implementation Strategies (Project Mode)

Performance-focused

Performance_Auto_1/2/3, Performance_Explore, Performance_ExplorePostRoutePhysOpt, Performance_ExploreWithRemap, Performance_WLBlockPlacement, Performance_WLBlockPlacementFanoutOpt, Performance_EarlyBlockPlacement, Performance_NetDelay_high/low, Performance_Retiming, Performance_ExtraTimingOpt, Performance_RefinePlacement, Performance_SpreadSLLs, Performance_BalanceSLLs, Performance_BalanceSLRs, Performance_HighUtilSLRs

Congestion-focused

Congestion_SpreadLogic_high/medium/low, Congestion_SSI_SpreadLogic_high/low

Area-focused

Area_Explore, Area_ExploreSequential, Area_ExploreWithRemap

Vivado Impl

File contents

Vivado Implementation Decision Guide

Implementation Flow Overview

opt_design — Logic Optimization

Directive Decision Table

Available Optimizations (18 phases)

place_design — Placement

Directive Decision Table

Key Options

phys_opt_design — Physical Optimization

Two Modes

Directive Decision Table

Key Individual Options

route_design — Routing

Directive Decision Table

Key Options

Pre-routing Critical Nets Pattern

power_opt_design — Power Optimization

Incremental Implementation

Setup

Incremental Directives

Auto Incremental Criteria

Analysis

Congestion Analysis & Resolution

Congestion Levels

Diagnosis

Resolution Decision Tree

Predefined Implementation Strategies (Project Mode)

Performance-focused

Congestion-focused

Area-focused

Frequently asked questions

Vivado Impl

File contents

Vivado Implementation Decision Guide

Implementation Flow Overview

opt_design — Logic Optimization

Directive Decision Table

Available Optimizations (18 phases)

place_design — Placement

Directive Decision Table

Key Options

phys_opt_design — Physical Optimization

Two Modes

Directive Decision Table

Key Individual Options

route_design — Routing

Directive Decision Table

Key Options

Pre-routing Critical Nets Pattern

power_opt_design — Power Optimization

Incremental Implementation

Setup

Incremental Directives

Auto Incremental Criteria

Analysis

Congestion Analysis & Resolution

Congestion Levels

Diagnosis

Resolution Decision Tree

Predefined Implementation Strategies (Project Mode)

Performance-focused

Congestion-focused

Area-focused

Related skills

Frequently asked questions

How do I install the Vivado Impl skill?

What does the Vivado Impl skill do?

Is Vivado Impl safe to use?

Which AI agents work with Vivado Impl?

Is Vivado Impl free to use?

Who published Vivado Impl?