Using Checkpoints to Save and Restore Design Snapshots - 2023.1 English

Vivado Design Suite User Guide: Implementation (UG904)

Document ID
UG904
Release Date
2023-05-16
Version
2023.1 English

The Vivado Design Suite uses a physical design database to store placement and routing information. Design checkpoint files (.dcp) allow you to save and restore this physical database at key points in the design flow. A checkpoint is a snapshot of a design at a specific point in the flow.

This design checkpoint file includes:

  • Current netlist, including any optimizations made during implementation
  • Design constraints
  • Implementation results

Checkpoint designs can be run through the remainder of the design flow using Tcl commands. They cannot be modified with new design sources.

Important: In Project Mode, the Vivado design tools automatically save and restore checkpoints as the design progresses. In Non-Project Mode, you must save checkpoints at appropriate stages of the design flow, otherwise, progress is lost.