Basic Non-project Mode Tcl Commands - UG1192

AMD Design Conversion for Altera FPGAs and SoCs Methodology Guide (UG1192)

Document ID
UG1192
Release Date
2025-07-15
Revision
3.0.1 English
Note: This is not a complete reference for the available Tcl commands.
Table 1. Basic Non-project Mode Tcl Commands
Command Description
GUI Commands
start_gui Opens the Vivado IDE with the current design in memory.

stop_gui

Closes the Vivado IDE with the current design in memory.
Adding Design Sources
read_verilog Reads Verilog (.v) and System Verilog (.sv) source files
read_vhdl Reads the VHDL (.vhd or .vhdl) source files.
read_edif Reads an EDIF netlist file into the design source fileset of the current project.
read_ip Reads existing IP (.xci) project files.
read_xdc Reads .sdc or .xdc format constraints source.
read_bd Reads existing IP integrator block designs (.bd)
read_checkpoint Reads a design checkpoint (.dcp) into the in-memory design.
Compilation

link_design

Loads a synthesized design.
synth_design Synthesizes the design.
opt_design Performs high-level design optimization.
power_opt_design Performs intelligent clock gating to reduce overall system power (optional).
place_design Places the design.
phys_opt_design

Performs physical logic optimization to improve timing or routeability (optional).

route_design Routes the design.
Analysis 1
report_timing_summary Generate a timing summary to help understand if the design has met timing requirements.
report_methodology Runs a specified set of methodology checks, reporting any errors or violations.
report_design_analysis Provides timing data on critical path characteristics and complexity of the design to help identify and analyze problem areas that are subject to timing closure issues and routing congestion.
report_qor_suggestions Report design and tool option recommendations related to improving the quality of results (QoR).
report_qor_assessment Checks for potential issues in the design and evaluates the likelihood of meeting design goals.
report_drc Runs design rule checks.
Data Management
set_property Assign a property value to a design object.
write_bitstream Generates a bitstream file and runs DRCs.
open_checkpoint Load a design checkpoint (DCP) which is snapshot containing the netlist, constraints, and physical data.
write_checkpoint Saves the design (DCP file) at any point in the flow.
  1. Vivado tools have many reporting commands not listed, all beginning with report. Most reports can be run at any stage of implementation. Check the Tcl Commands Listed By Category topic in the Vivado Design Suite Tcl Command Reference Guide (UG835) for a complete list.