# gdsfactory/gdsfactory

A Python library for designing chips (Photonics, Analog, Quantum, MEMS), PCBs, and 3D-printable objects. We aim to make hardware design accessible, intuitive, and fun—empowering everyone to build the future.

Repository: https://github.com/gdsfactory/gdsfactory
Canonical: https://ross.abutalabs.com/products/gdsfactory
Homepage: https://gdsfactory.com
Language: Python
License: MIT
License Family: permissive
Topics: python, gdsii, gds, eda, photonics, klayout, simulation, gdsfactory, 3d-printing, hardware, pcb-layout, cad
Last push: 2026-09-02T09:11:56+00:00

## Health v2 (maintenance only)
Score: 95/100 (v2, computed 2026-09-03T02:39:23.370411+00:00)
- activity 100, release rhythm 87, longevity 100
- inputs: {"age_days": 2351, "days_push": 0, "days_rel": 8, "gap_med": 2, "n_releases_24m": 194}
- flags: none
- formula: round(0.45*activity + 0.35*rhythm + 0.20*longevity); archived -> min(score, 10)

## Adoption (not part of the score)
Stars 1023, forks 428 (observed 2026-09-03T02:15:12.252576+00:00)

## What it is
GDSFactory is a Python library for programmatically designing chips (photonics, analog, quantum, MEMS), PCBs, and 3D-printable objects. Users write Python code that generates CAD files such as GDS, OASIS, STL, and GERBER, with built-in support for PDKs, DRC/LVS verification, and electromagnetic/circuit simulation.

## Use cases
- design photonic integrated circuits in python
- generate GDS layout files programmatically
- run DRC and LVS verification on chip layouts
- simulate photonic components with FDTD or EME solvers
- design PCBs and 3D-printable objects from code
- build parametric cell components for a foundry PDK
- automate chip design flows with reproducible scripts

## When to choose
- you want scriptable, reproducible hardware layout instead of manual CAD drawing
- you work in photonics, analog, quantum, or MEMS chip design and need PDK support
- you need an end-to-end open-source flow from layout to simulation and verification
- you prefer defining designs as Python code with version control

## When to avoid
- you need a purely graphical point-and-click CAD tool without coding
- you only need schematic capture without layout generation
- your target foundry requires proprietary EDA toolchains

## Facets
- artifact type: library
- maturity: active
- function: simulation, graphics, developer-tools, sdk
- domain: hardware, simulation, computer-vision, developer-tools
- platform: python, cross-platform, cli
- tags: eda, photonics, gdsii, chip-design, pcb-layout, cad, klayout, pdk, 3d-printing, mems, quantum, analog, automation

## Member repositories
- gdsfactory/gdsfactory (main) score 95

## Provenance
- Observed fields: from GitHub, fetched 2026-09-03T02:15:12.252576+00:00.
- Health v2: computed from the inputs above; adoption is never an input.
- Inferred fields (summary, facets, guidance): AI-extracted, prompt v1, taxonomy v1, on 2026-08-30T07:08:43.925685+00:00, confidence not recorded.
  - readme: https://github.com/gdsfactory/gdsfactory (fetched 2026-09-03T02:15:12.252576+00:00, sha 2d2988f60a7c)
  - homepage: https://gdsfactory.com (fetched 2026-08-29T13:09:02.755843+00:00, sha c577ced62bc0)
- Data as of 2026-08-30T08:39:29.467469+00:00.