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Vivado Reference

Free reference guide: Vivado Reference

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About Vivado Reference

The Vivado Reference is a comprehensive, searchable cheat sheet for Xilinx Vivado Design Suite, covering the full FPGA development workflow from project creation to bitstream programming. It includes Tcl commands for project management and non-project mode scripting, XDC constraint syntax for clock definitions, pin assignments, I/O standards, and timing exceptions, as well as IP Catalog operations for creating Clocking Wizards, Block Designs, and AXI interconnects. Each entry provides real-world code examples with inline comments so you can copy commands directly into your Vivado Tcl console or script files.

This reference is built for FPGA engineers, embedded systems developers, and hardware design students who work with Xilinx 7-series, UltraScale, UltraScale+, or Versal devices. Whether you are setting up timing constraints for a DDR interface, inserting ILA debug cores to capture internal signals, configuring synthesis strategies for performance optimization, or automating builds with batch-mode Tcl scripts, every command is organized into logical categories: Project Management, XDC Constraints, IP Management, ILA Debug, Synthesis/Implementation, Programming, and Tcl Utilities.

All content loads and renders entirely in your browser with no server communication. The search bar supports instant filtering across all entries, and the category tabs let you jump directly to the section you need. The interface supports dark mode for comfortable use during late-night debug sessions and works on desktop, tablet, and mobile devices. No Vivado installation is required to browse this reference.

Key Features

  • Complete Tcl command reference for project mode, non-project mode, and batch mode workflows
  • XDC constraint examples covering clock definitions, pin assignments, I/O standards, timing exceptions, and physical constraints
  • IP Catalog commands for Clocking Wizard, Block Design, AXI Interconnect, and HDL wrapper generation
  • ILA, VIO, and mark_debug examples for on-chip hardware debugging and signal capture
  • Synthesis and implementation strategies including opt_design, place_design, route_design directives
  • JTAG programming and SPI flash configuration memory commands with write_cfgmem examples
  • Tcl utility patterns for object filtering (get_cells, get_nets, get_pins) and automation scripts
  • Checkpoint save/restore and incremental compile workflows for faster design iteration

Frequently Asked Questions

What Vivado commands does this reference cover?

This reference covers the most commonly used Vivado Tcl commands organized into seven categories: Project Management (create_project, non-project mode, batch mode), XDC Constraints (create_clock, set_property, set_input_delay, set_false_path, physical constraints), IP Management (create_ip, Block Design, AXI interfaces), ILA Debug (ILA insertion, mark_debug, VIO), Synthesis/Implementation (synth_design options, opt/place/route directives, report commands), Programming (JTAG, SPI flash, write_bitstream), and Tcl Utilities (get_* filters, automation scripts, checkpoints).

Can I use these commands with any Xilinx FPGA family?

Yes. The Tcl commands and XDC syntax shown are compatible with all Vivado-supported device families including Artix-7, Kintex-7, Virtex-7, Zynq-7000, UltraScale, UltraScale+, and Versal. You only need to change the part number in create_project or synth_design commands. Some advanced features like partial reconfiguration or specific IP versions may vary by device family.

What is the difference between project mode and non-project mode?

Project mode uses create_project to manage source files, runs, and results through a .xpr project file, suitable for GUI-based workflows. Non-project mode uses read_vhdl, read_verilog, and synth_design directly in Tcl scripts without a project file, giving full control over the build flow. This reference provides examples for both approaches, plus batch mode execution for CI/CD automation.

How do I use the XDC constraint examples?

Copy the XDC commands into your .xdc constraint file or paste them in the Vivado Tcl console after opening a design. The examples show real syntax for clock constraints (create_clock, create_generated_clock), pin assignments (set_property PACKAGE_PIN), timing exceptions (set_false_path, set_multicycle_path), and physical constraints (Pblock, DONT_TOUCH). Adjust port names, pin numbers, and timing values for your specific design.

How do I add ILA debug cores using these commands?

There are two approaches shown in this reference. First, you can create an ILA IP using create_ip and connect it in your RTL source. Second, you can use mark_debug attributes in your HDL code or XDC file, then run Set Up Debug in Vivado to automatically insert ILA cores. The reference also covers VIO (Virtual I/O) cores for runtime control and monitoring without modifying RTL.

What synthesis and implementation strategies are covered?

The reference includes synth_design directives like PerformanceOptimized and retiming, implementation step directives for opt_design (ExploreWithRemap), place_design (ExtraNetDelay_high), phys_opt_design (AggressiveExplore), and route_design (AggressiveExplore). It also covers project-mode strategy settings and report commands for timing summary, utilization, power, and DRC analysis.

Is this reference useful for Vivado scripting and automation?

Absolutely. The Tcl Utilities section provides patterns for object filtering with get_cells, get_nets, get_pins, and get_ports including hierarchical search and property filters. It also includes automation examples like iterating over timing violation paths, checking utilization percentages, and saving/loading checkpoints for incremental compile workflows. These patterns are directly applicable to CI/CD build scripts.

Is my data safe when using this reference?

Yes. This is a static reference that runs entirely in your browser. No data is sent to any server, stored in databases, or shared with third parties. You can safely browse constraint examples and copy Tcl commands without any privacy concerns. No Vivado license or installation is needed to use this reference.