Getting started

Kmila brings VHDL editing, simulation and visualization together in a single application, without the need for an FPGA. This guide walks through the basic flow: create a project, write a design, simulate it and read the waveforms.

1. Open Kmila

You have three ways to use it (see Installation):

Browser demo — sign up and try a limited version right here.
Web application (self-hosted) — spin up Kmila with Docker on your own Linux server.
Native application — Windows, macOS, Android or iOS.

2. Create a project

From the projects screen choose Create project or start from one of the included examples (counter, traffic light, shift register, etc.). Each project groups one or more .vhdl files.

3. Write your design

Use the code editor with highlighting and inline diagnostics, or switch to the blocks tab and build the design by dragging pieces: the translator keeps the VHDL and the blocks synchronized in both directions.

entity counter is
  port(clk, rst : in  std_logic;
       q        : out std_logic_vector(3 downto 0));
end counter;

architecture rtl of counter is
  signal cnt : unsigned(3 downto 0);
begin
  process(clk) begin
    if rising_edge(clk) then
      cnt <= cnt + 1;
    end if;
  end process;
  q <= std_logic_vector(cnt);
end architecture;

4. Configure and simulate

In the run bar, define the simulation duration, the system clock and the stimuli for your inputs. Press Run: the engine analyzes the design, resolves the delta cycles and captures every signal transition.

5. Explore the results

Waveforms — trace per signal with zoom, bit-expandable buses and value cursor.
Schematic — the synthesized netlist of your design.
Visual runtime — wire up LEDs, buttons, switches and 7-segment displays.
Export — VCD (compatible with GTKWave), CSV, SVG or PNG.

Next steps

Learn VHDL step by step in the Learn track.
Understand the hardware execution model in Concepts.
Put what you've learned to the test with the Practice challenges.
Check the system architecture to see how everything fits together.