Parts: Add / Edit / Custom

Search the parts library, edit part properties, create blank custom parts, and manage part templates.

Goal

Find the right parts for your design, customize them when needed, and understand how part templates keep everything in sync.

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Adding parts from the library

1

Open the Parts Bin

Click the cuboid icon in the left sidebar. The Parts Bin slides open, showing available parts as visual cards with domain badges.

2

Search for a part

Type a name, keyword, or description into the search bar. Protoboard uses AI-powered semantic search with keyword fallback, so natural queries like "3.3V voltage regulator" or "I2C accelerometer" return relevant results.

Can't find what you need? Use the Request Part button in the Parts Bin to submit a request. The ProtoPart library is growing continuously.

3

Filter by domain

Narrow results by selecting a domain filter:

• Electrical

• Mechanical

• Pneumatic

• Hydraulic

• Network

4

Place the part

Drag a part card from the library onto the canvas. An orange preview follows your cursor. Release to place.

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Part properties

Every part has a set of properties that define what it is and how it connects to other parts:

Identity

• Name: display name on the canvas

• Categories: classification tags

• Description: what the part does

• Manufacturer: who makes it

• Part number: manufacturer reference

• Datasheet URL: link to the official datasheet

Technical

• Domains: which system domains the part belongs to (Electrical, Mechanical, etc.)

• Resources: the internal capabilities the part offers (GPIO pins, power rails, communication peripherals, etc.)

• Interfaces: the external connection points other parts can link to (I2C bus, UART port, power input, etc.)

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Editing a part

Select any part on the canvas and open the Inspector panel to view and edit its properties. You can modify the part name, description, and all technical fields.

Edits apply to the part's template within your project. Other boards using the same template are not affected unless you explicitly push changes.

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Part templates

Parts in Protoboard are managed through templates. When you add a part from the library, a project-local copy of its template is created. This system lets you customize parts without affecting the shared library.

Template sync status

Status	Meaning
Synced	Your local template matches the library version
Ahead	You have made local edits not yet in the library
Local-only	This template exists only in your project (e.g., blank parts)
Broken	The template reference is invalid or the library version was removed

Template actions

• Edit JSON: directly edit the template definition for advanced users

• Pull latest: update your local template to match the current library version

• Clone: create a duplicate template for experimentation

• Delete: remove the template from your project

• Import: bring in a template from a file or another source

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Creating blank (custom) parts

When the library does not have what you need, create a blank part from scratch.

1

Start a blank part

In the Parts Bin, select the option to create a Blank Part. A new empty part is added to your canvas.

2

Set the minimum required fields

Every part needs at least:

1. Identifier: a unique name

2. At least one domain: such as Electrical or Mechanical

3. Resources: the internal functions the part provides

4. Interfaces: the connection points other parts can use

If any of these four fields are missing, the part will not pass validation and cannot be connected properly.

3

Fill in additional details

Add a description, manufacturer info, datasheet link, and any other properties to make the part useful for your team and for BOM generation.

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Common failures

My custom part does not appear as connectable

Make sure you have defined at least one interface with a valid protocol type and role. Parts without interfaces have no connection points for harnesses.

Search is not returning the part I expect

Try different keywords or a more descriptive phrase. The AI search understands intent, so "motor controller for DC brushed" may work better than a specific part number. You can also filter by domain to narrow results.

My part template shows "Broken" status

This means the library version the template references no longer exists. You can continue using your local copy, or delete the template and re-add the part from the library.

I edited a part but the changes are not showing on the canvas

Ensure you saved your edits in the Inspector. If you edited the JSON directly, check for syntax errors that might prevent the changes from being applied.

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Related pages

• Canvas Basics: place and arrange parts on the canvas

• Connections & Compatibility: connect parts and check compatibility

• Validation (DRC): verify that parts are properly configured

• BOM + Export: see your parts in the bill of materials