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legacy-circuit-mockups

github/awesome-copilot

Generate breadboard circuit mockups and retro computer schematics using HTML5 Canvas.

What is legacy-circuit-mockups?

A skill for creating visual breadboard layouts and circuit diagrams for vintage electronics and 6502-based projects. Use this when you need to mockup component placements, visualize wire connections, or design circuits with classic ICs like the 555 timer, W65C02S microprocessor, and 7400-series logic gates.

  • Render interactive breadboard layouts on HTML5 Canvas with 20px grid alignment
  • Support 40+ components including W65C02S, 28C256 EEPROM, W65C22 VIA, 555 timers, and 7400-series logic gates
  • Draw wire connections with color coding (red for power, black for ground, blue for address bus, green for data bus)
  • Generate component pinout diagrams and reference tables for microprocessors and ICs
  • Provide step-by-step workflows for common circuits (LED blinker, 555 astable, 6502 layouts)
  • Include resistor calculations, 555 timer formulas, and troubleshooting guides

How to install legacy-circuit-mockups

npx skills add https://github.com/github/awesome-copilot --skill legacy-circuit-mockups
Prerequisites
  • Understanding of component pinouts and breadboard layout conventions (rows, columns, power rails)
  • Familiarity with basic electronics concepts (voltage, current, ground connections)
Claude Code
Cursor
Windsurf
Cline

How to use legacy-circuit-mockups

  1. 1.Describe the circuit you want to mockup (e.g., 'draw a 555 timer astable circuit' or 'show a 6502 with EEPROM and VIA')
  2. 2.Specify components to include and their approximate positions on the breadboard
  3. 3.Request wire connections between components, using color coding for different signal types (power, ground, address, data, control)
  4. 4.Ask for labels, pinout annotations, or calculation references (e.g., 555 frequency formula)
  5. 5.Request troubleshooting guidance if the circuit doesn't behave as expected

Use cases

Good for
  • Visualize a 6502 microcomputer build with address/data bus wiring and address decoding logic
  • Create a 555 timer astable circuit mockup with timing capacitors and resistors
  • Design an LED circuit with current-limiting resistor and power rail connections
  • Generate educational breadboard diagrams for Ben Eater-style retro computing tutorials
  • Mockup a W65C22 VIA interface adapter layout with peripheral connections
Who it's for
  • Electronics hobbyists building retro computers or vintage microprocessor projects
  • Educators creating visual references for digital electronics and microprocessor courses
  • Hardware engineers prototyping 6502-based systems or breadboard designs
  • Students learning circuit design through interactive breadboard visualization

legacy-circuit-mockups FAQ

What breadboard grid spacing does this skill use?

Standard 20px grid spacing. Components snap to grid coordinates using Math.floor(x / 20) * 20 for alignment.

Can I rotate components on the breadboard?

Yes, components support 0°, 90°, 180°, and 270° rotation via the rotation property in the component object.

How do I calculate resistor values for an LED circuit?

Use R = (Vcc - Vled) / Iled. For a 5V supply with a red LED (1.8V) and 20mA current: R = (5 - 1.8) / 0.02 = 160Ω (use 220Ω standard value).

What's the formula for 555 timer frequency in astable mode?

f = 1.44 / ((R1 + 2×R2) × C). Duty cycle is (R1 + R2) / (R1 + 2×R2) × 100%.

Where can I find detailed pinout information for specific ICs?

The skill includes bundled reference files (555.md, 6502.md, 28256-eeprom.md, 7400-series.md) with complete pinout tables and specifications.

Full instructions (SKILL.md)

Source of truth, from github/awesome-copilot.


name: legacy-circuit-mockups description: 'Generate breadboard circuit mockups and visual diagrams using HTML5 Canvas drawing techniques. Use when asked to create circuit layouts, visualize electronic component placements, draw breadboard diagrams, mockup 6502 builds, generate retro computer schematics, or design vintage electronics projects. Supports 555 timers, W65C02S microprocessors, 28C256 EEPROMs, W65C22 VIA chips, 7400-series logic gates, LEDs, resistors, capacitors, switches, buttons, crystals, and wires.'

Legacy Circuit Mockups

A skill for creating breadboard circuit mockups and visual diagrams for retro computing and electronics projects. This skill leverages HTML5 Canvas drawing mechanisms to render interactive circuit layouts featuring vintage components like the 6502 microprocessor, 555 timer ICs, EEPROMs, and 7400-series logic gates.

When to Use This Skill

  • User asks to "create a breadboard layout" or "mockup a circuit"
  • User wants to visualize component placement on a breadboard
  • User needs a visual reference for building a 6502 computer
  • User asks to "draw a circuit" or "diagram electronics"
  • User wants to create educational electronics visuals
  • User mentions Ben Eater tutorials or retro computing projects
  • User asks to mockup 555 timer circuits or LED projects
  • User needs to visualize wire connections between components

Prerequisites

  • Understanding of component pinouts from bundled reference files
  • Knowledge of breadboard layout conventions (rows, columns, power rails)

Supported Components

Microprocessors & Memory

ComponentPinsDescription
W65C02S40-pin DIP8-bit microprocessor with 16-bit address bus
28C25628-pin DIP32KB parallel EEPROM
W65C2240-pin DIPVersatile Interface Adapter (VIA)
6225628-pin DIP32KB static RAM

Logic & Timer ICs

ComponentPinsDescription
NE5558-pin DIPTimer IC for timing and oscillation
740014-pin DIPQuad 2-input NAND gate
740214-pin DIPQuad 2-input NOR gate
740414-pin DIPHex inverter (NOT gate)
740814-pin DIPQuad 2-input AND gate
743214-pin DIPQuad 2-input OR gate

Passive & Active Components

ComponentDescription
LEDLight emitting diode (various colors)
ResistorCurrent limiting (configurable values)
CapacitorFiltering and timing (ceramic/electrolytic)
CrystalClock oscillator
SwitchToggle switch (latching)
ButtonMomentary push button
PotentiometerVariable resistor
PhotoresistorLight-dependent resistor

Grid System

// Standard breadboard grid: 20px spacing
const gridSize = 20;
const cellX = Math.floor(x / gridSize) * gridSize;
const cellY = Math.floor(y / gridSize) * gridSize;

Component Rendering Pattern

// All components follow this structure:
{
  type: 'component-type',
  x: gridX,
  y: gridY,
  width: componentWidth,
  height: componentHeight,
  rotation: 0,  // 0, 90, 180, 270
  properties: { /* component-specific data */ }
}

Wire Connections

// Wire connection format:
{
  start: { x: startX, y: startY },
  end: { x: endX, y: endY },
  color: '#ff0000'  // Wire color coding
}

Step-by-Step Workflows

Creating a Basic LED Circuit Mockup

  1. Define breadboard dimensions and grid
  2. Place power rail connections (+5V and GND)
  3. Add LED component with anode/cathode orientation
  4. Place current-limiting resistor
  5. Draw wire connections between components
  6. Add labels and annotations

Creating a 555 Timer Circuit

  1. Place NE555 IC on breadboard (pins 1-4 left, 5-8 right)
  2. Connect pin 1 (GND) to ground rail
  3. Connect pin 8 (Vcc) to power rail
  4. Add timing resistors and capacitors
  5. Wire trigger and threshold connections
  6. Connect output to LED or other load

Creating a 6502 Microprocessor Layout

  1. Place W65C02S centered on breadboard
  2. Add 28C256 EEPROM for program storage
  3. Place W65C22 VIA for I/O
  4. Add 7400-series logic for address decoding
  5. Wire address bus (A0-A15)
  6. Wire data bus (D0-D7)
  7. Connect control signals (R/W, PHI2, RESB)
  8. Add reset button and clock crystal

Component Pinout Quick Reference

555 Timer (8-pin DIP)

PinNameFunction
1GNDGround (0V)
2TRIGTrigger (< 1/3 Vcc starts timing)
3OUTOutput (source/sink 200mA)
4RESETActive-low reset
5CTRLControl voltage (bypass with 10nF)
6THRThreshold (> 2/3 Vcc resets)
7DISDischarge (open collector)
8VccSupply (+4.5V to +16V)

W65C02S (40-pin DIP) - Key Pins

PinNameFunction
8VDDPower supply
21VSSGround
37PHI2System clock input
40RESBActive-low reset
34RWBRead/Write signal
9-25A0-A15Address bus
26-33D0-D7Data bus

28C256 EEPROM (28-pin DIP) - Key Pins

PinNameFunction
14GNDGround
28VCCPower supply
20CEChip enable (active-low)
22OEOutput enable (active-low)
27WEWrite enable (active-low)
1-10, 21-26A0-A14Address inputs
11-19I/O0-I/O7Data bus

Formulas Reference

Resistor Calculations

  • Ohm's Law: V = I × R
  • LED Current: R = (Vcc - Vled) / Iled
  • Power: P = V × I = I² × R

555 Timer Formulas

Astable Mode:

  • Frequency: f = 1.44 / ((R1 + 2×R2) × C)
  • High time: t₁ = 0.693 × (R1 + R2) × C
  • Low time: t₂ = 0.693 × R2 × C
  • Duty cycle: D = (R1 + R2) / (R1 + 2×R2) × 100%

Monostable Mode:

  • Pulse width: T = 1.1 × R × C

Capacitor Calculations

  • Capacitive reactance: Xc = 1 / (2πfC)
  • Energy stored: E = ½ × C × V²

Color Coding Conventions

Wire Colors

ColorPurpose
Red+5V / Power
BlackGround
YellowClock / Timing
BlueAddress bus
GreenData bus
OrangeControl signals
WhiteGeneral purpose

LED Colors

ColorForward Voltage
Red1.8V - 2.2V
Green2.0V - 2.2V
Yellow2.0V - 2.2V
Blue3.0V - 3.5V
White3.0V - 3.5V

Build Examples

Build 1 — Single LED

Components: Red LED, 220Ω resistor, jumper wires, power source

Steps:

  1. Insert black jumper wire from power GND to row A5
  2. Insert red jumper wire from power +5V to row J5
  3. Place LED with cathode (short leg) in row aligned with GND
  4. Place 220Ω resistor between power and LED anode

Build 2 — 555 Astable Blinker

Components: NE555, LED, resistors (10kΩ, 100kΩ), capacitor (10µF)

Steps:

  1. Place 555 IC straddling center channel
  2. Connect pin 1 to GND, pin 8 to +5V
  3. Connect pin 4 to pin 8 (disable reset)
  4. Wire 10kΩ between pin 7 and +5V
  5. Wire 100kΩ between pins 6 and 7
  6. Wire 10µF between pin 6 and GND
  7. Connect pin 3 (output) to LED circuit

Troubleshooting

IssueSolution
LED doesn't lightCheck polarity (anode to +, cathode to -)
Circuit doesn't powerVerify power rail connections
IC not workingCheck VCC and GND pin connections
555 not oscillatingVerify threshold/trigger capacitor wiring
Microprocessor stuckCheck RESB is HIGH after reset pulse

References

Detailed component specifications are available in the bundled reference files: