PROTOFLOW/Docs

File Management

File Management

ProtoFlow supports multiple file formats, KiCad interoperability, drag-and-drop file import, auto-save with session recovery, and project-level organization.

# Supported Formats

FormatExtensionImportExportNotes
ProtoFlow Native.protoflow✓✓Full-fidelity format preserving all features
KiCad Schematic.kicad_sch✓✓Full schematic interoperability
KiCad Symbol Library.kicad_sym✓—Import component symbols
EasyEDA (via conversion).json✓—Converted to KiCad format first
PNG Image.png—✓Rasterized schematic export
PDF Document.pdf—✓Vector schematic export
CSV (BOM).csv—✓Bill of Materials export

# Import & Export

Importing Files

There are multiple ways to import files into ProtoFlow:

  • File menu — Use File → Open to browse and select a file
  • Drag and drop — Drag a file directly from your file system onto the ProtoFlow window
  • AI import — Ask the AI to import a file by providing the path
  • Recent files — Quickly re-open recently accessed files from the welcome screen

Exporting Files

Export your schematic to various formats:

  • Export to KiCad — Creates a .kicad_sch file compatible with KiCad 7+
  • Export to PNG — High-resolution raster image of your schematic
  • Export to PDF — Vector PDF document suitable for printing and sharing
  • Export BOM — CSV file with component list, quantities, and pricing
[ Screenshot ]

Export dialog showing format options and export settings

# KiCad Integration

ProtoFlow is designed to work seamlessly with KiCad. You can start a design in ProtoFlow and continue it in KiCad, or import existing KiCad projects for AI-assisted modifications.

Import Features

  • Full parsing of KiCad schematic format
  • Component symbols, values, and properties preserved
  • Wire connections and net labels maintained
  • Power symbols and ground references imported correctly
  • Custom footprint resolution during import
  • Multi-file import dialog for importing multiple schematics at once

Export Features

  • Generates valid KiCad 7+ schematic files
  • Preserves all component properties and footprint assignments
  • Comments and annotations are embedded in the export
  • Net labels and power symbols export with correct naming

Workflow Tip

Use ProtoFlow for rapid schematic design with AI assistance, then export to KiCad for PCB layout. This gives you the best of both worlds — AI-powered schematic capture and KiCad's mature PCB design tools.

# Auto-Save & Recovery

ProtoFlow automatically saves your work to prevent data loss from crashes or unexpected closures.

Features

  • Periodic auto-save — Your schematic is saved automatically at configurable intervals
  • Session recovery — If ProtoFlow closes unexpectedly, your last session is restored on the next launch
  • Unsaved changes warning — ProtoFlow warns you before closing if there are unsaved changes
  • Recent files — Quickly access your most recently opened files from the welcome screen
  • File locking — Indicators show when a file is being edited by another process

Next Steps