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Renode#

Use the optional Renode integration to simulate Silicon Labs firmware without connecting a physical board. Simplicity Installer does not install Renode.

The agent uses four skills included with the Simplicity AI SDK:

  • silabs-renode-workflow — Coordinates the end-to-end Renode workflow.

  • renode-custom-hardware — Creates Renode platform description (REPL) files and peripheral models for custom hardware.

  • renode-silabs-app-simulation — Builds and runs the actual SLC or Zephyr ELF, including a two-machine Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) scenario.

  • renode-silabs-vscode-debugger — Attaches the Silicon Labs VS Code debugger to a running Renode session without flashing or resetting.

Set Up Renode (Optional)#

Complete these steps before you ask the agent to run a Renode simulation:

  1. Clone the silabs/release/26q3 branch from SiliconLabsSoftware/renode.

  2. Build that tree from source. Follow the Renode build guide.

  3. Add the renode command on your PATH, or run ./renode from the build directory.

Packages published at builds.renode.io are upstream Renode and do not include the Silicon Labs platforms.

Supported parts and boards are listed in the Silicon Labs Renode repository.

Note: silabs-tool-locator does not locate Renode. You must build Renode from source and make the renode command available.

Example Prompts#

Ask the agent to simulate the open project. A simulation request does not authorize flashing physical hardware.

Simulate this application in Renode and report whether it reaches the expected runtime behavior.
Derive a Renode board model for my custom hardware from the schematic and project configuration, then validate that the platform loads.
Run a two-machine BLE scenario in Renode and show that the devices connect.
Attach the VS Code debugger to the firmware already running in Renode. Do not flash or reset the simulation.

Limitations#

  • Interactive source debugging requires the Silicon Labs VS Code extension and Cortex-Debug.

  • Simulation does not replace validation on physical hardware.

  • Renode does not model every peripheral or radio behavior.

Related Topics#