BESS (Basic Electrical Simulation Software) is an open-source circuit simulator designed to be accessible, modern, and cross-platform.

The project began as an attempt to remove the barriers students often face when working with existing tools. Many popular circuit simulators are proprietary, restricted to a single operating system, or rely on outdated interfaces. BESS was created to provide a free, user-friendly, and modern alternative that works consistently across platforms. Its goal is to make learning and experimenting with circuits simpler and more approachable for everyone.

1. Very extensible:
   • One can write own plugins in Python to add new components, ui elements, and more.
   • One can write own simulation drivers to add more capablities. Currently I have digital components simulation driver and maths simulation driver.
2. Python plugins support hot reloading, for now only while in debug build.
3. Maintains good fps ~60fps for large components.
4. Verilog script import also works when working with digital components.
5. Cross platform support for windows and linux.

Web Support is currently limited as plugins are not supported for now.

Tested Build On:

• Linux (Arch Linux: Wayland)
• Windows (Running in Github Actions)
• MacOS - Can't test and does need work

Following commands are only valid for Linux. All build scripts live in the scripts/ folder inside the CMake source directory.

1. Clean previous builds (if you are building after another build)

   ./scripts/clean.sh

2. Debug build & run

   ./scripts/build_run_debug.sh

3. Release build

   ./scripts/build_release.sh

   • Copies assets automatically.
   • Binaries will be in bin/Release/x64/.
   • Execute

     cd bin/Release/x64/
     ./Bess

• Architecture Overhaul and Usability Improvements - Details
• Web Support - Kind of done - Check Here
• Architectural Changes
• Good Test Harness
• Stability and UX Improvements