---
name: "graywolf"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "graywolf"
version: "0.1.6-4+b2"
release: "Debian 12 (Bookworm)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/graywolf"
---

# graywolf(1)

placement tool for digital VLSI design

## NAME

**graywolf** - placement tool for digital VLSI design

## SYNOPSIS

```
graywolf [options] designName [windowId] [flowdirectory]
```

## DESCRIPTION

**This is a utility used to perform placement of digital VLSI designs. It is** **based on some code from the early 90s and it is one of the building blocks** **of the open source qflow digital design flow.**

## OPTIONS

- **-n**

  **no graphics**

- **-d**

  **prints debug info and performs extensive error checking**

- **-g**

  **general mode**

- **-p**

  **pick mode**

- **-w**

  **parasite mode will inherit a window**

## USAGE

**Typically, you would be in a directory with a \[DESIGN\].cel file and a \[DESIGN\].par file and then run:**

```
   graywolf [DESIGN]
```

**where \[DESIGN\] is the file name of the design. More information about the input and output files is found below.**

**However, it is recommended to use the qflow digital design flow instead of running graywolf directly. qflow prepares** **the input files from standardized files, and converts the output to standardized files.**

## INPUT

**Two input files are necessary to run graywolf. A .cel file containing the design, and a .par file containing the parameters which define the technology. The .cel file may be created from a .blif design file and a .lef library file with the script "blif2cel.tcl" in the qflow package.**

## OUTPUT

**The main output from graywolf is a .pl1 file containing the layout of the design. This may be converted to a .def file using the script "place2def.tcl" in the qflow package. A .def file is a standardized description of a layout.**

## SEE ALSO

**[qflow(1)](/qflow/1.md)**

## AUTHOR

**This manual page was written by Ruben Undheim \<ruben.undheim@gmail.com\> for the Debian project (and may be used by others).**