bess

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.

Some of the nice things:

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 Link - Check Here

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

Screenshots - More

Build & Run

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
     

TODO

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